So with that being said. I thought I'd give a few tips to help you look right. A lot of people think you just take any picture and it instantly becomes what you want it to be. But things have to be put in place from the start to make the end result be at least close to what you're lookin for. 1st thing is good quality pictures. You can not use your camera phone for pictures you plan to use for any graphics if you ask me. Phones are set up to take the pics in small formats that are made to look big on other phones or the internet. But when it comes to CD covers or such, the quality and size are much to small.
If you have to stretch a picture to make it the size of a CD cover, then that's not the pic to use. The best would be a pic that appears to be too big so that when you shrink it down to size, it'll keep the quality. Make sure the camera you are using is set on the biggest setting or size for the pics to be taken, and you should be good. Learn what DPI is and always set to the highest amount.
Next, if you plan to be cut out of the picture, try to stand next to a plain wall colored wall. This helps the cut be more exact and easier to cut out from the original background. Never take the pictures you plan to cut out standing by the same colors that match your skin, trees or colors you are wearing. Lighting is very important when taking pictures, so sunlight photos are always best for me. Make sure the sun or light at night is in subjects face and to the cameraman's back. That way you get the most light aiming on the person your taking pictures off. Take your time and relax when shooting. Try to shoot with flash on and off. Learn the settings in your camera and try different settings to see different results. Don't rush the shot and make sure the subject stays where you need them to after each shot in case you want to shoot a certain pose again. Now a days most cameras come with a memory card so be sure to shoot as many pictures as you can. This betters your chances of getting a few good choices to use.
Most people think you just get a picture, put the name on it, and leave it at that. But colors and fonts do matter a lot when designing a certain graphic. Cheap fonts and the wrong colors can make the cover look cheap, which then makes the person your trying to sell it to think it sounds cheap. Some colors are meant to reel people in, so make sure to pick colors in the picture that make it all match and blend well. There are many free fonts to download online to help the look.
I've been designing flyers, business cards, logos, banners, and CD covers for over 10 years now. And every project gets better as I go. So never think you know it all just yet. There are a lot of videos online that you can watch to help you get the job done. I also like to Google topics & backgrounds related to the title of the project in hand. Like if it's called "A Cold Winter", I would use Google search with words like snow, winter, etc. for large images. Most of the time, you can find things that go right with what you're looking for. The other option is to go around and take pictures of things that could be backgrounds on your own time for a more original design. I seem to think the best covers are when you just take a good picture and put the words across it. Much easier, and not to much going on to throw off the art of it all.
Another thing to know is the size and specs things should be to line up the art for print. Most people end up getting things cut off in the final art because they didn't use the right templates for print. Most websites have templates to help you line up your art for the final product. Know what you want, as in 3x4 flyer, 4x6 flyer, 11x17 poster designs, 2 panel, or 4 panel cd designs. Know what a CD tray is, and what bleeds are. Get a barcode for your product, and everything will help you look more professional like you at least know what you're trying to do. When people see your product looking right, they tend to give it a better chance. Just a few tips to help you get the point across if maybe you had no idea. Tune in next issue for more game and Real Talk with E-Moe.
*Article courtesy of E-Moe for Pay$tyle and Royalty Magazine.
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