Mar
10
Simple Ways to Cut Down CD Manufacturing Costs
Filed Under CD Manufacturing, CD Packaging, DVD Packaging | Leave a Comment
With the rising popularity of Internet downloads, youtube, and piracy, CD sales is affected significantly. It is important to save every penny in the CD manufacturing costs in order for your music to thrive in this tough market. There are plenty of ways to do cut down your CD Manufacturing expenses without compromising the quality of your music and the attractiveness of your CD packaging. The trick is to do some research from other musicians, get the help of some people, and to follow the adage “ less is more”.
If you are producing an album for the first time and you do not have a very big budget, here are simple ways for you to cut down CD manufacturing costs.
Make your own CD Packaging design. Instead of hiring a graphic designer for your CD packaging, why don’t you unleash your creative side and make your own album art. Or if you do not have an artistic flair, you may have band members, friends, or relatives who’s really good at CD packaging art and is willing to do it for you free of charge. Do not be ashamed to ask for help from them. Remember, you are still a rising star and you need all the help you can get. Just make sure the person you choose is reliable so you would have less worries and headaches. Do not forget to credit the designer in your album!
Limit the number of pages. You have to decide on what to include inside your CD packaging. If you want to cut-down costs, it would be helpful if you limit the number of pages and only include the most essential information. Is it really necessary to include your bio, your photos, and the song lyrics in your CD packaging? If you are a new band, these add-ons could help you get recognized but always remember that there is Myspace or twitter if you want more promotion.
Do not use clear cases. Aside from the fact that clear cases usually cost a bit higher than regular jewel box cases, using clear cases also makes it necessary for you to print on both sides of the inlay card. This simply means additional paper, additional design, additional printing, and of course additional expenses.
Research on inexpensive CD Manufacturing companies. Our goal is to cut down CD manufacturing cost without compromising quality. It is not wise if you print the CD packaging using your home printer and burn CDs using your computer. The cheap quality of your album may ruin your career before it even started! The best way to do it is by having your album manufactured by a CD Manufacturing company that’s known for it’s good quality and low charge. The best thing you can do is ask other independent musicians for the best deals.
Mar
10
Kick Ass Packaging of the Week: Spinal Tap’s ‘Back From the Dead’
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This awesome packaging by Brian Porizek was nominated in the recent Grammy Awards for Best Packaging alongside Sagmeister’s work for Byrne & Eno and four other nominees. Sagmeister bagged the trophy but I should say this one is almost equally remarkable.
What I love most about this CD packaging is that it involves the buyers in the creative process of assembling this beautiful paper art. When you buy it in the store, it looks like a normal-sized digipack.
But when you open the album, Viola!
It unfolds into a quirky cardboard cutout. Awesome!
The cardboard can then be assembled to form a Spinal Tap stage show diorama that looks like this.
It may look a bit complicated but the 3-step instruction card and an easy-to-follow online instructional video makes it much easier.
First you lay everything flat on the table. Then you fold the flaps around inserts in interlocking tabs until each one fits nicely. Once the stadium is properly set-up, you can pull out the 20-page book, DVD, and CD. This collector’s item looks great in any shelf.
All photos are from frolab
Mar
4
Kick Ass Packaging of the Week: Byrne & Eno’s Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Filed Under CD Packaging, DVD Packaging | 1 Comment
If you like Vonnegut Dollhouse’s uber cool CD packaging, then it is without a doubt that you will love this,too. I do, I do, I do a million time over! This limited Sagmeister-designed package of David Byrne and Brian Eno’s Everything That Happens Will Happen Today is just so A-W-E-S-O-M-E! In fact, it has convinced me to start collecting unique CD packaging (and why not since I work in this industry anyway).
The package is a white tin can with a little suburban house on it. When you open the can, you can hear a hammering and an old door creaking. The can contains two grassy-looking CDs, a miniature hardbound book, a small capsule, and a dice. I am suffocated by its awesomeness.
