Book Cover Design- part 1

I have decided to do what I love and go for the piper of a Celtic folk band. The title of my book is Camdyn Faser: A Piper’s Life by Patti-Lynne Bradley. The front cover will have a picture of the piper and he will be in a dark shadow because I like the idea of the elusive artist. The background will be give the feeling of a Scottish sunset and it will be slightly opaque. The artist’s name will have large Celtic knotted beginning letters (C and F) and I plan to play with some new layer techniques. The spine of the book cover will have a low opacity version of the Celtic monogram design underneath the title of the book and the author’s name. The back cover will have the Fraser clan’s coat of arms with the tartan underneath it. Right above and directly below will be the full Celtic monogram design. On the bottom of the back cover will be the book description. This book cover is effective because I am hoping that it would capture the attention of anyone who looked at it and make a consumer want to purchase it. I hope it turns out the way I envision it!

Bagpiper 2- http://www.midwestgolfblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ArcadiaBluffs-5_10-149_NYP.jpg

Crest and Tartan- http://www.heraldry.ws/gallery/fraser-badge.png

Celtic design- http://www.documentsanddesigns.com/reception_accessories/Cultural/Celltic/Claddagh_Gold_Silver_Celtic.htm

Background- http://hdw.datawallpaper.com/nature/sunset-over-scottish-hills-316214.jpg

C- http://www.creatricesbroderiemachine.com/IMG/jpg/FT/212-LETTRE-C.jpg

F- http://www.creatricesbroderiemachine.com/IMG/jpg/FT/212-LETTRE-F.jpg
tartan- http://www.tartanandclan.com/category/fraser_of_lovat_modern_tartan.html

Depression Awareness Poster part 2

This was much harder than I expected it to be. I worked with more layers than I ever have in so many ways! I blended layers, used almost all of the toolbox options on the left (smudge, blur, dodge, burn, clone stamp, color replacement, etc.) in order to make this picture look realistic. I have to admit, I am not 100% happy with the final outcome as I would have liked the separate images to look a bit more like they belonged together, but overall I feel as though the poster is successful. I hope it conveys the message that I envisioned. Please tell me what you think! Looking forward to feedback. Thanks!

Here is the revised version:

The images I used and the websites where I found them are posted below.

Retrieved from http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/703/gordonkirby.jpg/
Retrieved from http://www.vampyvarnish.com/2012/10/depression-awareness-month
Retrieved from http://blogs.psychcentral.com/relationships-balance/files/2013/01/m_id_164062_depression.jpg
Retrieved from http://www.wildmind.org/posture/lying-down
Retrieved from http://bringingforthworldequality.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/glyder_fawr_rocks.jpg

Retrieved from http://firstconcepts.com/testfirst/category/insights-into-success/strategy-insights-in-to-success/

The statistics were retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsdepression/index.html

Depression Awareness part 1

There are no words, pictures, or designs that can truly explain how a person struggling with depression feels. If you haven’t actually experienced depression, it is nearly impossible to understand. Watching a loved one go through it and not being able to help is the definition of helplessness. Depression is something that I deal with every day of my life. It is an issue that does not get enough attention because in my opinion, it is so misunderstood. Not everyone who has depression wants to hurt themselves, it isn’t about that. There are days that no matter how hard you try, you just can’t get out of bed or off of the couch. You don’t answer the phone or go out in public because you just can’t put on the fake happy face anymore. Feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, and an overall lack of enthusiasm consume your every thought. For many people, it feels as though there is a literal weight on your chest.

For my awareness poster, I wanted to do the best I could at expressing what it’s like for a person with depression every day of their lives. The green ribbon is the Depression awareness symbol so that is why I chose to use a green background. I also wanted to show that people who suffer from depression are aware of the good things in life, by incorporating the flowers on vines. They are reaching upwards to show hope. The woman lying on the ground with a blank expression on her face is just existing, but the weight of the bricks on her chest make it impossible to get up and experience life. And trapped inside her is a child screaming in pain. I am hoping to keep this poster as simple as possible, but I also wanted to add the words in order to properly convey my message.  

Photomontage Part 2

Well here is my final image! I made a few changes from my original design because I wanted to keep the image as simple as possible. I loved the idea of using a silhouetted sun, so I found a new image which incorporated Celtic knots. I really think the Culloden Kings came to life through the use of adding multiple layers, layer styles- outer glow and drop shadow, and varying opacity levels. This was the first time I used layer styles and my favorite by far was the drop shadow. This style is what gives the band members depth in contrast to the background image. Another tool that I used which made my life SO much easier was the background eraser tool. For each one of the silhouetted images, I just clicked around the black portions in order to erase the white background. Then I went in and used the eraser tool for the white that was left behind. I am pretty happy with the way my project turned out and I hope you all like it!

Photomontage Part 1- Culloden Kings

I've had quite a bit of inspiration for this project, including one of my favorite Celtic bands- Enter The Haggis, my heritage, and a book series I have been reading recently called Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon. One of my closest friends introduced me to the band and she and I have seen about 12 of their concerts within the last 5 years. They have an infectious, upbeat sound with songs that speak a message. My dad is 80% Scottish and for reasons I can't explain, I have always felt a very strong connection to this heritage. One day I will travel to Scotland, and I may never come back! Everything about the culture fascinates me, especially the bagpipes in the music. So, I chose the name "Culloden Kings" for my fictitious band, referring to the great battle at Culloden which took place in 1746. 
My initial sketch is very simple, but I think it will be quite complicated when I make my attempt in Photoshop. The background will be the image of the Cliffs of Moher, in Scotland. The sun with prominent rays shooting from it, will have the vocalist sitting upon one of its rays. In the center, background, and with a very low opacity I will have the painting of the Battle of Culloden. Then the drummer and piper will be sitting on the water, with the piper directly in the lower center of the poster. And lastly, the violinist will stand on top of the cliff. I chose silhouettes to emphasize the battle, and not necessarily the band members.   

       

Well here we go! I have never blogged before and I have no idea what I am doing. Wish me lots of luck folks!