[MarshallX]

Hey Guys, my school just asked me to do the cover of the yearbook, I think i should come to you guys for some initiative before i jump on one idea, and then it turns out like crap. The cover has to be hwo music influences my school. My school logo is a raider, what do you guys think would be a good idea? I was thinking some sort of collage of bands and then our school logo in the middle but that didnt turn out so good. What do you guys think, it can be drawn or compiled, pllease help, dont just go back to another post, im relying on you guys!

[Satan]

This is how i'd approach an assignment like this:

Get yourself comfortable and relaxed, then sit yourself down with a pad and pencil, with whatever reference images you have to hand and your brief and brainstorm ideas for the theme, in boxes that match the proportion of your cover for a half hour to an hour.

- Keep your sketches small (eg. 2" x 3"), try to work out rough areas for the Title and other text that will be applied. (this need only be marked as rectangular blocks)

If you include figures (people) - keep them as stickmen or (better) basic geometric shapes.

- try and get as many done as you are able. (if you get variations on a theme - go with it)

Once you've done this, take a break for fifteen mins to half an hour - play a game - go for a walk - have some food, whatever, but give your brain a chance to rest up.

Then again - sit down and see which ideas seem to hold together best compositionally , keeping in mind both the theme you are working to and also the importance of the clarity of the areas of text/logos etc.
Draft out the ones that you think have merit at a larger scale (eg. 4" x 6") and think about where the areas of dark and light are to be. (light cross-hatching is enough at this point) Spend an hour or two on this stage.

Have another break 15 - 30 mins

Back to work

Keeping in mind whatever deadline you have for this, think about how you are best going to be able to achieve your ideas - ie, collage, hand drawn, CG etc.

By this point - you'll have a narrowed down selection of potential covers to be able to post in WIP and get feedback if you need it - but the chances are that you'll already have reached a decision as to which one is going to both work best and be done within your time-limit with the skills and equipment you have available to you.

I hope this is some help to you.

[ February 16, 2002: Message edited by: Satan ]

[MarshallX]

Wow, that is the greatest reply i have ever gotten at this board, i usually dont get any at all, thanks so much I think I will try that!

[Satan]

Well i can't promise results - i'm just saying that this is the approach i'd take if i were in your place.

[MarshallX]

Here is what i came up with for this, i think i can go somewhere with it, what you think satan

[Satan]

Time to start posting in WIP!

Post the ones that you felt had the most promise and see what feedback you get on them. - Keep them smallish - it'd be good to see them together for better comparison.

[edit] p.s. - check your private messages.

[ February 16, 2002: Message edited by: Satan ]