For this project, students were asked to create a compact disc package, based on a novel that they were  currently reading.  Students could name a band, 'write' 10 songs, give information on band members (characters from the book), and write liner notes for their CD.  Students gathered graphic images from a variety of sources, including:  magazines, clip art, Internet sources, and scanned images that they had drawn themselves.

Students looked at CD cover design, and noted both the format and size of the various part of compact disc packaging.  we found that their were two main parts:

booklet:  a booklet that formed the front cover of the CD. In addition, the small booklet had a back cover and an inside spread.
back cover:  this part of the packaging often included song titles.  Also, side flaps included the title of the CD and/or the band name.

We also measured the parts of the CD packaging and came up with these dimensions:

booklet:  4.75 inches tall by 9.5 inches wide, fully opened.
back cover:  4.625 inches tall by 5.875 inches wide, including side flaps

The following diagram shows the layout:

Title of CD
Band Members (characters in the novel and the instruments/vocals they perform)
Song Titles (10 original songs)
Graphics (from a variety of sources)
Liner notes (synopsis of story, 'thanks to....', place the music was recorded, etc.)

We talked awhile about different music genres, including Top 40, Punk, Rap, Gothic, Folk, Alternative, etc.  Students could decide which type of music group they wanted to portray:  for example, in the novel "Jane Eyre", they could use a Gothic style of music, call the band "Tower Wench" and go along the horror aspect of the novel.  Or, they could go with a Top 40 style of music, call the band "Plain Jane" and write love songs.

Students spent time in the classroom working on titles for songs, band names, and writing lists of band members, liner notes, etc.  A worksheet with a list of categories helps students organize their writing.  They also decided which type of images they needed for their package.  They looked through magazines for images to scan, some created collages, while other students drew simple black outline drawings that they filled in with color on the computer.  After students had collected all their resources, they were ready to go into the computer lab.

Students were instructed how to perform some basic functions on Adobe Photoshop 4.0.  They had some sample files they had been provided with to 'play' with, and they used the various filters and learned about a variety of tools and commands, including:

layers
transforming size
text
image size
rulers 
color modes
filters
print commands
the desktop

There is a lot of information to learn, so I created a 'cheat sheet' for common tasks. Here's a copy:

Students scanned images and saved them onto their network folders.  They 'surfed' the Internet for images and saved them to the same folders.  After manipulating their images, they were ready to begin building their package.

To begin with, they created 3 new files to the correct dimensions, saving these files as booklet1, booklet2, and backcover.  They cut and pasted images, using the rulers to be sure they placed their images where they were supposed to be.  After filling the area with images/shapes/colors, they were ready to add the text.

When working with text on this project, it is important to understand the layer concept.  Each time you add a new text box, you create a new layer, which is like working with each layer on a transparent sheet.  You need to know which layer you are on, because you can only alter the images/text on that layer.

While adding text, emphasis is placed on font styles and color.  The colors need to work well with the images, and the number of different colors and fonts used should be limited for easier reading.  It's easier to work with blocks of fonts, such as a list of songs, band members, etc., moving the block around to its best advantage.

When the files were complete, students printed them out (landscape orientation) on a color printer.  Students then cut out their prints tot he correct sizes, and inserted them into a standard CD jewel case.