Creating my Final CD Digipak (Outside Cover)

Today in my double lessons, I have created the oustide cover of my final CD Digipak. Using the photos that I have taken of Ellie and the yellow artificial flower, I was able to create this finish look of my outside cover of the Digipak. I really like the outcome of this outside cover for my final Digipak as it looks really creative and fun. It also reflects the genre of the artist being folk-pop as it is simple but it also shows the quirky image of Lenka. I like this cover as it is colourful and bright which would appeal to the consumers and would catch their attention. I also like how there is the colour theme of yellow running through all the covers of the CD Digipak as the colour yellow conveys happiness and fun which reflects the artist's nature. I also created the front and back cover with the same theme as I feel as though having the same theme would show continuity and add more interest.

Here is the outside cover that I have created for my final CD Digipak:

Step 1- colouring the background:

Like the practice design 2, I first coloured the background yellow to give the CD Digipak some colour. This made the Digipak more colourful and brighter, making it more appealing and eye-catching.

Step 2- placing the portrait on the front cover:

I then chose the image of the portrait and using the lasso tool, I cut around it and feathered the image. I then used a soft eraser to soften the edges, making the image more sophisticated and refined. After placing the portrait in the right position on the front cover, I felt that the portrait was not that interesting or appealing as it was quite dark. I then decided to brighten the image and also the contrast, making the portrait more vivid and vibrant so that it was more eye-catching and striking.

Step 3- placing the flower on the Digipak:

I then used the flower and cut around it using the lasso tool. Before cutting it, I used the feather tool to soften the edges so it gives a smoother look. After cutting the flower, I changed the lighting and the contrast of the flower so it seemed brighter and more interesting. I then arranged the flowers in a order where it made the Digipak looked more appealing and eye-catching.

Step 4- cutting out the petal of the flower and arranging it on the back cover:

I then took the flower image again and cut the petal shape out using the lasso tool and feathering it. After, I pasted the petal on the back cover, i felt that it looked a it dull so I changed the lighting and contrast more so that it also stands out like the flowers on the Digipak. On the back cover, I then arranged the petals so that it looks like it is falling off the flower and flowing to make the image look more creative and unique. I duplicated the layer of the petal so it was easier to create the image.

Step 5- adding the 'cutout' effect and brightening the image:

From the practice design 2 that I created, I liked the 'cutout' effect that I added so I decided to use it in my final CD Digipak and I applied it for all the flowers and petal. However, I did not really like the outcome of the effect that it had on this flower. To make it more interesting and striking, I brightened the flowers and petals and changed the contrast so that it would be more eye-catching and appealing. 

Step 6- adding and adjusting text:

After adding the main images of the outside cover of the Digipak, I then added the album and artist's name on the front and the track listing on the back cover using the 'Party LET' font. The artist's name and the album name is the same so I only have the name once on the front cover. With this name, I decided to change the style of the text to make it more creative and interesting. I used the wave style and adjusted the shape and size of the text. For the track listing, I decided to also change the style of the text as I feel that it would be more creative and also look quite quirky. I used the warp text tool and selected the arc style as I wanted the text to be more rounded. I then arranged each song of the track listing so that it would all fit on the back cover. For the album and artist's name on the front cover, I changed the opacity of the text so that it was more subtle and would make the Digipak more refined.

Step 7- finishing off the Digipak- adding other elements and adjusting the Digipak:

To finish off the CD Digipak, I added the barcode, the record company label and the small print on the back cover. I then added the album and artist name and the record company label on the spine as these element are included in a typical CD Digipak. I also adjusted a few things and added a flower below the name on the front cover to make it more interesting and quirky but also more appealing and refined.