Before Starting: Create a "lastname_CD" folder on your network space. All of the work for this project 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.

Overview: In the spirit of the "small business graphic designer" assignments that we have had throughout the semester, students will now design a CD cover, including logo typography for the work of a musical group.

"Research" into the CD:  Each student has been randomly selected to create the cover design and layout for currently existing work of musical artists. As it is difficult to know how to design a CD covering without hearing the music of the CD, there are two samples of music from each CD. Students should listen to these samples and incorporate the "FEELING" of the music into their covers. In addition, I have included REVIEWS and COMMENTS regarding each CD, for your use as needed.

Research into Past Editions of the CD:  It is STRONGLY advised that the student does not research the look of the actual or original cover of the CD/Album in question. This will only cloud your creative process in coming up with your own work.

The CDS:

Required Elements of your CD Design:  Make sure to include ALL OF the following items in some form on your CD:

• RESTRICT YOUR WORK TO THE CONFINES OF THE CD TEMPLATE!
• A TYPOGRAPHIC LOGO representation of the Group or Artist’s name. Create this graphic on a separate file and copy it into your CD project when needed. Please save this file as a .JPG into your “lastname_CD” folder (See TYPOGRAPHY below)
• 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. Make sure to include the TITLE OF THE CD into your design. Use ANY skills that you have developed over the year- blending, cutout, filter, etc. 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!
• Text for the spine of the CD which includes the Group or Artist’s Name and the title of the CD.
• Graphics for the back of the CD which follow a similar theme to the CD. On the back of the album, you will include all of the songs of the Song Listing.
• Include the production company information on the back of the CD as well.
• Place your Artist and CD Title graphics onto the cover of your CD as you see fit to enhance the look of the work.
• You may incorporate a photograph of the artist or group into your CD graphics if you wish, but it is not required.

Typography Issues:  Many bands and artists over the years have come up with band name "Logos" that represent the artists. In addition, album names are often presented in a Typographically interesting way. For example, see the album covers below, each demonstrates a band's typographic logo, as well as typographic album information. Please take this into account when creating your CD cover:

Things You Should Also Consider:  Please take into account some of the "Unity/Emphasis" Design Techniques that we talked about last semester when creating your design.

At Your Disposal, Should You Wish:  If necessary, feel free to see Mr. B. about the use of a camera to take photographs that you might need for your cover.  (finding specific photographic subjects, especially people, using our network filtration system can be very difficult.) 

CD COVER:  Using Photoshop or Illustrator or a combination of the two and the CD_Cover_Template.PSD, create your CD cover, using any or all of the following techniques.

Submitting Your Work: When you have completed your CD Cover, do the following:

• Save your file as a .JPG File, call it "lastname_CD.jpg". Save this file to the DROPBOX.

Grading: This assignment will be worth 200 points total, with the breakdown of points as follows:

• Inclusion of all required elements= 100 points (Typographic Logo file= 50 points) .
• Aesthetic qualities of the CD Design= 100 points.
• Failure to save CD product as a .JPG file= -50 points.