CD Jacket Design

Package Design for a Music CD or Video Game

Due:
One week

Project Description:
Using both Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, create a package design for a music CD or a videogame

Objectives:

• Use Photoshop and Illustrator together
• Integrate type and image into a sophisticated, cohesive design
• Create a mood through choice of subject, color, and style
• Visualize a work of art in multiple parts

Materials:
Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator

Parameters

• Use the templates
• Include only photographs and artwork that YOU have created
• Label/logo/title art must be original (designed by you).
• Music CD should include at least ten songs
• Allow room for a bar code
• Most text should remain in Illustrator (with possible exception of label)
• Final version will be an Illustrator EPS
• Save as “cd lastname.eps” in the graphicdesign folder
• Remember: All photographs must be at least 300 dpi in their printed dimensions

You may include:

• Photos that you have taken yourself or arranged to be taken
• Vector-drawn images
• Scanned drawings, paintings, and other non-digital artwork created by you
• Scanned objects, fabrics, textures

Grading Criteria

• Design
• Expressiveness
• Technical Quality
• Work Habits

Steps:

1. Fill out the CD Jacket Questionnaire, which you can find in the Mac Lab's graphicdesign server folder  
2. Search online for examples of "CD jacket design", to use for inspiration  
3. In Illustrator, create title art for artist/band/game
4. Sketch design ideas and layout of package
5. Plan and take photos as necessary  
6. Edit photos in Photoshop  
7. Using the template, create sides of package (exact actual size, 300 dpi) in Photoshop without text  
8. Open Photoshop images in Illustrator
9. Using the template, design text and vector-drawn objects over the Photoshop images

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