-Development Diary for My Digipak-

I began by downloading a Digipak format, which allowed me to create a template for the Digipak, which will

help me in the composition of my complete product. I then began by

going through the photographs from my photo-shoot, which I took whilst filming which allowed me to create

photographs that linked directly to my main product. I opened up the front

cover picture and changed the size so that it will fit in the template. I then changed the

curve and the levels to maximize the colouring in the photograph, which helps to draw attention

to the photograph. I then saved the photograph and opened up my template.

Next I opened file < place and selected the picture, which I then placed on my

template. I then went to edit < transform < scale that allowed me to position the

picture correctly within the guidelines to ensure that my Digipak opens and closes

correctly. I did this with both of my model photographs placing them in a similar

layout to my mock up. I chose these photographs as they follow the Male Gaze

Theory from Laura Mulvey, which will attract the audience to the product, and by using both a male and female model I am able to extend my audience. I have also use the rule of thirds

in my photographs as it allows the setting and the model to be shown whilst also being more ascetically pleasing to the audience. I decided to use the blue tones in the picture as a basis for the rest of my Digipak as it creates a familiar theme through out it, which allows the audience to identify it as one unit of work. I decided to

use the blue colouring as it accentuates the environment as well as the calm nature of the music, which I think you are able to grasp

through the use of this theme.

I them began editing the photograph that I want to use on the text pages within my Digipak. I selected an image that I had taken of the pier by the beach

which I thought would link with my theme so I decided to use that photograph. I then opened it up in Photoshop and began by changing the image size. I then opened Image < Adjustments < Levels, Curves, Channel Mixer and Exposure to create the colouring

I wanted for the image which allowed me to match the

colouring to the colouring of the models clothing which helps to

create a theme within the products. I then placed and

transformed the image to fit in the template. I changed the orientation of some of the

picture to make sure that when printed and placed together that

will come out in the correct place.

I then began placing the text within my Digipak but first I have to create a box for the text so that the text is

visible making it easier to read for the audience. I did this by clicking on the shape tool and selecting the

rectangular tool, which allowed me to draw a shape that would surround the text. After drawing the shape

in the selected place, I then lowered the opacity, which allows

the background to be partially seen through the rectangle which I

think creates a gentle feeling instead of a harsh regimented

style which I think works better with the genre to create a

complete package style. By doing this you are also able to read the

text more clearly whilst also maintaining a design technique within the Digipak. I decided to place the text

through with the black font as it helps to stand out ensuring that the audience is able to read it whilst also creating a theme through out the design. The use of the

black text also works well with the light background helping the design to stand out.

After doing this in the selected places I began placing the text on the package, I decided to use Times

New Roman as my chosen font as I think it fits the package style as well as it’s simplistic nature it is easy to

read which I hope will entice the audience into the product. I added the text by using the text button which allowed me to draw a box in which I could place my text.

Here is an example of what a final piece of text would look like. I decided to place lyrics in my Digipak as it allowed

the audience to connect with the songs on a stronger level, which I think comes through in this piece. I changed the size of the boxes and the text size dependent of the design of the page so that the text helps to

accentuate the page not hinder it’s ascetical design.

I then decided to create the title on the front of the Digipak that I thought reflected the nature of the

music; I once again used the text tool, which allowed me to create a suitably sized text where I

wrote the bands name and the albums name. I decided to use Times New Roman again to create a unity and design style through my work however I decided to place the text in bold which allowed the

text to stand out more than in the rest of the Digipak, which will draw the audience into the

text. By placing the text in the selected place I was able to I increase the noticeability of the text,

which is exactly what this piece of text needs to be. I then used the text tool once again to create the track listing for the back

page. I decided to use the diamonds to separate the titles which I think helps to make it clearer. I

decided to use the diamonds as I think they have a unique style that I haven’t seen used before. I also

used them because they create juxtaposition, as they are bold compared to the text. I created the diamond through the shapes tool, which I then

placed in the selected place. I then used the Duplicate Layer tool to ensure that the diamonds

are all the same size so that the pages flows better and the eye line of the audience is not

distracted or dismissed.

I then had to place in my barcode for the use of sales. I placed the barcode by

selecting a barcode off the Internet and saving it to

my files. I placed it on the Digipak by going to File < Place and selecting the barcode from my files. I placed it on the back of my Digipak at the bottom of

the page, as this is the conventional place for the barcode to go. I also placed it here so it doesn’t distract the eye line of the audience from another more important object within the

Digipak. I then placed the title of the name and the album on both spines of the Digipak so it was clear that who the artist was which will help capture the audience’s attention as well as giving

them an insight into what the album may be like. I used the diamond tool once again to create a break between the text as well as a theme

throughout the Digipak. The use of the diamond may also draw in the attention of the audience, which may increase the interest in the project.

I then had to fill in the background of the CD page which I did by using the Paint Bucket Tool which. I then decided to create a pattern on my

CD, which helped to create a correlation and theme through the Digipak. I

decided to use quite a simple pattern that I had used on other pieces of the Digipak, as it would

be easier to read the text on it. I did this by placing the pattern on the square by duplicating the layer and moving it across then lowering the opacity so I was able to see the outline of the CD and the template, which I then proceeded to rub

out so that the shape of the CD was clear in contrast with the colour. I then placed the title on CD but I decided to change the shape of the

text so that it fitted the CD better. I used the Arc tool, which allowed me to shape the text to fit

the CD which I think creates an interesting perspective for the CD whilst also creating a definition between the Digipak and the CD.