Fitting The Covers To The Template

During the design stages of the album cover, I didn't consider the specific measurements I would need to set the canvas to on Photoshop in order to make sure everything fits to an accurate template. I had measured an CD cover and used these measurements to scale my images.

After getting hold of an accurate template, I managed to change the image and canvas size in order to make sure it fits perfectly to the measurements I need to abide by.

Here is a screenshot taken of the images I have fitted to the template so far.

Back Cover Progress

After much thought on what images to use for the back cover of my CD cover as well as the layout of the cover, I decided on a design that related to the other covers on the case with a 'unorthodox' layout with the text which is shown as slanted. This is against tradition of cd covers and is not usually seen on CD covers.

I have also thought about the genre of music and my target audience and therefore included 'cool' and 'trendy' images which relate to the music video and grab my audience's attention.

Here is a screenshot of the finished back cover.

Album Cover - Back Cover

After a lot of thought about the back cover of the CD case, I decided that I wanted to use one of the images I took whilst in London filming.

As I took my fish-eye lens, I managed to take a lot of good quality and effective shots of scenery and locations around London.

Here is an example of one of the photos I took whilst in London which I would like to use as the back cover and place track names on top of the image to the left where there is space.

Unorthodox Album Cover - Inspiration

Due to the fact James and I need to create an album cover which relates to the song title 'Unorthodox', we have decided to do some detailed research into album covers that use an unorthodox theme in which to attract their target audience.

Here is an example I found.

I feel this album cover focuses on a simple image of a man standing in a soldier-like position and then having a large amount of hands behind him coming from all directions. This shows how a simple image can be turned into something quirky and eye-catching.

I would like to use a similar idea with my album cover whereby I use the images taken in the studio and then add effects and filters and editing images so they have a greater impact on the human eye in order to make the album cover appealing to my target audience and symbolic of the hip-hop genre.

Album Cover - Inside Covers Progression

My original idea for the 2 inside covers was to split an image taken of Nick and I facing each other. I have decided that the most recent front cover idea is very reflective of the song title, therefore I feel that including an image of both artists, Nick and I, on the inside covers would be a nice touch and would appeal to the target audience for this genre of music.

I have decided to split another image of Nick and I in half and place one image on the right hand cover and one on the left which will become effective when the case is opened as the two images will essentially come apart.

Here are the 2 images I wish to use for the inside covers.

Album Cover Issue

After finishing the basic idea to the album cover, I began to try and connect the song title 'Unorthodox' and the design I had come up with. Due to the fact 'Unorthodox' means 'not following trends' and going 'against a stereotype', I feel that my album cover idea does not reflect the word 'Unorthodox'.

As a result, I am going to try some different filters on Photoshop and also make the whole idea behind the front of the album cover more 'fun' and 'countertype' so that my audience needs are better met and the song title is reflected in the aesthetics.

CD Cover Without Text

James and I have just completed putting the border onto the album cover and now we are going to add the text which will say 'Unorthodox'.

Here is the album cover so far.

Inside Covers - Album Cover

For both inside covers, James and I have decided to use an image of me on the left cover and Nick on the right-hand cover. We are planning on using this image and cutting both of us out of it in order to put them on both inside covers. This is the un-edited image which we will probably use to create this effect.

Meeting Audience Needs - Album Cover

Throughout the planning stages for our album cover, James and I constantly referred to our audience and what they would like and what would attract them. 

Our 3 segment idea appeals to the audience due to the fact they can relate to the artists and the mild humour of the images. Although this is a simple idea, I believe it will be very effective and will certainly make it stand out in stores etc. 

Album Cover Photos

Here are the images we are going to use for our album cover in the order they will be in. We are in the process of editing the images so that they are split into segments on the cover and are 6cm x 6cm so they fit on the cover perfectly which measures 12cm x 12cm.

4 Segment Album Cover

I have found an album cover that is split into four segments which include an image in each. This album cover is by 'The Game' and this rap/hip-hop group are very well known and this particular album cover will appeal to all their fans. The album cover consists of a storyboard-type theme with various images of lego men in various scenarios.

There is no clear implication as to why 'The Game' have decided to use lego men on their album cover; however, the men do resemble the artists in the band and this will be immediately obvious to the audience.

This is the main reason as to why I thought that doing something similar to this would be effective as the audience of our song would recognise Nick and I as the artists in the song.