Custom Cover Art Thread

[SethRex]

My attempt at Halloween. It's be simplistic as usual given what program I have, but I came up with something somewhat decent.

[captainjoe]

Originally Posted by HanaBi

I'd love to take a crack at it, just need the time!

Here's a custom-in-progress for EFNY:

That's really cool! I can't wait to see the finished product

[bpmford]

Hey kenny 3001, I applaude your attempt at making a custom design. It can be hard when you've never done anything like this before...

I'd like to first say to the members who were negative towards kenny's first attempt at making a cover... This hobby isn't easy to learn, and as someone who had to start at one point myself, we shouldn't be so hard on him for trying; we can be honest without being rude, and try to help him in his attempt to learn.

Kenny, unfortunately I can't give you much advice in terms of the program you are using, as Photoshop is all I know, but I can let you know of some things that will help you get started.

Most new designers find it helpful to use studio templates when designing for the first time, that way they get the idea of formatting and layout... Unfortunately all if not 99% of available templates are in PSD format, so if you get a copy of that program one day, let me know and I could help you much more.

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1. 3D PREVIEWING - In your first attempt you stuck the poster into a 3D picture of the Blu-ray case... this is the last part of your design, and not one you need to deal with in your initial work. For now, just focus on the Cover or insert...

2. COVER SIZING - If the program you are using allows you to pick the size of the document you are creating, there is standard sizes that blu-ray covers come in... I will give you a standard size in both pixel and inch formats...

Cover size:

Width - 3118 pixels or 10.393 inches
Height - 1748 pixels or 5.827 inches

Spine: The spine also has a certain size... in North America there are two normal cases that are used, but both have the same spine width, in Europe, they use a thicker case (closer to DVD) as their standard... For this purpose, we will go with the North America size.

Width - 130 pixels or .433 inches

* It's a good idea to mark out your blank cover with the spine size as it will help to layout the front and back of your cover.

** Also, when you first create your new cover document, if the program gives you the option of resolution of the cover, pick 300dpi, as that is the appropriate quality for printing.

3. COVER ELEMENTS - All cover have certain things on them that cover designers always include:

FRONT: Onm the front of your cover there is always a Title Treatment; the title picture of your movie. Plus actors/actresses names. And maybe a Quote from the movie. Logos are not needed on the front.

SPINE: The same Title Treatment from the front but smaller to fit and possibly re-arranged to be more visible on the spine. Also a Blu-ray logo and a Studio Logo like Warner or Universal (whomever made the Blu-ray). Plus maybe a small pic or two of the main character(s) from the movie.

BACK: The back usually has a Synopsis (not too long), Credits, Special Features, Specifications, Logos, and Legals. Also, there are screenshots from the movie. The best idea on what is on them is to look on the back of one of the movies you own.

4. IMAGES - The image you used for your first attempt is really low resolution and works out to a poor print. All covers need to contain images at 300dpi or more. If you are unsure on what dpi is, I will simplify it: When you google search images under the title of your movie, you need to choose the potion on the left side that makes your results of images larger than... '1024x768' or even '2 MP'. That way you know that the results will be for decent quality:

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5. LOGOS - I'd say don't attempt to cut out or color out a jpg of the logo yourself, it's not worth the effort it takes to make it look right. I believe even the program you are using, you can import png logos into it for your cover. If you send me a PM, I can get some logos to you including the 3D Blu-ray logo.

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All in all, the best advise i can give you once you have that technical mambo jambo out of the way is to look at other custom covers and even the studio covers to see what others have done... Every artist has their own personal style, but when starting out, don't be afraid to try to re-create what they did to improve your skills. When you look at other's work, looks closely try to pick out what they may have done to an image to create an effect, or find the original image in google and see what they did to it on their cover.

If you are looking at specifically making a cover for a 3D movie, don't worry about making the preview look like it's in a 3D case, just about adding the 3D info to the cover. There are 3D logos available and you can add that info to the cover yourself instead of trying to find a picture with the '3D' wording already in it.

Well, that's about all the advise I can give you ATM as I don't know the program you are using and so I can't help you out with formatting...

Please feel free to PM me with any questions you have. If you do get Photoshop, I know of a whole bunch of things and places that can help you out with making your covers. FYI Adobe does give you a one month Full Use trial of Photoshop that you can download to see if you like it enough to make the purchase.

bpm

[Aholland06]

Is there a Mr & Mrs Smith cover around? I have been looking with no success. If there isn't one is someone interested in making one?

[Rusty100]

Originally Posted by HanaBi

I'd love to take a crack at it, just need the time!

Here's a custom-in-progress for EFNY:

I reckon I still prefer the original poster.

what do you guys think of this?

[Big-byrd]

have any of you brilliant artist done a cover for In bruges?

[travis8214]

Originally Posted by Rusty100

I reckon I still prefer the original poster.

what do you guys think of this?

nice

[Rusty100]

based off a great poster design i found from the guys over at mondo

[HanaBi]

Originally Posted by Rusty100

I reckon I still prefer the original poster.

what do you guys think of this?

That looks awesome. I was looking at that poster art yesterday, wondering what Snake was shooting at (maybe a snake)?

[HanaBi]

I must say bpmford is a great designer as well a teacher!

[Rusty100]

trying to come up with a better cover for Australia's Evil Dead 2, here's where I am so far

[integrafied1]

Originally Posted by Big-byrd

have any of you brilliant artist done a cover for In bruges?

I second this request.

[Tchotchke]

Originally Posted by HanaBi

Here's a custom I did a while back. PM if interested - thanks!

Now that is a damn great cover!

And not to repeat the graphics again, but looking forward to seeing how your EFNY cover turns out!

[homer5ive]

Originally Posted by HanaBi

I'd love to take a crack at it, just need the time!

Here's a custom-in-progress for EFNY:

Thats a great Escape cover. Also can wait to see what you do with Halloween.

[homer5ive]

Originally Posted by SethRex

My attempt at Halloween. It's be simplistic as usual given what program I have, but I came up with something somewhat decent.

That looks great. Now if there were stats on the back, I gues thats what you call em. Tells you what sound its presented in and aspect ratio. Still is awesome.

[Tchotchke]

Originally Posted by Rusty100

based off a great poster design i found from the guys over at mondo

That is a great design! Hope you work it up!

[SethRex]

Originally Posted by homer5ive

That looks great. Now if there were stats on the back, I gues thats what you call em. Tells you what sound its presented in and aspect ratio. Still is awesome.

Edit:

Here is the new version with Specs.

[kenny3001]

well my 2nd 3-D blu-ray cover is put in hold until i can get it right
also bpmford if your reading this i use paint.net i cant afford photoshop

[HanaBi]

Here is the (final?) EFNY cover. PM if interested - thanks!



EDIT: Sorry, had the hi-res there for a minute!

[DreamScar]

It looks great except for the fact that you used the same pic three times