All photos from Creative Review
Feb
26
CD Packaging: Tips for Graphic Designers
Filed Under CD Packaging | 5 Comments
Graphic designers play a very important role in making excellent CD Packaging. But talent alone will not make you successful in the CD packaging industry because there are plenty of very talented graphic artists nowadays. In order for you to stand out in the CD Packaging industry, you must not only be good with your hands. You also have to be updated with the latest trends of CD packaging, you have to develop good communication skills with your clients, and more importantly you have to be professional. If you are a new graphic designer who’s venturing in CD Packaging, here are some basic tips and tricks for you to be on top of the game.
Be updated on the latest CD packaging trends
I understand that you are so swamped with work that you barely have time to sip a cup of coffee. With your tight deadlines and demanding clients, who has time to read? If you want to have a steady career in CD packaging and if you want to be happily busy all year-round, you should take time to read up on the latest CD packaging news and trends. It is important that you are updated on the latest technology, the ins and outs of the industry, and the latest news in CD Packaging. I know the thought of it seems tedious but this doesn’t have to be a menial task at all. Start small by devoting yourself to reading at least one article or one blog post a day. Then once you get the hang of it, you can start reading magazines and books.
Have a good relationship with the musicians
Aside from talent, it is necessary for you to have good people skills. If you rarely talk, if you are always grumpy and aloof, if you do not respect deadlines, if you disrespect the artist in any way, It is not likely that they will hire you for their second album. Worse, they will tell all their friends not to get you. And you know words do come around faster than lighting in the music industry. You do not have to be a social butterfly because that could be very tiring at times. As long as you’re not disrespecting them, as long as you’re professional with your work, then you will definitely go a long way in the CD packaging industry.
Make suggestions revolving on what the artist wants
Always consider what the musicians want to see in their CD packaging and make your ideas and suggestions revolve around it. It is their album after all. Do not insist your ideas too much to the point that you’ve completely disregarded the client’s ideas unless you do not mind major revisions in the end.
Create 3- 5 variations of your design
After you have a long talk with the musicians about the CD packaging design, make at least 3 -5 variations so that they would have options. Most of the time, what’s in the artist’s imagination cannot be expressed accurately because imagination is abstract and there are lots of barriers of communication. Sometimes also, there are things that look great in our minds but look dull in paper. In an attempt to match the imagination and the output and to give the client more options, variations are necessary.
Stick to the agreed CD packaging design
When they give suggestions to the design, stick to it when making your revisions or else you’ll just be wasting more time and energy when you do yet another revision. Do not be stubborn and pushy with your ideas. Remember, it’s their album, it’s their money, and the final decision is theirs.
Feb
18
How to Conceptualize Creative CD Packaging
Filed Under CD Packaging | 2 Comments
The CD packaging is mainly used to store and protect CDs and DVDs but it has lots of other functions aside from the obvious. CD packaging can also be used to increase product sales, to define the musician’s image and style, and to convince the consumers to buy the album instead of downloading songs or buying pirated CDs. Without a doubt,, CD packaging plays a very vital role in the music retail industry.
If you are a graphic designer venturing in the CD packaging industry or if you are a musician who wants to do his own CD Packaging, here is a step-by-step guide in conceptualizing CD Packaging.
Get to know the musicians
Before you even start to think of ideas for the CD packaging, you must first get to know the musicians. Do a quick online research about them before you have your first meeting. And during the meeting, casually ask the musicians some questions that could help you define their personality. Ask them about their simple and not-so-simple life philosophies, about their music icons, about their influences. For new musicians, it would be helpful if you ask them straight out on what kind of image they want to portray. Do they want to be the cool psychedelic nerds or the intellectual hippies?
Ask the musicians what they want to see in the CD packaging
How to Conceptualize Creative CD Packaging
Most likely the musicians already has a concept running around his head before they contacted you. You need to weed it out from them so you can come up with one solid concept.
