The Process Of Creating My CD CoverBethany White

Firstly, I took a variety of different photographs. In these photographs, I experimented with different camera angles and different positions for the model. It was important to convey the emotion that the album includes through the positioning of the model.

The first photograph that I took was of the model underneath a large tree. I chose this particular location as it seems very minimal and natural. This hints to the consumer of the album that the songs included aren’t too complex and spread messages that would be considered as being important and have meaning.

I then chose for the model to pose in this specific way to show his vulnerability and sensitivity. This also would link to the songs on the album as they are emotional in the way they are written and also could be seen as being relatable for the consumer. The songs on the album are very open and honest contrasting against the models pose which seems rather closed.

In my final edit of the photograph, I have added text. This text includes the name of the artist/band and the name of the album. For the name of the band, I chose Blink - Line. This is because I still wanted my album to be based on the band, Kodaline, so I fused the word blink with the word line in order to create Blink – Line, which would be more of a tribute title.

Firstly, I edited my original photograph by increasing the brightness and contrast. This meant that the photograph seemed more enhanced and clearer to the viewer

Increasing the exposure meant that the photograph seemed to stand out more than it had originally done and the colours became sharper.

By increasing the vibrance, I was able to ensure that the grass stood out – especially the few blades of grass and straw that overlap the model emphasising the relaxed and natural feel of the album.

My second edit is formed by using a similar photograph to my first edit. I made the focus of my second edit about experimenting with different colours and removing colour altogether in specific areas. The colours and tones used within my edit would have given the album more of a punk/pop feel instead of being soft rock/indie which is the main genre that I was meant to be focusing on. This edit also doesn’t look as real and natural as the first edit meaning that the specific message that I wanted to convey through the album cover wouldn’t have been conveyed through this design.

The text that I have added is of a similar style to the text used on Kodaline’s albums, but after receiving feedback, I was advised that the text should be more spread out and should match the text that would be shown on the traycard at the back of the album.

I edited this photograph by completely changing the brightness and contrast. This is shown in the vibrancy of the grass which contrasts against the black and white colouring of the model where colour has been removed. This was in order to achieve the dark colours usually associated with rock albums, although I found that it was far to dark and heavy for the specific style of rock that I am basing my album on.

I then decreased the exposure so that more shade was being created underneath the tree making the background stand out less so the main focus was actually on the model rather than his environment.

My third shot was taken in exactly the same position, but I zoomed in on the model and part of his environment in this photograph. With this particular shot, I tried experimenting with using a mixture of black and white tones and vibrant colours by splitting the photograph in half. I did this in order to symbolise happiness and sadness as I feel that the songs included on the album vary between these two emotions. I also ensured that the font for the text that I used was fairly simple in order to link my CD cover design back to Kodaline and the style of writing that is included on their album covers.

Within my edit I have ensured that the different tones of colour used on the coloured areas are bright in order to create more of a contrast between the black and white filter. By making the coloured tones a lot brighter, I am able to emphasise the positive messages spread through many of the songs on the album, whereas the black and white filter helps to emphasise the slightly more emotional and heart felt messages that are conveyed through many of the songs on the album.

I edited my photograph so that one half of the photograph is still in colour whereas the other half has a black and white filter. I have done this to show experimentation in the editing of this particular design. I have kept the text as being simple so that it links back to the band that I was basing my CD cover on.

In the coloured section of my design, I have tried to make the colours more enhanced by increasing the brightness and contrast and the exposure creating a contrast against the black and white filter.

My fourth shot was taken at a different angle but the model was still in the same position as in the other shots. This meant that a different perspective on the subject was given. In this photograph, I ensured that the simplicity of the other shots were carried through enabling this design to link to the band, Kodaline. This is because on many of their album covers, they keep the designs simple ensuring that they reflect the more emotional side to the album. Yet again, I made sure that the font of the text was also simple linking back to the band. This may mean that the band are less concerned over the image and style of the band but more concerned over the message that is spread throughout their songs.

