Graphic Design
FALL Semester 2018
Final Examination

FINAL FOR TYLER JOHNSON

Instructions: Please read all of the following information carefully:

Create a new folder on your network space, call it “lastname_final.” All of the work for this final 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_final folder. Open this file in Photoshop.

This final 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, such as the UNITY/EMPHASIS assignments.

THE MINI-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: Country
Artist: Texas Renegade
Album Title: "3 a.m."
Short Review:

Texas Renegade has been called “the real deal” by Cheatham Street Warehouse owner and songwriter Kent Finlay. Their unique mix of harmonica and mandolin as the lead instruments has helped to make them one of the most refreshing and memorable up and coming bands on the Texas music scene. The band consists of 5 talented musicians from the Central Texas area of Wimberley. In addition to being the resident songwriter, Andy Bertelsen sings lead and plays guitar. On mandolin, acoustic guitar and vocal harmony is Tyson Carver. Kasey Klepfer wails on the harmonica while Eli Carver (Tyson’s twin brother) on bass and Matt Pigg on drums makes up the band’s rhythm section.

3a.m., the bands self released debut CD contains 15 original songs. Fan and industry approval is high for this young band as proven by the numerous awards and accolades that they have received over the past two years. Jason Allen who produced 3a.m. was awarded the 2005 MTM Producer of the Year for his part while Kasey Klepfer walked away with the prestigious Musician of the Year Award. The September issue of Best in Texas Magazine featured the band in their Stars on the Horizon section. Texas Renegade was honored to be named the 2006 MTM Live Band of the Year at the Texas Music Awards. The band is currently recording their second CD with a tentative release slated for early 2007.
Sound clips from your album:

-Clip #1: 3 a.m.

-Clip #2: Way I Am
Song Listing:

1. 3am- 4:19
2. Down the Line- 4:21
3. Flite Acres Road- 4:42
4. Be Alright- 6:24
5. Way I Am- 4:07
6. Waiting On Time- 4:26
7. Best Asset- 3:22
8. I Need Love- 5:06
9. Good Day to Start- 5:01
10. South of Sanity- 4:47
11. Don't Wanna Wake Up- 5:19
Production Company: ©2007 Smith Entertainment

PLEASE SAVE EARLY AND OFTEN!

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_final” folder. You will be creating your CD cover on this Photoshop file.

You will be creating the following for your CD graphics:

  1. 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!
  2. Text for the spine of the CD which includes the Group or Artist’s Name and the title of the CD.
  3. 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 AND Track Times. Please put these in a PLEASING AND ARTISTIC manner! DO NOT SIMPLY copy and paste these words across the back of your CD cover, DESIGN THEM!
  4. Include the production company information on the back of the CD as well.
  5. 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 and place them onto your CD TEMPLATE canvas.

When you have completed your design, please save the work as a .JPG file and place it into your “lastname_final” folder in your NETWORK DRIVE. THEN EMAIL YOUR COMPLETED JPG FILE TO pburkhard@weldre9.k12.co.us.