Gif Making

For the about pages we decided to create gifs. Since i know how to do this using photoshop i took control:

I used final cut express to cut the clips that i wanted of the band for the gifs i then exported them using quick time conversion, I also slowed each clip down to 50% so it's slower and not as snappy as some gifs can be.
Using import video frames to layers in Photoshop and setting the workshop to animation i can easily edit the small clip and the gif.

I put all the frames into a group and changed the run time to no delay for a smooth motion. I then edited the vibrance, brightness, and levels of the clip and then added the text. 

Making the image smaller makes it easier to export and run. I changed all the clips to 600 width (with varying heights)

Exporting it using Save for web i kept the colours to max to have the full effect of the gif and i set the looping options to forever to have a continuous loop through. The black and white also made it easier to export as the colours were not affecting it. In the end i made the gifs for the website about pages and for the tumblr. 

View: 

http://unlucky-like-us.tumblr.com/post/133532451944

Digipak Production

This is our initial design. After feedback we decided to change it a lot more. We added color and changed the images we used. 

With this I decided to add the smoke effect that we initially wanted in our original design. I also swapped around some images and added the green smoke. With feedback from AL and Nicola we decided to change the bottom left image and the back to include more albums and change the size of the font. 

Lastly, We had to tweak it a little bit. I changed the bottom left image and added logos and copyright text to the bottom. We also decided on keeping the three panels black and white for continuity with the video and also it will look good when printed out. Overall this is the final design and we will get some feedback to see if we can change it.

We also created a process video to show the process and the change that the digipak has gone through
Digipak Transformation from Conor Jackson on Vimeo.

Digipak Editing (6/11/15)

I began to edit the digipak based off the feedback we got from the questionnaire and teachers. I tested out a few fonts from dafont.com 

but in the end i decided the Argentina font suited it the best. 

I decided to use a design with the smoke effect we originally agreed on in our initial pitch. 

Website Editing

I created a tour page with locations, dates and buy buttons. I searched some arenas in the UK and chose those. i also stuck with the green theme with the buttons. 

I also gave titles to all the webpages so it has a recurring theme.

Digipak 7/10/15-15/10/15

Conor took over most of the creation of the digipak, We however put input in on how to improve it and I created the Right Fold. We stuck to the simplistic black and white theme. I also created the Inside Left Fold.

I forgot to take progress shots so I annotated each layer to what i did.

UPDATE - 16/10/15
I finished one of the panels and i took inspiration from the Kooks - Shine On digipak

I created the collage using Befunky.com - I used the black and white images off the website and repeated them but making sure none were next to eachother. I also used the same background conor had been using throughout the digipak with the bevel and emboss effect. 

I then pasted it over the image and relayed it a couple of times to cover the band

Magazine

I thought since a lot of bands appear on magazines i could make a front cover which we could put on the social medias to make them look interesting with the line "catch us in NME" or something else. This was also a photoshop exercise to get me used to editing.

I Used NME since it is a well known Indie rock magazine. http://www.nme.com/

I searched for an  example of their front cover and copied it, this is the front cover featuring the Foals. 

After taking a step back away from the magazine i came back and did some touch ups such as making NME smaller and changing the effect over the pictures.

Process Video: 

Digipak Mockup

From the shoot on 6/10 i decided to begin making some mock-up of digipak front covers and back covers.

I used a different font that I usually used. This font is a lot more professional looking and also a very serious vibe which is done for a lot of CDS in the indie rock genre

I like this cover the most as it is very simplistic and still keeps the bands image up. The symbolism of using the four leaf clover shows it as their symbol across all their media products. It was the 3rd attempt at a front cover. 

I used the titles from biffy clyros album 'opposites'. I also used the barcode off google and when we create an actual digipak we will change it. I thought the effect of the band looking back was a good idea however when i actually did it it does look quite tacky and cheap. 

I decided to go more simplistic with lowering the size of the stroke to 1 instead of 3, this gives it a sharper effect and a better look in my opinion. The logo in the corner refers back to the band which is why i added it so it doesn't look too plain. I decided on doing the stereotypical song names down the middle which is done with a lot of Digipaks.

For this one i thought it looked quite tacky as well and not very professional. I think overall i like the simplistic designed ones more than anything but i think i need to speak with my group about adding colour maybe to the paks or something to stand out. 

Brush Tests

For our Digipak we will need to use specialist brushes for specific effects in Photoshop. A lot of people offer brushes for free, since we want a smokey effect on our digipak i decided to look up some free brushes to use. I found the site Brusheezy.com where brushes may be used for commercial artwork and No credits are required.

For the smokey brushes:

Here

Here

First Pack Test:

The pack comes with a lot of different options

A test under the black background proves it to look realistic and fairly effective 

Second Pack Test:

This comes with a lot less options but the ones given are still interesting and effective

This pack has a denser type of smoke and therefore will be helpful for more in the background. 

Camera Test 2

Camera: Panasonic HC-V250 

We found the quality was a lot better and we are familiar with the college camera. It was also handy as it came with a tripod. The slow motion also works well with this camera.

Camera test shot 1

Camera: Sony N50

We did a quick test shot with a different camera than the one college offers just to see the quality.