I edited my photograph so that the colours were a lot brighter and more vivid creating a contrast against the colour that has been removed from the model. This is so that the CD cover design reflects the selection of songs that are on the album ranging from slow and emotional songs to more upbeat and fast paced songs. Next, I made the text so that it was fairly simple but stood out due to the underlining of the bands name. This would result in the CD being easier to find as it is clearly marked.

I increased the brightness and contrast first in order to make the photograph seem more enhanced making it stand out more. Although, I did not make the tones within the photograph too bright as I felt that they needed to be calming rather than being harsh and bold. This reflects the bands genre of music and the way in which their music usually sounds.I made sure that the font of the text was simple but was also considered to be bold. This is because I wanted the text to link to the text that appears on many of Kodaline’s album covers which also is fairly simple. I made sure that the bands name was slightly larger in size compared to the name of the album for identification purposes, as it is easier for a consumer to identify a CD by the band or artist’s name rather than the album name.

My first shot for my traycard was taken using the same model and in a similar location to that on the CD front cover. This is so that both photographs easily link to one another and highlight the running theme throughout the album. I purposefully have made sure that the models true identity is not revealed as the band that I am basing my CD cover n often don’t appear on the front covers of their albums, instead they use models. I have carried this through to my work making sure that not only do I use a model, but also I have kept it so that his face is also hidden. This means that the style and image of the band is less important than the messages that are conveyed throughout each of their songs.

I have edited this particular photograph so that the colour has been removed from the background but still remains on the model. This is reversed compared to some of the edits that I have completed for the front cover of the CD case which show the background in colour and the model in black and white. I have kept the colour on the mode so that the front cover is able to link to the traycard meaning that overall, the whole of the CD will be easier to identify.I have also kept the same font on the traycard as on the front cover so that a similar theme of simplicity is carried out throughout the whole of the album making it more about the music rather than the image of the band.

I have edited this photograph so that the background seems a lot darker than the model meaning that it is bolder and also creates a contrast between the two tonal qualities. It also creates a certain level of calmness within the environment reflecting the style in music that is included within the album.

I also increased the brightness and contrast so that the colours on the models clothing became more enhanced and vivid making the model stand out more compared to his background.

Additionally, I then added the track listings, copyright information and a barcode. All of these little details make the album seem slightly more professional that it originally would have been without them. The track listings are needed to be able to identify which songs are included on this album. The copyright information I needed to display the restrictions that come with buying an album similar to this. Finally, the barcode is for complete professionalism and also to understand whether a space was left for a barcode on the design of the traycard or whether it just needs to be placed over the top of the original design.

The second shot is exactly the same shot used as my first shot for my traycard. I have used the same shot so that I am able to experiment more with the layout of my traycard rather than different edits.I have purposefully taken a photograph with the models head turned so that we, as the viewer, are not able to identify them. This is pre-planned as I am basing my CD cover and traycard on the band Kodaline, who also do not like to show their identity on the covers of their albums. This may symbolise that they care more about their music and the message that is conveyed within their music than their style as a band and how popular they are.

I edited the photograph so that it seemed more enhanced and a lot brighter. I made the image smaller so that most of the traycard was taken up by a block colour of grey making the overall CD seem fairly minimalist emphasising the simplicity of the band, much like Kodaline. Next, I then included the track listings, copyright information and a barcode so that the traycard seemed slightly more professional and of a higher quality. I listed the tracks in their order but I staggered the text to add slightly more character to the traycard so it didn’t seem as bland. This could also symbolise how each song on the album helps the consumer of the album to ‘build – up’ an overall perspective of the band through each song. I then added copyright information to display restrictions that come with consuming this album, but most importantly, the copyright information makes the overall design of the traycard look more professional. I then added a barcode to also make the CD look more professional but also to give the consumer the ability to pay for it using more technological based items.

I increased the brightness and contrast on the photograph so that it would seem more enhanced, but also stood out against the slightly more bland colour of grey that takes up most of the area of the traycard. This means that more of a contrast was created.

I then increased the vibrance of the photograph so that the green colour of the grass also stood out along with the colouring of the models clothing making the photograph seem more vivid and clearer to see.

By increasing the exposure of the photograph as well, I was able to make the photograph easier to see and a lot more enhanced resulting in it standing out.

My Final Edits For The Front Cover And Traycard