Starting a graphic design company?

  • Thread starter Thread starter patlang12
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patlang12 said:
So what do you guys think of that second one I posted?
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Do you think it looks professional like the ones you usually see in big cd stores? I think that's the question you should ask yourself first.

if your answer is "yes", then you belong to category 3. If it's "no", then you belong to category 2. Category 1 doesn't really matter for now.

Here are the 3 categories:
1- The ones who can make graphics and have taste.
2- The ones who cannot make graphics but have taste.
3- The ones who cannot make graphics and don't have taste.

Anyways, if you really want ppl's opinion, I think your second one sucks. Maybe even more than the first one if that's possible.
 
even cut out photos torn apart and scanned can make a good cover picture. then just add text and some photo shop. you got art. like there saying its the creativeness that will give you the edge.
 
lol @ people in this thread being completely oblivious to everyone else.
 
hate to burst your bubble, but neither of the things you submitted are very good quality for a CD. you know a couple of tricks and are mastering the basics, but you haven't taken it to the next level. don't feel like you need to pull out all the photoshop tricks for design, that's probably the biggest mistake newbies make when doing anything. i'm from the school of simple design, a few clean lines, good photography. keep practicing, but don't plan on charging for this stuff until you start getting some good "wows" from people. go online and search for different album covers, look at what makes them great and what makes them suck. good luck.
 
Go to a design school. You'll need the "paper" just to get in the client's door.
 
lbanks said:
Go to a design school. You'll need the "paper" just to get in the client's door.
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I don't really think I want to do this as a career. I just wanted something to do on the side. Because I don't have the "paper" I wasn't planning on charging very much.
 
patlang12 said:
I don't really think I want to do this as a career. I just wanted something to do on the side. Because I don't have the "paper" I wasn't planning on charging very much.
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Its a good career, just clients can be a PIA.
 
I know a guy in this area that boastes that he took out a loan and bought $10,000 worth of equipment to run a home photo studio. What a wast of money.I've seen his work. I can do the same thing better with my stuff worth way less. He had little creativity. Most people can make their own covers. He gets a lot of clients though and thats because he's actively seeking them constantly. But his lame talent will soon cath up to him.
 
altiris said:
I know a guy in this area that boastes that he took out a loan and bought $10,000 worth of equipment to run a home photo studio. What a wast of money.I've seen his work. I can do the same thing better with my stuff worth way less. He had little creativity. Most people can make their own covers. He gets a lot of clients though and thats because he's actively seeking them constantly. But his lame talent will soon cath up to him.
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all right, good to know.
 
So get out and advertise and make lots of covers, different styles so you can lay out your work.
 
altiris said:
So get out and advertise and make lots of covers, different styles so you can lay out your work.
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Yeah I guess so. You guys have kind of discouraged me, and I don't feel like doing this much anymore. :o Maybe I will make some more covers and post them here and ask you guys what you think about them.
 
Don't be discouraged, but you should know its a tough biz, almost as tough as music. And any advantage you can get will be needed to succeed, That why I said go to design school. A diploma will open doors that talent won't.
 
Don't let people discourage you. If you have the urge to try something, and it is not going to cost you more than you can afford to lose if it fails, TRY IT.

What have you got to lose?
If it doesn't work out, blow it off. At the least maybe it will make you a little spending money. All you are out is a little time, and at your age that is free!

Some advice:
1. You are posting here on a board with a lot of experienced musicians and artists of various types that are all alot older than you and have seen a lot. The reason we are here is because we want to perfect our "art", so most of us are sticklers for details. You are 17, and don't have alot of experience, so market yourself to bands that are your age or close. They probably don't have the cash to spend on professional artwork, and they are not going to be as critical or have as high expectations.

2. Look at CD covers from popular bands and try to figure out how they did that. Try to copy it - STRICTLY for the experience of it. Once you figure out some advanced techniques, you can integrate them into your ideas.

3.Find a photoshop forum and post a link to the CD cover if you cant figure out what the technique is called or how to do it. They can at least get you started, then look for tutorials for that technique on the web.

4. Be sure you know how to use Photoshop Actions.


Amra
 
amra said:
Don't let people discourage you. If you have the urge to try something, and it is not going to cost you more than you can afford to lose if it fails, TRY IT.

