Album Cover Design
Using the Typographic Principles
A Thought: Type is one of the most universal systems of design that visually communicates on a regular basis.
Problem: Branding & advertising play a large role in our day-to-day lives. Through advertising we are categorized by: economical status, social groups, age, and values. Musician’s use branding and advertising to create an identity and increase recognition and interest. This project will ask you to do something very similar; you will use type to “brand” musician/band.
*Keep in mind the end result will not be an AD, but a piece of cover art for a CD Jewel Case, i.e. an ALBUM COVER. We are simply borrowing the technique of branding and adapting it to our purpose.
Font selection will play an important role! As you develop your ideas, find a minimum of three fonts that reflect your feelings about the musician and their musical style. Remember to look at the font’s physical characteristics as well as conceptual implications.
*Conceptual Question: Are you using a font the viewer would associate with a specific company (unrelated to the artist?) EXAMPLE: If your font resembles the Coca Cola font you risk associating the musician with an unrelated identity.
Materials: Musical Artist & Album (you may use earbuds to listen to your band as you work!); Photoshop CS3; Jewelcase Template (in the S:/ drive); website for font selection: dafont.com or fontface.com; website for custom brushes: brusheezy.com
Reading: Typeface & Choosing Fonts Handouts; Typography Notes; Elements and Principles of Design Notes
Things to Ponder while Designing:
· Which typeface category are you using? What do these styles say to the viewer? Are you mixing styles inappropriately? (REMEMBER: Good typographic design means NO MORE THAN 3 FONTS!!)
· What are the unique characteristics of the font you have chosen? Is it readable? Is it legible? Does it convey the identity of this band or musician?
· How are you choosing color? How do the colors relate to the emotional aspect of your work? Do they match the “feel” of the music?
· How can elements be arranged to be visually appealing and without creating conflict?
· For this project, letters should be considered as “shapes” – so, do not think of this as placing words on a page – think of this as composing shapes & lines (as you did in previous assignments).
· DO NOT STRETCH OR SQUASH YOUR TYPE.
· Your use of the design elements and principles as well as typeface choice will be considered during grading! See the rubric on the reverse of this page for grading criteria.
Specifications:
· CD Cover Front & CD Cover Back listing 4 tracks; (bar code & CD ROM logo provided in the S:/ drive for your use. These should be placed on the back.
· Use the JewelCase template provided in the S:/ drive. Your finished artwork should fit within the dimensions of the template.
· Color & Font Choice must relate to the emotional intent & meaning of the band’s style of music. (This image cannot be B&W or monochromatic gray)
· You must use a minimum of ONE brush, preferably a CUSTOM BRUSH to enhance your design.
· You must use a minimum of ONE layer blend mode (i.e. not NORMAL) on a layer.
· Your CD Cover should include the BAND NAME, and any artwork you feel conveys the band’s style and brand identity.
· Due: Tuesday, October 6
Album Cover Design
Jewel Case Grading Rubric
Creativity/Originality / Commendable5 / Acceptable
3 / No Appreciable Effort
0
· Overall design is very creative and original, grabbing the viewer’s attention and maintains it with graphics and text.
· Font Choice conveys band & musical style appropriately
Design Principles
· Contrast: Used in color, shapes, font, and size.
· Unity: Overall design has a unified feeling; this may be represented by repetition of shapes, graphics, font choices, etc.
· Alignment: Every element has a connection to another element
· Proximity: Related objects are spaced close together to enhance design; enough space after to separate unrelated objects.
Neatness/Organization
· Extremely neat and professional; Information is well organized in an appropriate manner for intended audience.
Technical Execution
· No spelling or grammar errors.
· Document was set up correctly. Sized to fit Jewel Case Template.
· Back page has your appropriate bar code and CDRom Logo. Project was turned in by Due Date.
Your Total Points