Create and Design Jewel Case Covers

Objective Students will use a template and various computer applications to create an original package design for a CD jewel case. The package design will consist of a front cover/CD booklet and back cover.

Project Overview After a performer finishes recording a compact disc (CD), he/she needs to sell it to consumers. Therefore, an essential marketing element is the design of his/her CD jewel case. You are a graphic designer working for a prestigious design company that specializes in media packaging. You are asked to create the packaging for a new CD. The design must communicate the personality of the artist or group. The CD jewel case should make the consumer pick it up and say “Wow” but most importantly buy the CD.

Project Overview Continued In this project, you will have the option of designing your CD jewel case for a solo artist, a singing group or a band.

Get to Know What You Are Designing Music CD jewel cases always include two inserts – a front and back cover. They sometimes have a CD booklet. The front cover usually includes the title of the CD, the author of the CD (the solo artist, group or band), and sometimes photos and other images related to the title. The back cover of the CD jewel case provides the consumer with the title of the songs, the recording company, a UPC (Universal Product Code), and other relevant information. The goal of CD designers is to try to create a CD jewel case design that matches the style of the artist while encompassing the theme or title of the CD into the design.

The Front Cover The front cover of a CD jewel case is a type of mini-poster designed to “grab” the attention of the potential buyer. People do judge a book by its cover, so spend a good deal of time planning the layout and design of your cover.

The CD Booklet CD Booklets often include: The booklet cover, with the name of the solo artist, singing group or band and the title of the CD. The booklet contents, including: –Lyrics, with the name of the person who wrote them. –Photos of the solo artist, singing group or band. –Names of all the people who worked on the CD. –Names of the people the artist wishes to thank. –Short bio of the artist, singing group or band.

The Back Cover The back cover of a CD jewel case includes a list of song titles and the length (expressed in minutes and seconds) of each. Include a minimum of eight song titles and a maximum of ten. (If applicable, include a list of the band members and their titles (lead singer, drummer etc.)

After deciding what option you will use, please answer the following questions: Which solo artist, singing group or band did you select? What is the name of the new hit song? What is the title of the CD? What will you include in your front cover CD booklet? What song titles will appear on the back cover of the CD jewel case? Who is the recording company?