Aside from the concept, you should also ask them what they want to include inside the CD packaging. Do they want to include a brief bio, a picture gallery, or the song lyrics? Do they want to include freebies or coupons? Ask all the necessary details and specifications so you can consider them when conceptualizing the CD packaging.
Listen to the album and write down adjectives
Some designers really listen through the whole album while thinking of a concept to get the overall feel of it. A simpler way is to ask the musicians of one song that they think defines the personality of the whole album. While brainstorming, listen to it on loop and write down adjectives, movies, pegs, and images that pop on your head. Of course, do not forget to consider the musician’s personality and their concept as well. it is their album after all.
Find pegs of your design
You already have creative ideas in your head about the CD packaging design. But sometimes, it is difficult to articulate our visual ideas succinctly to our clients. The easiest way to express these abstract ideas is by presenting pegs. These are pictures, movies, or sources of inspiration that more or less resembles your concept. Look for at least 5-6 images that represent your idea and present it to your clients
Create at least 3 versions of your design
After you and the client have clearly agreed on a concept, it’s now time to do the actual designs. Make at least 3 variations so you would know what looks best. A simple detail or color change could have a huge impact on the overall CD Packaging design.
Make necessary revisions
After presenting your designs, expect some minor revisions and suggestions from the client. A good communication skill is a must if you are in this industry. The better your communication skills, the less likely you’ll make major revisions. Do not put up with a client who demands too many revisions. If you’ve clearly agreed on a concept beforehand, then both of you should respect that.
It’s ready for reproduction
Once they are happy with the CD Packaging, it is now time to send the design over to their CD manufacturing company for mass reproduction.
Feb
16
5 Ways to Make a Creative CD Packaging
Filed Under CD Packaging | 4 Comments
Creative CD Packaging is not just a minor addition to your album. In this day where new bands are sprouting like mushrooms and the internet is gloriously sipping our possible profit like a thirty cow on a summer day, creative CD packaging is a MUST! Like anything in this world, a thing or person has to attract us from the outside before we start falling in love with what’s inside (Unless, of course, if you are already very famous for your music). In some cases, we could not even care less of what’s inside anymore because we’re already mesmerized by what we see on the outside. Yes, some people do buy albums mainly because of its creative CD packaging. We live in a world that has bias for beautiful things therefore, as musicians, we must take CD packaging seriously because it seriously affects sales.
If you are a new band that’s trying to find an awesome idea for your album cover, here are some surefire ways to make your album stand out from the shelf.
Use a catchy image
If you are still starting up and you do not want to spend too much on the CD packaging, then this is the best option for you. It doesn’t cost much but it could be as eye grabbing as the other techniques below. All you need is a kick-ass concept and a still camera that has a high resolution. Do not simply place a plain photo of your band. Remember, they do not know you yet and CD covers with unfamiliar faces do not interest buyers at all. Be creative with your CD Packaging! Make your cover a great work of art. If you are having a tough time with your concept, you can check other CD packaging online for inspiration. It also helps if you ask help from a graphic designer because they know a lot of techniques to make your album art look awesome. They know the rules of aesthetics and probably know what works.
Choose glossy paper over matte
Glossy paper adds instant life to your album. If you have a glossy album cover, it has a big advantage over the plain ones beside it because shiny objects attract the eye. In fact, a glossy CD packaging catches attention even if the consumers are meters away from it. You can be sure it would be the first one they pick especially if it has a catchy image.
Instead of standard jewel cases, try using other materials
The consumers are used to seeing jewel cases and digipacks. Anything that’s not made of these materials instantly grabs their attention. Try to think out of the box and come up with an extraordinary idea for your CD packaging. You can use fabrics, metals, foil packs, kitchenware..anything you can think of! Just make sure that the case is still functional. By that, it should protect the CD from dust, water, and termites. Also consider the shipping hassles and cost when working on your CD packaging design. That’s what you call working within the box!
