Custom Cover Art Thread

[Heartbreaksoup]

Elsewhere on this site (and others!) there's been some widespread complaints about the BBC's latest repackaging of the 2005-2022 run of Doctor Who, which has most recently come out in a batch of four DVD-sized boxes with artwork too small to fit the boxes, two disks per spindle, etc.

I've begun a project to rejig these into eleven 6-disc cases with a little uniformity and standardization. I'm happy with some of what I've come up with, but less happy about others, and I would love to get feedback from you wonderful artists about where I might want to rethink things.

So my basic plan is to keep the logos, front cover copy, and the silhouette images standard across all eleven. (I believe that Matthew Ferguson is the artist who created the silhouettes.)

This will use the Whittaker logo for all eleven sets, but the backgrounds will be different. Sets 1-3 could use the red and blue space background shown below, sets 4-6 (Smith) could use the "crack" background, sets 7-9 (Capaldi) could use a clock background of some kind, and sets 10-11 (Whittaker) will use something different.







So while I like the front and the spine that I've come up with, and I want the back covers to list what episodes are on each disk, that back cover is looking... really amateurish.

My own personal taste is for a minimalist approach. I'm a huge fan of this design approach that I found on Reddit for a MCU series. I love how it's so uncluttered, tasteful, and useful:



But my back cover is really none of those things. I'd love to get some ideas from you guys about what I could consider to make the backs look useful, simple, and - dare I say it - professional. Pull no punches in your critiques: I stink and I need help!

[BasedSPACER]

Available at apparition.design

[punisherchad]

What size cases are these for? The spines look a bit wider than standard.

[BasedSPACER]

Originally Posted by punisherchad

What size cases are these for? The spines look a bit wider than standard.

If you're referring to my Avatar covers, they're sized to fit a 4-Disc 4K case, as the collector's editions just released are 4-Disc sets. Those cases have a 15mm spine. I am aware that there are some 4-Disc 4K cases that have a 12.5mm spine, but as they aren't really widely available as much as the 15mm versions I sized the cover for the larger sized cases.

[gregmasciola]

Originally Posted by bifi

Does randomly anyone has this cover and can share it?

I don't know where you can get that specific cover, but I have a similar one I made a few years ago:

[Dreamliner330]

Originally Posted by BasedSPACER

Available at apparition.design

Hey Based, thank you so much for making these covers. I'm always looking for cover art for anything that came in sleeve packaging, so perfect timing on the Avatar sets.

Keep up the great work, it is appreciated!

[MikeyC314]

I don’t suppose anyone has a copy of this awesome artwork they could share? Tried contacting the creator but haven’t heard back so presumably rather busy which is understandable. Would love to get this though if possible!

Originally Posted by Justanothercrow421

Citizen Kane (Criterion - 22mm Scanavo)

I recently made this custom cover for Criterion's 4K edition of Citizen Kane to fit the 4-disc 22mm-spine Scanavo case. It was a fun project and relatively simple! The user who commissioned this cover has allowed me to share, so if anyone would like the links, they're welcome to PM me with a request. Shoutout to jspiros for the great idea!

[mpls1981]

I have a question for the creators of custom artwork. I've been moving from modifying spines on artwork to match what I have to full on creating the entire cover. Where do you all get the default text of the back covers (usually the bottom half or bottom third with all the general info with studios, actors, sound etc)?

Right now I just pluck it from other covers I've downloaded and color match it to what I need. But it doesn't work all that great and I feel like it's because I'm copying from an image that was already reduced to printable size rather than a larger high res source to begin with - but not sure if that's the problem or I'm just a noob at it. Thanks

[John_Carpenter]

Here's a couple of 4k covers i finished recently.

[punisherchad]

Originally Posted by BasedSPACER

If you're referring to my Avatar covers, they're sized to fit a 4-Disc 4K case, as the collector's editions just released are 4-Disc sets. Those cases have a 15mm spine. I am aware that there are some 4-Disc 4K cases that have a 12.5mm spine, but as they aren't really widely available as much as the 15mm versions I sized the cover for the larger sized cases.

Yeah, I don't know why it didn't quote. Must have selected quick reply by mistake. I just bought and watched them. I do love the cases except the disc storage part. I also have a couple of 4 discers laying around so I may have to use your covers and keep the cases in my box o' cases I replaced.

[Jodi]

Any possibility of someone creating a Marvel's Avengers 5-disc collection cover art for standard Blu-ray? They all have DTS-HD MA.

