Digipak Editing - Back Cover

Back Cover

I decided to use the long shot image of Esther against the same graffiti wall. This way the front and back cover would have a consistent aesthetic. This is typical of a CD cover, as I learnt in my digipak research. 

 I firstly made separate image with the correct sizing, and copied the long shot of image into this image. I found this much easier and quicker than cropping the image to correct size. I pressed 'CTRL'+'T' then held the shift key to prevent the image from being distorted as I adjusted the size of the image. 

 I then used the same technique as my front cover to cover up the rubbish on the floor. I selected areas near the rubbish and copied and paste this selection, and covered the rubbish. I then used the rubber and spot healer to blend this layer to the original image. 

 I used the same font as the front cover, so I had to screenshot the name of each song individually. Then reduce the amount of background, remove the white area by using 'Select'+'Colour Range' and then re-size the writing. 

 I then positioned them in a straight line, and merged the various layers together to create one layer. I then tried this against the background, however it was very hard to read.

 Therefore, I copied the text against a white background, and merged the two layers. I then inverted this layer, so the white became black, and the black became white. I then removed the white background.

 I then tested it against the image, and I was much happier with the result. I then adjusted the positioning of the image, and text to make room at the bottom for more text and details. I also changed the black to the same blue colour that features on the front cover text.

I copied in a barcode and the Virgin Emi Records logo. I then removed the white background from the Virgin logo, and turned the red into the same blue as the text. 

It was at this point, I decided to show some of my friends. Their opinions confirmed exactly my worries - the font is too hard to read. As a result, my CD cover look unprofessional and unattractive. 
I considered changing to a more simple font, however the clarity wasn't improved much. 

 Therefore I decided to select just the graffiti section of the original image, and cover the whole of the 15cm by 12cm image. This meant that Esther was cut out of the back cover.

I then retyped the list of songs in a separate image, using one of the default fonts in Photoshop. I decided to this as I thought it would be easier to read, as it is better quality.

I then search 'Rough Borders' in google and found the black image, as seen in the screeenshot to the left. I made the font white, so then I could remove the text easily and with a higher quality result. 

I then copied the text image into my main image. I then removed the white from the image, and made the black the same blue colour used on the front cover. 

Above is my improved digipak back. I think the text is easier to read, and the rough border of the blue border is more consistent with the aesthetic of the front cover. 
I like how different areas of the graffiti wall is visible, and it makes the background image more interesting to look at.

I intend to show more friends, teachers and potential target audiences so I can improve the quality of this image. I personally believe my front cover is better, but as a pair I think the back cover will work.