The bigger, the better
Yes, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s put an end to the argument of whether size really matters when it comes to grabbing our attention. It does. Period. The human brain simply pays more attention to big things. You can put this in mind when thinking of a concept for a catchy image, or with your text, or with the material of the pack. A bigger CD packaging in line with standard-sized jewel cases would instantly gain more attention even if the album art is not over the top.
Include freebies
Include a small item in your album and the consumers would instantly think that they’re getting much more from what they paid for. This would also make the fans want to buy the album instead of downloading your songs from the internet. Think of one item that has relevance to your band, to your album name, or to the overall concept of your CD packaging. For example, if your name is Three-D, you can give them cool paper 3-D glasses. Just make sure it’s not more expensive than the album itself or they would think twice in buying it.
There are literally thousands of ways for you to make your CD packaging look more interesting. As you can see, you do not have to spend too much or to have an exaggerated concept to produce a kick ass CD package. These little additions are more than enough to make your album stand out. Good luck!
Sep
20
Kick-Ass packaging of the Week: Animal Collective’s ‘Merriweather Post Pavilion’
Filed Under CD Packaging | Leave a Comment
No, it is not moving and yes your eyes are still fine. This is the cover image of Merriweather Post Pavilion, the 8th studio album of Animal Collective.
The much-anticipated and now celebrated album boast trippy cover art inspired by the work of Japanese psychologist Akiyoshi Kitaoka. Kitaoka has created heaps of incredible visual illusions that seem to move.
The concept is simple and not over-the-top but it definitely grabs attention. Plus, this is definitely a conversation starter! This album can even help you score some chicks.
You: Hey, check this out. It’s moving!
Hot Chick: No it isn’t dumb ass!
You: No…it’s really moving!
Sep
11
One Crazy Invention!
Filed Under CD Packaging | Leave a Comment
It’s a CD Jewel case but it acts like an Ipod therefore I am calling it CD-pod. Imagine the confusion you will give to your seatmate on the subway as you rock out with your… CD case. This invention is CRAZZZZY! Just thinking about the people’s puzzled faces makes me want to buy it right now!
This awesome invention was made by Moldover. He has designed a CD holder out of a custom circuit board that has the all the CD information (including track titles) written out in circuitry! But that would just be a novelty unless the circuit board was actually functional in some way. Well, it IS! It’s a light-sensitive theramin! (You know, those “musical instruments” that look like television antennas that alter frequency based on how far away your hand is. They’re used a lot in cartoons and Flaming Lips albums.)
So not only can you actually make music with your CD packaging, but it comes with a headphone jack built in so you can do so without bothering the person next to you on the subway! Awesome!
The deluxe circuit board version is $50 and available at Moldover.com.
Some may say this is overly done and is trying too hard. But come on, isn’t that what we should be doing? Besides, this is just too good to pass up. I ‘m sure you are as curious about it as I am.
Check out this video pitch he made himself:
Sep
8
Kick-Ass Packaging of the Week: Flight of the Conchords
Filed Under CD Packaging, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Flight of the Conchords’ Bret and Jermaine officially made the crossover from TV stars to rock stars via this full-length self-titled album. If you still haven’t seen them on HBO, one youtube video can definitely convince you that these guys are awesome cool. The pair is seriously funny and is definitely worth every penny and time. Aside from the content of this album, you will also fall in love with the stunning package especially if you are into paper stuff and saving mother earth. The case is made of hard paper that has a gorgeous colorful illustration and pop-up artwork. Awesome!
Aug
25
Kick-Ass Packaging of the Week: Vonnegut Dollhouse
Filed Under CD Packaging, DVD Packaging | 1 Comment
I know this album was out two years ago but I just cannot not include it on my Kick-Ass Packaging list! I am a sucker for miniatures so you must have an idea how much I drooled over this very inventive Vonnegut Dollhouse CD packaging by Jeff Harrison of Rethink Communications.
He actually built scale models of a house and photographed each panel. I bet he had lots of fun while doing this! Very well done Jeff!
