Best place for CD artwork/packaging design

[adclark]

The artwork for my EP will be important. I know the disc pmakers can do it...but I prefer somebody separate. What kind of price should I expect for the design and templates to send off to disc makers?

[andrewj]

Originally Posted by adclark

The artwork for my EP will be important. I know the disc pmakers can do it...but I prefer somebody separate. What kind of price should I expect for the design and templates to send off to disc makers?

depends on so many thinks! do you have photos? what are you thinking of? classic layout jobs cost between 500 and 1000$ Plus Illustrations, Photos and so on and so on! Please specify and I can tell you what to do! I have a design studio, so I know the prices very good! Perhaps I have a cheap solution for you! We work with lots of other designers, too!

[adclark]

I'll mainly pick out stock photography (royalty free) and purchase images I like. I'm really interested in the 4 panel Digipaks. I really want to stay away from jewel cases. This will probably be a four/five song EP. I would like to use stock photography on all panels (probably color). I would also seek advice/ideas from the designer as well

[andrewj]

Originally Posted by adclark

I'll mainly pick out stock photography (royalty free) and purchase images I like. I'm really interested in the 4 panel Digipaks. I really want to stay away from jewel cases. This will probably be a four/five song EP. I would like to use stock photography on all panels (probably color). I would also seek advice/ideas from the designer as well

First idea: Write down everything you want to tell with the design. Who is the artist, what is the main song about, which sort of music is that, what do you have (Band/Artist Photos, Logos, Signs, or do you have a top three of albums in the same category as your product?). Then you should take this rough brief with the main mission (Digipack) and search for some Graphic Design Universities near you. There are two ways: First pin it to the black board and write how much are you willing to pay, second: Go to a teacher there and tell him about this job perhaps he will brief a whole class, then you have to pay this money and it will be cut into parts for first second and third price, there! On that way you will get a lot of totally different approaches which is sometimes the best solution if your ideas are as rough as they are. And of course it is often very inspiring. Plus the schoolars make illustrations, photos and everything else included!

[andrewj]

There is no guarantee that this is as good as from a pro, but often it is!

Please do not all take this way, I still need clients!

[allencollins]

call bruce at superdups
tell him 'Witch Bonnie' sent ya

[ShamansDream]

Check with your local art school and see if someone would like to take on a project. This can be fun and enlightening. New blood is always inspiring

If you want to pay the standard rate, yes, you could be into this a grand easily. Being prepared is the only cost cutting measure. I've designed 7 covers for indy projects. It can be very time consuming if you are not sure of the direction you want to go. The easiest one was when the artist knew exactly what he wanted. Photo shoot one day, album covers and disk labels the next.

Remember logos and type fonts are defining elements. You may well be stuck with it as you move forward. Give this a lot of thought or consideration.

[andrewj]

Originally Posted by ShamansDream

Remember logos and type fonts are defining elements. You may well be stuck with it as you move forward. Give this a lot of thought or consideration.

Definately a good advice! Totally forgot to add this! You are right 90% of the people and 60% of the designers still have no idea of this importance!

Not to mention how many self-entitled designers are not able to design! Lot of great illustrator do so nice drawings, call their self designers, but can not design! Design is conceptual aesthetic! And this is much harder than free art!