CD-16

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 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: Rock
Artist: Evans Blue
Album Title: "The Melody and the Energetic Nature of Volume"
Short Review:

Few bands come onto the scene with something as strong as Evans Blue's "The Melody And The Energetic Nature Of Volume." Their debut combines both a familiar, radio-ready sound, with an inventive style all their own. Sure, listening to a few songs, you're going to be reminded of bands ranging from Staind to A Perfect Circle to Taproot (whom they've also shared the stage with) but there is also something different about Evans Blue. There's an edge to these songs that most bands don't have. Some songs are just as interesting and unique as their titles (i.e. "A Cross And A Girl Named Blessed"). The vocals are just as big as the music, without being drowned. The songwriting is engaging and relateable, without sounding like a retread. They are cryptic at times, and at others, accessible.

The first few songs of the album probably have the biggest potential for big hits, with "Cold ("But I'm Still Here)" being the most recognizable of the bunch. To me, the mid-section of the album remains the strongest. "Possession," a Sarah McLachlan cover, comes unexpected and is pulled off effortlessly. The original remains unrecognizable under Evans Blue's sound. "Eclipsed" and "Beg" are possibly the best of the album, as they manage to wrap all things Evans Blue into one package. "The Quote," being the closing number, obviously sends the album out on a high note. A song that you will probably remember the lyrics too after just a few listens. Overall, it's a really strong album, but I feel that something is missing. Maybe just a little shred more of originality? But as it stands, these guys are onto a great thing. Fans of the genre who are looking for a little refreshment are urged to look into Evans Blue and their album "The Melody And The Energetic Nature Of Volume."
Sound clips from your album:

-Clip #1: Stop and Say You Love Me

-Clip #2: Possession
Song Listing:

1. A Cross and a Girl Named Blessed
2. Stop and Say You Love Me
3. Cold (But I'm Still Here)
4. Eclipsed
5. Beg
6. Over
7. Possession
8. Dark That Follows
9. The Promise and The Threat
10. Quote
11. The Tease
Production Company: ©2006, Hollywood 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)