Photoshop CS2: Jewel Case Cover Art

In this article, Linda illustrates how to merge images and type to create a jewel case insert for an imaginary client. In a step-by-step process she includes information about how to create paths with the pen tool, how to use these paths for text, and shows how to create a burned edge effect around an image by creating, saving and loading a selected area. Along the way she includes tips on how to make your workflow proceed faster as you begin to create this project or other projects that include type and images.

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Overview

Assessing the Project

Someone just handed you a project for a client who owns a company called, “James River Genealogy.” He wants to promote his genealogical work along the James River area in Virginia, USA through a DVD, and he needs to have a cover designed for the jewel case.

Normally, your job would include the following:

  1. To learn more about the area and about genealogy either through the client or through research so that you can choose appropriate images and colours for this project;
  2. Learn more about the target audience for this project from the client and through additional research, so that you can narrow the focus on the images and colours;
  3. Present at least three different schemes to that client for approval, and;
  4. To develop the artwork so that it’s presentable for a full-colour print job.

Since this is an imaginary project, I’ll commit to the first three steps so that you can move on immediately to develop the artwork for press. And, while the client has approved one idea for the end project (shown above), you’ll need to create the prepress image shown below for final approval before it goes to press. Therefore, you’ll need a template to create this project, a way to create the Virginia state map outline with burned edges and background image, and a means to create the type that flows along the “river.” Those issues are covered in the steps below.

 

Linda Goin

Linda GoinLinda Goin carries an A.A. in graphic design, a B.F.A. in visual communications with a minor in business and marketing and an M.A. in American History with a minor in the Reformation. While the latter degree doesn't seem to fit with the first two educational experiences, Linda used her 25-year design expertise on archaeological digs and in the study of material culture. Now she uses her education and experiences in social media experiments.

Accolades for her work include fifteen first-place Colorado Press Association awards, numerous fine art and graphic design awards, and interviews about content development with The Wall St. Journal, Chicago Tribune, Psychology Today, and L.A. Times.

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Reviews

Your ZIP Sample Resource file is incorrect

October 7, 2006 by lee pearman

Please correct your zipped sample file for this tutorial, as it does not include all the resources needed to complete this tutorial. All i am getting is one psd file which looks like the template for the project - although you say there should be two of these??. Also by the looks of this tutorial it is supposed to also contain a james_river_cover.psd file which is made up of layers such as map_mask layer and the photograph itself. I do not have these. I can no longer continue with this tutorial until this is sorted out and considering I have paid good money for it, I would appreciate it if this could be corrected.

Many thanks,

Lee Pearman

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