What have you got to lose?
If it doesn't work out, blow it off. At the least maybe it will make you a little spending money. All you are out is a little time, and at your age that is free!

Some advice:
1. You are posting here on a board with a lot of experienced musicians and artists of various types that are all alot older than you and have seen a lot. The reason we are here is because we want to perfect our "art", so most of us are sticklers for details. You are 17, and don't have alot of experience, so market yourself to bands that are your age or close. They probably don't have the cash to spend on professional artwork, and they are not going to be as critical or have as high expectations.

2. Look at CD covers from popular bands and try to figure out how they did that. Try to copy it - STRICTLY for the experience of it. Once you figure out some advanced techniques, you can integrate them into your ideas.

3.Find a photoshop forum and post a link to the CD cover if you cant figure out what the technique is called or how to do it. They can at least get you started, then look for tutorials for that technique on the web.

4. Be sure you know how to use Photoshop Actions.


Amra
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Ok thanks, I might still try it. The problem is that everybody at the school I go to can use photoshop (although I am better than most) so I can't find much of a market their. I think I will try to find bands from some of the other local high schools.


By the way that logo is cool. Did you use paths for the text?
 
I agree that you should do a lot of free sample projects first. A good start is your own portfolio webpage.
 
For that text, first find a good background image. Drag it into your photoshop document. Make sure it is bigger than the text you are trying to make.

Now using the text tool, type the text you want
then:
click on the text layer > rasterize layer (now you can't edit the text, it is an image)

then:
Select> load selection. Now you have the outline of that text selected.

Now turn off your text layer (click the eyeball on the layers panel)
Now you should have the empty text selection over your background image.
hit control X or edit > cut

Now make a new layer and past your text, which is now filled with your background image.

Now you can delete your other layers (the original text and the background) and use that text on whatever you are doing.

Hope that makes sense.

Amra
 
amra said:
For that text, first find a good background image. Drag it into your photoshop document. Make sure it is bigger than the text you are trying to make.

Now using the text tool, type the text you want
then:
click on the text layer > rasterize layer (now you can't edit the text, it is an image)

then:
Select> load selection. Now you have the outline of that text selected.

Now turn off your text layer (click the eyeball on the layers panel)
Now you should have the empty text selection over your background image.
hit control X or edit > cut

Now make a new layer and past your text, which is now filled with your background image.

Now you can delete your other layers (the original text and the background) and use that text on whatever you are doing.

Hope that makes sense.

Amra
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yeah that does make sense. Now that I think about it I have done that with text before. I have also done a similar thing with paths.
 
I am a media developer by trade and what you need to do is hit up every tutorial you can find- there are a million online and also you should learn Illustrator. If you have time, learn Quark, too.

Study the following:
1. Typography
2. Layout basics (how to balance your work)
3. Prepress (what you need to do to get something ready for print)
5. Color theory
6. Design trends. If there is something in a brochure or on a website that is getting popular, learn how to do it immediately.

Just sit down once a day for an hour and do a tutorial.

THEN, offer your services for free for doing things like posters, press kits and CD covers. Build your portfolio. You're 17, you have plenty of time. If you work hard, by the time you hit college you should be able to start charging good money for your work.

Feel free to drop me a line if you need any more help or guidance.
 
SawkenDotCom said:
I am a media developer by trade and what you need to do is hit up every tutorial you can find- there are a million online and also you should learn Illustrator. If you have time, learn Quark, too.

Study the following:
1. Typography
2. Layout basics (how to balance your work)
3. Prepress (what you need to do to get something ready for print)
5. Color theory
6. Design trends. If there is something in a brochure or on a website that is getting popular, learn how to do it immediately.

Just sit down once a day for an hour and do a tutorial.

THEN, offer your services for free for doing things like posters, press kits and CD covers. Build your portfolio. You're 17, you have plenty of time. If you work hard, by the time you hit college you should be able to start charging good money for your work.

Feel free to drop me a line if you need any more help or guidance.
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Ok thanks. I do know some illistrator. I am not familiar with Quark though. I may contact you if I have some specific questions. Thanks again to everybody.
 
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