Today, I have started practicing a design for the front and back cover of the CD Digipak for the album, 'Lenka', using Adobe Photoshop Elements. During each process, I print-screen every step to show the development of the practice design. I quite like the final outcome of this design of the CD Digipak as it is quite bright and vivid which would appeal to my audience and also the simplicity of the design reflects the genre of folk-pop. I have used the photoshop image that I created of Lenka as I really liked the image and was planning of creating a similar concept for my actual CD Digipak.
This is the outcome of the first design that I have created and practiced for my CD Digipak:
Step 1- using photoshop image I created for the front cover:
Here, I have used the photoshop image that I created and have placed it on the front cover of the CD Digipak. I really like the layout of the image as it makes the front cover really interesting but also quite edgy and quirky like the look that the artist, Lenka tries to portray.
Step 2- placing sunny background image for back cover:
For the next step, I used the same sunny background and placed it on the back cover of the Digipak. I decided to use the same background as I like the feel of the continuity through the CD Digipak on the front and back. For a different design, I will try putting different images for the front and back cover and see how different it would look like.
Step 3- flipping sunny background image:
After placing the sunny image on the back cover, I thought that it didn't look that interesting so I decided to flip the image so the sun is on the other side. I did this by going on 'Image' on the bar at the top and then on 'Rotate' and clicking on 'Flip Layer Horizontal'. This made the image look more appealing and carries a sense of continuity on the covers of the CD Digipak as both images of the cloud fit together in the middle of the spine, making the front and back cover of the Digipak seem as one big cover.
Step 4- adjusting lighting:
I then wanted to adjust the lighting as I wanted the image to be a little bit darker so that it creates that contrast to the front cover of the CD Digipak. I also wanted it to be darker as when I apply the text on the back cover, it would make the writing stand out more. To adjust the lighting, I went on 'Enhance' on the top bar and then went on 'Adjust Lighting'and clicked on 'Shadows/Highlights'. After clicking 'Shadows/Highlights', a box appeared where there were different options which you can adjust the 'Lighten Shadows', 'Darken Highlights' and 'Midtone Contrast'. I was happy with the adjustments made and the look of it so I clicked 'Ok' and it applied to my design.
Step 5- adding text on front and back cover:
For the next step, I added text on the front cover where typically on the CD Digipak the album and artist name is on. As both the album and artist name is called Lenka, I decided to have both texts in a different colour. I have used white and yellow as it is bright and would stand out on the front cover. Also the brightness and vivid writing would reflect the happy and care-free nature of the genre folk-pop but also the personality of the artist. For both writing on the front cover, I have used the font 'Party LET' as it looked really fun and creative but also quite quirky reflecting the artist's Lenka. Also it looked really appealing and interesting. For the back cover, I have used the colour black for the writing of the track listing as it would also stand out and look bolder. I have also used the font 'Party LET' as I really liked the effect and looks really eye-catching. I decided to place the track listing on the right of the back cover as I did not want the writing to cover the image of the sun so the back cover would look more interesting and striking.
Step 6- using opacity tool on back cover:
After including the text on the back cover of the CD Digipak, I thought that the text was not that clear and hard to read as the background is dark and the writing is black. To make the writing clearer and readable, I used the opacity tool and made the background a little bit more transparent to 82%. This made the track listing stand out more as the black writing is against a lighter background.
Step 7- adding my barcode:
As all CD Digipaks have a barcode, using my own barcode that I generated, I added it on the back cover of the Digipak where it is typically seen and placed. This makes it more personalised and unique from other CD Digipaks.
Step 8- adjusting and changing opacity on front cover text:
I then went back to the text on the front cover of the album and artist's name as I wanted to adjust the yellow text of the album name more closer up to the white text so it looks more related but also like a shadow. I then adjusted the opacity of the yellow writing to 70% so it makes it look more interesting and also the opacity makes the writing look more like a shadow of the white writing.
Step 9- adding record label:
Typically the back cover of a CD Digipak contains the record label, so I got the image of the record label of the album, 'epic' so I could place it on the back cover of the Digipak to make it look more professional. I then cut around the logo using the lasso tool leaving the white background behind. I then used a soft eraser to rub out and fine the edges. To do this, I had to zoom in so I would get a better and bigger picture of the record label, so rubbing out the edges made it easier and more accurate. After fining the edges, I placed it next to the barcode on the back cover and adjusted the size of the record label to make it look more professional.
Step 10- creating spine:
The last thing I had left to finish my CD Digipaks is the spine and typically it consists a record label and the artist's and album name. To make it easier to make the spine, I duplicated the layers of the record label and the text of the album and artist's name. I then made all these aspects smaller and rotated it so it fit into the spine.
I really like this design that I have created as it looks really interesting and appealing but also simple. It is also easier to create for my actual CD Digipak as the photos of these images are easily taken and replicated. I am now going to practice more and produce more designs to create different looks which I can consider to develop for my actual CD Digipak. I am also going to start taking my own photographs which I could use for my CD Digipak.
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