WEEK 5: CD Cover Assignment

Post your Poster or CD cover to your blog along with your Artist's Statement

I created a CD cover that would communicate a message to those who are or who have ever suffered from a breakup. I strived to create a heart-rending story by altering the scene into black and white. I used my friend, Sinead, as my model for this photo. I chose to position Sinead against a tree, facing away from the audience to represent isolation and hurt. I placed her legs straight out in front of her to draw the viewers eye to the title of the CD, “A New Day.” This was to look as though she is looking towards ‘a new day,’ looking to move out of the dark. Also, I chose to cut out a bright butterfly from a picture I took and incorporate it, as I feel it is a strong representation of a breakup. The beginning of a relationship is like being secure in a cocoon, safe and comfortable. However, once the cocoon cracks, the opening into the ‘new’ world without that security and familiarity is new and scary. Finding the strength to move on and leave is very emotional for many people.

Although the CD is referred to as “A New Day,” it would contain breakup songs, as they help the ‘healing’ process. They aid the individual to move on from the past and into the future, into “a new day.” The target audience for this particular CD would be women, ages 18 – 30. I envision this particular age group because this is the range when women are looking for love and struggling to find it. Many have been through a painful breakup. In general, women tend to be much more emotionally involved than men, therefore have a much different way of dealing with it.

The challenges I suffered with during this assignment were getting the right lighting in the shot. Originally, I wanted to create the same picture but with light rays streaming through the top left corner. I wanted to use light; however I was unable to get a shot with distinct enough detail and the right lighting. Despite that, I was able to learn how to use some tools within Photoshop. I learned how to crop out images, such as the butterfly, and how to use the layering tactics. I have not had too much experience with this program; therefore it was a long process to gain the full understanding of how everything works. The finished product of this piece is one I am content with. I think it is an accurate interpretation of my message. My original expectations were to have light rays, but I am content with the decision to go with the butterfly, I believe it symbolizes hope. I trust I was able to successfully address the target audience for this piece because it is a very common issue that all women have to struggle to overcome.

What I have learned from the critique from the class and Professor Warwick, was that I should not have incorporated the butterfly. I was told that it was a "cliche" that was terrible. I thought that it was a nice element to the picture, however they had valid reasons to think otherwise.