CD-3
Instructions: Please read all of the following information carefully:
Create a new folder on your “My Documents on daisy” student folder, call it “lastname_CD.” All of the work for this CD will be saved into this folder and the folder will be submitted for grading. Download the file called "CD_Cover_Template.PSD" and save it into your Lastname_CD folder. Open this file in Photoshop.
This CD is a “mini project” which will allow you to demonstrate
all of the skills that you have learned over the year. It is primarily a “Graphic
Design Process” exercise, but please make sure to incorporate as much
of your learning as you can into the project:
•
Filters • Blending Options • Fills
•
Layer Blends • Attach Text to Path • Cutting Objects from Backgrounds
•
Shapes • Strokes • Image Adjustments
•
Patterns • Gradients • Transformations
In addition, I would like to see evidence of the various Visual Communications exercises which we did this year, as well as some of the “History of Graphic Design” problems completed this semester.
THE PROJECT:
You are a graphic designer and you have been given the opportunity to create the CD graphics for a new album. Before you get started, you should review the following information regarding your album:
| Genre: | Alternative |
| Artist: | Every Avenue |
| Album Title: | "Picture Perfect" |
| Short Review: | It’s been a little over a year and a half since Every Avenue released their debut album for Fearless Records and it would seem the group has barely had a break since. Selling over 20,000 copies and being able to tour the world doesn’t come for just any band, but those who are driven by true passion for music and that has always been the first thing anyone whose seen Every Avenue live have noticed. Regardless of the venue or crowd, they always put their all into their art and it’s paid off, but now comes the true challenge: The Sophomore release. Many bands have fallen victim to the fabled “Sophomore Slump” over the years and now it’s time to see if Every Avenue’s Picture Perfect has what it takes to carry the band even further into their already impressive careers. Every Avenue have shown ridiculously impressive growth on the music front. While still sticking to their pop rock with the occasional synth line style, the group’s use of accents, time, and key changes completely caught me off guard. I mean, one would assume with similar subject material would come a similar sound, but there is something remarkable about the sheer force of the instrumentation on this release [insert a big thumbs to Mitch Allen and Mike Green whose production work on the record is simply something to be heard]. In particular, I would like to mention two tracks on the record that really stood out to me. “Happy The Hard Way,” a pop rock/ballad hybrid is destined to keeping sad teens company for months to come. The impressive force of the musical accompaniment that I mentioned earlier really comes through here and takes you fro where you are to the world of Every Avenue. Also, the album’s opener “For Always, Forever” has some of the most impressively descriptive lyrics that I’ve found in this genre in a long time. It’s ridiculously catchy and though it’s specifically references elements of growing up in Michigan, I’m sure almost anyone will be able to relate to the emotions conveyed on this track. Though at times, like any act, Every Avenue can slip into the cliche realm of pop rock, their Sophomore release deals its fair share of scene goodness. When it comes to Picutre Perfect, the hooks are bigger, the guitars are louder, and the results are nothing short of impressive. It’s on album number two and three that the bands really showcase whether or not they have staying power and if this album is any sign, we can expect to see a lot more from Every Avenue in the coming years. |
| Sound clips from your album: | -Clip #1: For Always Forever -Clip #2: Picture Perfect |
| Song Listing: | 1. For Always, Forever |
| Production Company: | ©2009, Fearless Records, Inc. |
NOTE: I HIGHLY recommend that you do not look up the actual graphics of this album, or if you are familiar with the album, put the graphics out of your mind, as preconceived notions will make this assignment MORE difficult, not easier.
To start, download this template file for your CD graphics and save it in to your “lastname_CD” folder. You will be creating your CD cover on this Photoshop file.
You will be creating the following for your CD graphics:
1. A nice typographic representation of the Group or Artist’s name, as
well as a typographic representation of the title of the Album (these SHOULD
NOT look the same!) Create these two graphics on separate files and copy them
into your CD project when needed. Please save these two files as .JPGs into
your “lastname_CD” folder.
2. Graphics for the front cover of the CD (and possibly continuing onto the
back cover, as well) which fit the mood and theme of the Album. This is where
much of your Graphic talent with Photoshop will come in. Use your blending,
cutout and filter skills here! Feel free to get images from the Internet, as
needed, to bring about your graphic. Remember, the Template is the outside
border of your CD, do not go over it!
3. Text for the spine of the CD which includes the Group or Artist’s
Name and the title of the CD.
4. Graphics for the back of the CD which follow a similar theme to the CD.
On the back of the album, you will include the Song Listing.
5. Include the production company information on the back of the CD as well.
6. Place your Artist and CD Title graphics onto the cover of your CD as you
see fit to enhance the look of the work.
When you have completed your design, please save the work as a .JPG file and
place it into your “lastname_CD” folder. Using “My Computer,” COPY
your “lastname_CD” folder to the class drop box on the M: Drive.
(If necessary, see highlandtechnology.org FAQ page regarding this step)