Create A CD Cover Activity

NEVER THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

Always know the rules.

Nothing is original.

You are going to 'create' by slavishly following rules. By the end of the session you will have invented a band, recorded their first album, designed the cover art and released it.

1. Generate a name for your band by using WikiPedia's random page selector tool, and using the first article title on whichever page pops up. No matter how weird or lame that band name sounds.
2. Generate an album title by cutting and pasting the last four words of the final quote on whichever page appears when you click on the quotationspage's random quote selector tool. No matter what those four words turn out to be.
3. Finally, visit Flickr's Most Interesting page -- a random selection of some of the interesting things discovered on Flickr within the last 7 days -- and download the third picture on that page. (Even better: Click on this link to get a Flickr photo that's licensed under Creative Commons.) Again -- no cheating! You must use the photo, no matter how you feel about it.
4. Using Photoshop (or whatever method you prefer), put all of these elements together and create your very own CD cover, then upload it to the CD memepool

Using Photoshop, put all of these elements together and create your very own CD cover, then upload it to the CD memepool.

PHOTOSHOP FAQ

Where do I find it?

In the start menu, select - all programmes - common programmes - adobe production premium - photoshop (64bit)

How do I get started?

In the upper left select - file - new

What page size do I need?

CD covers are SQUARE, alter the height and width to 120mm. Ensure the colour mode is 8bit and the background colour is white.

How do I add an image?

You should have been able to save your image from flikr (if not jump to the next question). In the upper left select - file - open and locate the image you downloaded. The image will appear in a new tab, DO NOT PANIC, pull the tab down by pressing and holding the left mouse button until it appears in front of your white square tab, next press shift + v to drag and drop the image onto your white square tab

I couldn't download the image, how do I get the image?

Find the image given to you by Flickr, press print screen, then in photoshop press ctrl + v

But now I have the image and the desktop, how do I delete the desktop?

Press ctrl + t, this will allow you to change the shape of the object. Hold down shift and make the print screen image the same size as your window. Now press shift + m, this will make the cursor appear as an +, draw boxes over the areas you wish to delete and press backspace until you have deleted everything you want to remove.

The Image doesn't fill the square!

Press ctrl + t, now press and hold shift, pinch the corner of the image and stretch it until it fills the space. You can use the move tool (shift v) to align it properly.

How do I add text?

On the left hand side it a T, click on the T and then draw a text box where ever you wish. Type the name of your band and select a font and a size just as you would do on word.

Why doesn't it look quite right?

In really, really basic terms, design is about symmetry. Try and imagine your cd cover is divided equally into thirds, in 2 of these thirds something 'different' should be happening to the remaining third. Try and align yours along these principles.