It is easy to make a 3-component audio CD-package or kit using PhotoShop. The class begins by passing examples of good CD design. First, the style of the graphics, fonts, and images in some way coincide to or relate to the type of music. So a CD by Deep Forest uses woody graphics. Leaves and rune symbols evoke the feeling of an all natural, organic, new age CD and the music follows through with this theme.
Ask students to bring in on CD or USB key, their current favorite song. Spend at least a minute or two listening to each student’s song to get an idea of the range and variety of music. By allowing students to choose a song, you are allowing them to choose the theme of the project also. This allows room for the CD design project to be a fun and personal project.
Begin by assigning the 3 components of the CD package and giving the size specifications for each component. These components will all be contained in separate PhotoShop documents. Have students use rulers and pull out guides to find the center of all components. The CD cover is: 4-3/4” x 4-11/16”, and prints 4-color process over the same. (4cp/same) The CD face is 4-3/4” round, with a ½” hole in the center and prints 1-color. The back of the CD is referred to as the tray card, measures 5-7/8 x 4-5/8”, and allows for a ¼” spine on each side. The tray card prints 4-color on one side.
Have students create a CD package that is the title of their favorite song. Encourage students to use a unique font that reinforces the style of the music, and to choose images that coincide with the theme or imagery of the song. So, a student who chooses the Tom Petty song, Free Fallin’ might include an image of a person falling from the sky. Have them repeat the same font, and perhaps even imagery, to make all components of the package consistent visually with the same theme and colors.
The final evaluation comes when students print out the CD package components with registration marks, cut them out, and assemble them into a real jewel case. This seems a small exercise but it demonstrates the importance of following specs and the believability of the product. Does the CD feel real and seems convincing commercially when it is assembled? Is it a compelling, pleasing and/or attention-getting design? Is the style of the graphics appropriate to the type of music? As always, ask students to choose which CD packages are the most successful and to evaluate why.
This PhotoShop project teaches graphic consistency and encourages the use of visual metaphor to communicate abstract ideas.
