MAKING THE PROPS

In order to create a set as close to the 'imagined', synaesthetic one as possible, Lauren and I decided that it would be best to create as much of our own props as we could do so. The video below depicts this process....

GAINING AUTHORISATION

As Mika is owned by Universal studios, in order to gain authorisation we had to get in touch with this record label. Here is the email we received...

THE CD DESIGN

The photo below is of the cd I designed for the music (‘lollipop’) to be played through. 

In order to achieve this, I initially increased the saturation, hue, brightness and contrast of sweetie canvas image (as shown below). Then I created the shape of a circle with the tool key and used the ‘magic wand’ to merge the image into the round shape. I then used the tool key to create another, smaller, circle. This time I filled it white and placed it in the centre of the image, thus forming a CD look. I also added some images of placards that I had created on to this image to add to the funky effect (as shown below).

As a result of erasing the backgrounds of the placards, adjusting its brightness and contrast, and rotating them to align with the edges of the circle, the placards became incorporated into this design. 

When deciding on how to approach designing my CD, I had a look at some of Mika’s existing digipacks and CDs. This was very helpful as I understood the artistic pathway Mika intended for his fans to decipher through his creative work. He tended to be fond of colour and pop art. Therefore, I felt that it was essential to follow this convention of his. 

However, what makes our CD style differ to his is the   notion of youth and innocence it portrays rather than (as Mika does) ambition and freedom. 

THE INNER COVERS OF THE DIGIPAK

Seeing as my front and back covers are extremely colourful and vibrant, i decided that it would be nice to create a subtle contrast with the inside covers. Therefore, i chose to use one image, rather than many, and edit this effectively yet not to much...

For the left side of the cover I edited the photo of one of my actors holding roses (as shown below) simply by adding the sketch effect. 

This is what makes the image look graining and gives it a drawn on effect. In order to highlight some of the boys significant aspects (e.g. moustache and sunflowers on hat), i adjusted the contrast levels. Through using the rubber and changing it's effect to a smooth edged one, i  smudged the bottom area of the picture and filled the remaining parts of the square black so i could add the lyrics, "oh love's going to get you down..." in white font. 

 

For this photo I felt that, as there was so much already going on in the frame, abstract editing techniques weren't necessary this time. Instead, i increased the contrast, hue, saturation and definition and i also posterised the font on the placard (SING IT) which is why it looks somewhat shimmery. Furthermore, i created a lens flare in order to make the atmosphere seem warmer and happier. The glare starts in the left hand corner and there are 8 pink rays which, although difficult to see, added to the vibrant feel of this image. 

As a result of placing the two inner covers next to one another and observing how well the two looked next to eachother, I came to the conclusion that the images juxtaposed one another and therefore one of them had to be changed. Seeing as the front and back covers are extremely vibrant and colourfully edited, I decided that it would be nice if the inner covers were more simplistic (thus lacking abstract effects and font). Therefore, I chose to change the first image as it didn't fit this criteria. In order to do this I undid the effects and deleted the font. Instead I just increased the contrast, sharpened the image more and adjusted the hue, saturation and brightness. I ended up having created this...

DIGIPACK COVER

The video below depicts the process of how i developed a single image that i took of some lollipops to the final digipack cover....

This image is my final piece for the front cover of my digipack...