Here are 3 ideas for the Digipak® Outer that I've decided to digitise in order to give you a better basis to give feedback on. I'm going to give a bit of a blurb for each so you can understand the thought processes behind each.
Binary
This is the first idea I digitised. Essentially, it is based on the digital aspects of the music. I've used binary code to spell out 'Beatsystem' and '2297' repeatedly on the cover, with the artist and album names placed within this in bold. I feel this idea isn't particularly strong, and is somewhat clichéd. Probably my least favourite.
Headphones
This idea is based on a concept I had whilst listening the the CD for the first time. It gave me a sense of frustration and discomfort, so I really wanted to personify this somehow. By taking a stock image and giving it an abstract feel, I'm happy with the way I've managed to do this. Some people say it's a bit scary, and would therefore discourage people from buying the album, but I disagree. The best way to sell a product is to attract attention, and this, in my opinion, would do this.
Invade
This concept came from the title of the first track on the CD, 'Invade Areas Where Nothing's Definite'. Again, I've gone with an abstract feel with this design. I've used Adobe Illustrator to create both the military vehicles and the sign. The strongest point of this design is the contrast used, but overall, I'm not sure about it. I like the concept, I'm just not sure I've made it work. It just seems a bit empty.
Obviously, feedback would be brilliant.
About Me
- Tom Smith
- Horbury, Wakefield, United Kingdom
- Currently studying in the 2nd of HND Interactive Media at Wakefield College, I aim to one day work as a web designer. Here you will find a regular update on my thoughts on the course, and on any work I may be undertaking, and other bits and pieces.
11 comments:
Hi Tom,
Some fantastic designs there Tom; but its what I have come to expect from you recently! Well done!
My choice would be a combination of 'Binary' and 'Headphones' in that I love the design of the 'Headphones' but the typeface for the back and side of the 'Binary'; the front however, I wouldn't change a thing!
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Shaun Bellis
#1 and #3 wouldn't meet the learning outcomes because they're vector based. Even if you created them as bitmap, I wouldn't consider them 'effective', because it's obviously not the appropriate image type.
#2 is exclusively dependant on the degree of manipulation you've effected on the original image.
The learning outcomes are a huge consideration with this unit. Treat them as additional technical requirements.
Shaun, I didn't really want to use the same font as I used for the Binary idea. I wanted to use something different. I feel the font fits well with the idea.
Steve, the original images used for the cover can be found here and here. Would you consider this to sufficiently manipulated?
I was also considering moving the wire of the headphones on one of the pictures so it matches on the front and back. Good idea or not?
Hi Tom
1. I rather like this idea it’s simple and it works, however it is mainly vector and although it looks good there doesn’t seem to be much manipulation. This is the same type of problem JB had with his first design, but he fixed it using images inside each letter, I don’t think that this would be possible in your case though.
2. This is my favourite design by far out of the 3, its eye catching; manipulation has been used meeting the requirements. But I don’t think the track listings on the back look rite. Some of them seem to spread onto two lines which made it a bit confusing at times. However I my self cant think of a solution for this other than making the text smaller which could also cause problems, or making the images slightly smaller to fit the text in correctly but once again this could have problems.
3. I also like the simplicity of the design making it look more clean and prosiest, but it may need more manipulation to fit the brief correctly. I’m not sure on the right aligning of the text, similar problem to above really it looks hard to read and confuses the eye as we are used to reading from left to right. But I suppose it depends on your target audience.
Thanks, Martyn
I really like some of the designs you've done, especially the second one of the group. I think the first is okay, but the back doesn't really match the front of it and the overall concept of the cd cover isn't that inventive and creative. I've definitely seen it done before, though it would've been suitable given no assignment guidelines.
I saw the amount of manipulation you did on the head and it worked well, I still think you could play around with the face and try add more; even though it's already working.
I think the last one of the three is abit too simple, I can see the whole concept behind it; but creatively its nothing spectacular remember to fit to that guideline. Maybe develop it abit more and see what more you can make of the concept?
The headphones cover really good but I am still not sure about the track listing. Some are a little difficult to read and I think the the duration of the tracks should on the same line as the track name.
Also I think the text on the spine should start at top the text and read down.
What can I say! They are all fantastic! They look highly professional and I can imagine seeing them in a music store!
In my opinion the headphones one looks the best. I wouldn’t change a single thing on that one. I know you are wanting to grab peoples attention, and this one will certainly do that!
The binary one is a nice idea and I like the way you have put the shadows on the back. It really breaks up the white page.
Im not too sure about the last design. It doesn’t look as professional as the others, but still good.
I like the way you have gone for a very white, very minimal look. It is very clean and of course gives a very high contrast to most things you will place on it.
If you are wanting me to pick one (it is hard but…) I would choose “headphones”. The white works really well with the almost green glow to it. Gives the viewer somewhat of an itching curiosity.
Some really good strong ideas there tom, of the ones you've posted I really like idea two. I've seen the amount of manipulation you've done to the man's face already and can only anticipate how much more you could do to develop your idea.
Although some people have suggested that this cover could put people off buying the CD, I think the cover provides a bit of curiosity as to what music is actually on the CD. Certainly something i'd be intrigued by.
I've been contemplating what to write for a while and have decided to go for my gut reaction which I initially had.
So, I think its obvious the designs show a definite professionalism and strong concepts. My preferences are for the vector based covers, even though they don't fulfill the marking criteria (according to the boss)!
It's not that you haven't done good job with the 'Headphones' design but it seems a little cliche to me. It also would deter me from buying the cd (maybe that would be beneficial actually, if the music was anything like what I had!). Could you not keep the same concept and focal image but create the skin made of layers of objects which represent the feelings you experienced listening to the music? So it's almost like you're looking into his sub-conscious? To me this would be a more aesthetically appealing and though provoking image.
The truth is Michelle, that the image I've created does reflect the feelings I experienced listening to the music. By including some of the other imagery I had I feel it would take away from this idea, which to me represents the strongest, most overwhelming emotion I felt. Just so you know, this was a feeling of discomfort and frustration... and this wasn't just because I didn't like the music. It was just how I felt, and other reviews of the CD I've found online reflect this too.
I'm just not sure your idea would achieve the look I was aiming at.
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