Custom Cover Art Thread

[Mr. J]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I am trying to go as different as I can with the War Collection I am working on. I like the way the studios handle the back covers of BDs so I decided to keep those the way they are. As far as the spines and fronts go, I have totally changed those up.

Different is good

[Kory]

Am I going to have to be the first jerk to say that the "war collection" covers aren't that good? I understand the concept you're trying to go for, but first of all, the pictures you've chosen are skewed way out of proportion, and not of the best quality. The font is also bland and hard to read at times. Keep at it, as you clearly have some good ideas, but the execution is not there yet.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Kory

Am I going to have to be the first jerk to say that the "war collection" covers aren't that good? I understand the concept you're trying to go for, but first of all, the pictures you've chosen are skewed way out of proportion, and not of the best quality. The font is also bland and hard to read at times. Keep at it, as you clearly have some good ideas, but the execution is not there yet.

Well, it's tough to get pictures that have a high resolution without having the actual picture to scan yourself. So I have been going with the best pictures I can find for the front covers. I am not some Photoshop wiz that gets 3 hours of sleep a day and sits in front of computer for the remaining 21 hours. On top of that I have only been working on custom covers off and on for a few months. If you want me to go even further I work full time, am in the last year of my masters degree, and have a 15 month old with another one on the way. I chose that font because it's similar to the font used for CLASSIFIED and TOP SECRET stamps, so there you go.

I think that about covers your negativity.

[jordy475]

Originally Posted by Kory

Am I going to have to be the first jerk to say that the "war collection" covers aren't that good? I understand the concept you're trying to go for, but first of all, the pictures you've chosen are skewed way out of proportion, and not of the best quality. The font is also bland and hard to read at times. Keep at it, as you clearly have some good ideas, but the execution is not there yet.

Wow, what a helpful reply

At lease give some useable advice...

i.e.
- If you need to make a picture bigger/smaller, lock the proportions to avoid being skewed.
- To un-bland the font maybe play with some effects
- Do an advanced google search and just search for pics of higher resolution

[G:Box]

Originally Posted by Kory

Am I going to have to be the first jerk to say that the "war collection" covers aren't that good? I understand the concept you're trying to go for, but first of all, the pictures you've chosen are skewed way out of proportion, and not of the best quality. The font is also bland and hard to read at times. Keep at it, as you clearly have some good ideas, but the execution is not there yet.

I think there are diferent ways to give constructive criticism... It doesnt cost anything to be nice

Kudos to HD for not getting offended, its good to see the good in the bad.

[aggienader08]

Originally Posted by Kory

Am I going to have to be the first jerk to say that the "war collection" covers aren't that good? I understand the concept you're trying to go for, but first of all, the pictures you've chosen are skewed way out of proportion, and not of the best quality. The font is also bland and hard to read at times. Keep at it, as you clearly have some good ideas, but the execution is not there yet.

There is constructive criticism, and then there's rude. You are straddling the fence between the two.

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Well, it's tough to get pictures that have a high resolution without having the actual picture to scan yourself. So I have been going with the best pictures I can find for the front covers. I am not some Photoshop wiz that gets 3 hours of sleep a day and sits in front of computer for the remaining 21 hours. On top of that I have only been working on custom covers off and on for a few months. If you want me to go even further I work full time, am in the last year of my masters degree, and have a 15 month old with another one on the way. I chose that font because it's similar to the font used for CLASSIFIED and TOP SECRET stamps, so there you go.

I think that about covers your negativity.

People develop their skills differently. I think you just about covered all of the stereotypes in one post.

First of all I don't spend 21 hours in front of a computer. I have a life, and a family too. I work 7 hrs. a day and this is one of my many hobbies. I have not designed a cover in over 4 months. Don't just assume that in order to develop the skill level you have to have no life and lose sleep.

I assume based on your comments that you are not using PS?

If you are using PS:
Try Free Transforming (control/command + T) the image you would like to use, and before you start adjusting the size of your image by clicking and dragging the corners or the walls of the image, hold down the shift key. Doing this will ensure that you are expanding the size of your image while keeping it proportional and not stretching it.

[G:Box]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I chose that font because it's similar to the font used for CLASSIFIED and TOP SECRET stamps, so there you go.

Maybe if you add color to that front text or somesort of embossing, give it some life

Maybe even position them diagonally like those top secret folders. Maybe thatll help.

[wormraper]

I've got to say that I didn't think he was rude in the least, he was blunt, but not rude. He didn't say that his covers looked like crap and that he was laughing at his pathetic work or something like that. He told it as it was, he mentioned the flaws in the work and gave him a little encouragement. No diff than the criticism on any of the custom cover sites that I've submitted work to

[Kory]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Well, it's tough to get pictures that have a high resolution without having the actual picture to scan yourself. So I have been going with the best pictures I can find for the front covers. I am not some Photoshop wiz that gets 3 hours of sleep a day and sits in front of computer for the remaining 21 hours. On top of that I have only been working on custom covers off and on for a few months. If you want me to go even further I work full time, am in the last year of my masters degree, and have a 15 month old with another one on the way. I chose that font because it's similar to the font used for CLASSIFIED and TOP SECRET stamps, so there you go.

I think that about covers your negativity.

Saying that the people who are good at custom covers only get 3 hours of sleep a night and spend all their time in front of a computer is extremely insulting to all of the cover wizards we have on this forum. I don't consider myself an expert, or even close to it, at creating covers, but I have a trained eye for knowing what looks good and what doesn't, and some of the cover artists here who I've helped out can attest to that. So there is no need to be so defensive, as I truly do just want to help.