The first 4 discs are, of course, the 4 Avengers films. The 5th disc is the bonus disc for Endgame.

[Phillip c. Niethe]

Someone should do a series of Dark City covers, one for Arrow, Criterion, Kino, and Shout Factory…
And if you get real creative a Bladerunner Version of each

[gregmasciola]

Originally Posted by mpls1981

I have a question for the creators of custom artwork. I've been moving from modifying spines on artwork to match what I have to full on creating the entire cover. Where do you all get the default text of the back covers (usually the bottom half or bottom third with all the general info with studios, actors, sound etc)?

Right now I just pluck it from other covers I've downloaded and color match it to what I need. But it doesn't work all that great and I feel like it's because I'm copying from an image that was already reduced to printable size rather than a larger high res source to begin with - but not sure if that's the problem or I'm just a noob at it. Thanks

I just made myself templates for each studio. I found a cover where I liked the layout of all the info on the back (movie credits, audio specs, etc.). Then I just found a close enough font (usually something like Helvetica or Arial Narrow works well) and re-typed all of the info. Any info that will change based on the movie I keep in red so I will know if I missed anything.

[Jodi]

What are the basics in creating cover art (please not a lot of specifics). Adobe Photoshop? Other kinds of software?

[mpls1981]

Originally Posted by Jodi

What are the basics in creating cover art (please not a lot of specifics). Adobe Photoshop? Other kinds of software?

I'm no pro, but Photoshop or something close to it would be required. You'll need to be able to manipulate colors, images, and text with whatever software you use.
If you want to modify something that already exists, you'll need access to a variety of custom cover websites to pull from or a high quality scanner for your own covers. Some a free and some cost. It'll all depend on your need. I personally have access to 4 - 2 paid and 2 free. Not every site has the same people posting covers.
If you want to start from scratch, some good googling skills to find high res images and logos.
Last, if you plan to print them out, a better than average printer that will be able to handle all the colors and small text well.

[Justanothercrow421]

The pop art Criterion decided to use for their Showa-era boxset never really bothered me (save for the use of a Heisei-era Godzilla on the cover). But ever since Waxwork Records released their companion Showa-era soundtrack boxset in 2021, I've always wanted to adapt Robert Sammelin's wonderful artwork for the Criterion set.

This is for a 22mm 8-disc clear DVD case. It doesn't match the size of the other blu-rays in my collection, but I actually think its thematic in the somewhat taller case (and doesn't go overboard like the stock book Criterion released).

I will not be sharing files for this set, but is available on Etsy.

[AmishParadise]

Originally Posted by Justanothercrow421

This is for a 22mm 8-disc clear DVD case. It doesn't match the size of the other blu-rays in my collection, but I actually think its thematic in the somewhat taller case (and doesn't go overboard like the stock book Criterion released).

Godzilla is TALL so the added height of the case works well. I like it!

[ARS12]

Originally Posted by Jodi

What are the basics in creating cover art (please not a lot of specifics). Adobe Photoshop? Other kinds of software?

You most definitely do not need Photoshop. GIMP is a great free-ware alternative for image manipulation. I've been using GIMP for 12 years for all my of graphic design needs.

Beyond that, you wouldn't need anything additional besides a printer and the correct paper unless you plan on printing elsewhere.

[Jodi]

Originally Posted by mpls1981

I'm no pro, but Photoshop or something close to it would be required. You'll need to be able to manipulate colors, images, and text with whatever software you use.
If you want to modify something that already exists, you'll need access to a variety of custom cover websites to pull from or a high quality scanner for your own covers. Some a free and some cost. It'll all depend on your need. I personally have access to 4 - 2 paid and 2 free. Not every site has the same people posting covers.
If you want to start from scratch, some good googling skills to find high res images and logos.
Last, if you plan to print them out, a better than average printer that will be able to handle all the colors and small text well.

OK, sounds helpful.

[AmishParadise]

I decided to add one more title to my slate of B5 cover art. For this one I decided to go retro, the cover art taking its cues from a couple VHS releases and a DVD release while at the same time still conforming to the other B5 cover art I've done recently. See below.


(Click on the preview image above to view a larger version.)

The above is a work in progress. I have a few additional things I'd like to try with the background images for the front and back portions, especially the back portion which currently just carries over the starfield from the front portion. Going to take the rest of the week and see what additional damage I can do. I'll make full size images available next week for those interested.
__________________________________

My cover art for this is now available for those interested. See my previous post, here.