I get the idea of the secret document font. Something needs to be done to it to make it stand out, so we know, okay, this is the title of this series of movies.

The title of the film itself should be in the official movie font though, not the same secret document font. The same goes for the spine.

As far as the backs go, if you're making a series, generally the spines and the back covers follow some sort of template. I know you just kept the original back covers, but having them all different looks sloppy and a little disheveled, honestly.

Originally Posted by wormraper

I've got to say that I didn't think he was rude in the least, he was blunt, but not rude. He didn't say that his covers looked like crap and that he was laughing at his pathetic work or something like that. He told it as it was, he mentioned the flaws in the work and gave him a little encouragement. No diff than the criticism on any of the custom cover sites that I've submitted work to

Thank you. People on this forum need some tougher skin and to stop worrying about being so polite. The real world is harsh, and I was hardly rude.

[G:Box]

Originally Posted by Kory

Thank you. People on this forum need some tougher skin and to stop worrying about being so polite. The real world is harsh, and I was hardly rude.

Im sorry, but I gotta agree with that

[HanaBi]

HD Goofnut,

Kory has given me some excellent pointers, and I design for a living! But I understand not enjoying criticism, too, even when it is constructive.

My advice: Design for yourself first - but if you put it out there, be ready for praise , condemnation , and everything in between! This community is pretty great, though.

Maybe try to copy a cover you really like - an official cover, a custom, whatever. By trying to match some of those elements, you'll notice certain details, pick up a few tricks, decide what you need/don't need, etc. If you don't work with type often, this is a good way to learn.

Not having Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc. can be a challenge, but I see amazing stuff on this thread created with Gimp and other inexpensive/free programs. A good designer uses limitations to their advantage!

Example: I also have a hard time finding good hi-res art. Sometimes I let the one bit of hi-res art I CAN find suggest a design. Or I'll take a so-so quality image & combine it with hi-res textures for something that will print well. (The printers I have access to aren't always super-smooth, so a texture will often print better than a solid background.)

Keep at it & you'll get better. I get good feedback here (sometimes too much, but hey, use what you want, don't sweat the rest!).

[alexpeters]

Originally Posted by aggienader08

There is constructive criticism, and then there's rude. You are straddling the fence between the two.



People develop their skills differently. I think you just about covered all of the stereotypes in one post.

First of all I don't spend 21 hours in front of a computer. I have a life, and a family too. I work 7 hrs. a day and this is one of my many hobbies. I have not designed a cover in over 4 months. Don't just assume that in order to develop the skill level you have to have no life and lose sleep.

I assume based on your comments that you are not using PS?

If you are using PS:
Try Free Transforming (control/command + T) the image you would like to use, and before you start adjusting the size of your image by clicking and dragging the corners or the walls of the image, hold down the shift key. Doing this will ensure that you are expanding the size of your image while keeping it proportional and not stretching it.

I'm going to have to agree with you, as I am very quick with my covers. I've only been making covers for about a month. It just takes practice to get better. I have a life. This is a hobby. Which I don't spend much of my day pursuing.

[Aholland06]

Originally Posted by Imrahil2001

You sure you want that, with a third one still in the works?

Yes I am sure because it will be at least a year and a half before the 3rd movie comes out.

[SethRex]

My custom Predators. Still made with Paint as I haven't figured out Gimp yet. But I think this one works. Still a WIP. Needs the specs and 'storyline'. I may fit in some of the extras.

[dvdmike]

If I never type schwarzenegger again I will die happy





Download:
T1
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/6554/48692908.jpg
T2
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/5500/98103891.jpg
T3
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/15/81348604.jpg

I may do Salvation, depends if I find art I like

[Thieves Dont]

Hi guys, I was wondering if someone could help me out here seeing as I have virtually no illustrative talent what-so-ever haha. I'm looking for someone to make a cover for the new Rambo extended cut, but titled John Rambo. Possibly using the steelbook art? It would be awesome if it also listed it as a 2 disc set including the theatrical cut along with the special features from that disc. Would be willing to paypal someone who makes this possible! This is the cover art from the steel book(best I could find):


https://images.blu-ray.com/movies/covers/9109_front.jpg

Sorry if requests are not allowed! Thanks.

[SethRex]

Originally Posted by dvdmike

If I never type schwarzenegger again I will die happy

[Show spoiler]

Download:
T1
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/6554/48692908.jpg
T2
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6118/77224889.jpg
T3
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/15/81348604.jpg

I may do Salvation, depends if I find art I like

You could always try looking for something that shows Marcus in the water.

[Fergubond]

Hey guys. I'm looking into a new theme with these too. I bought a few DVD when I was in China last time and I'm finding that I like the white space that they have on some of their packaging, so I decide to try out a new theme that makes use of some more white space than my old covers used to. I'm fairly set on the designs of the front, with just a little more tweeking. The backs of the cases are causing a bit of a problem for me, as I have tried a couple ideas and they don't seem quite right. Here are two very rough samples of possibilities I'm trying out for case backs (incorrect credit info). I'm hoping you guys might be able to help and make some suggestions that might point me in a new direction. I always love reading your guys' input.
P.s. The text inside the lines on the back of My Sassy Girl is the "10 rules" That is the only part that am sure I want to keep on the back.

[SethRex]

Very nice Fergubond. At least I don't have to suffer not being able to watch Blood: The Last Vampire lol. I did download a copy of My Sassy Girl so I could watch it. If I like it, I'll look for a DVD of it, though then I'd probably want a Blu-Ray of it lol.

[bartlettphoto]

Good Will Hunting