Successfully navigating the CD design process, while also creating a strong foundation for much broader campaign development, including online promotions, merchandising, large scale printing, magazine and street press advertising, and potentially broadcast, is indeed a tall order..... Artstate Design is well positioned to guide you through this process, providing the broadest possible experience, backed by 20 years of first hand music industry knowledge.

To the right are a selection of CD covers that represent a small portion of the designs that have been created for both commercial and independent bands and artists, including Diesel, The Whitlams, Dragon, iOTA, Magic Dirt, Richard Clapton, EJ Barnes, Jaywalker, Abi Tucker, PreShrunk and Janet Seidel to name a few.

How much does it cost?

Format and Scale: a 4 page jewel case with back tray and disc art is the standard, but there is also a 2 page format, with or without back tray artwork, plus J-Card (slimline or single), Digipak and even a simple cardboard sleeve. View all package formats.

Style or Complexity: I normally ask that you provide a few references which allow me to ascertain the general direction for the design. These references may be web links, or samples that you post to me direct - based upon musical genre, they will usually identify specific features such as colour, typography and layout.... you do not need to know all that stuff, you just need to like it!

Source content: knowing where the original content will come from plays a huge part in the cost of the design process. Having great photography provides a tremendous head start, but source content may also be hand generated imagery such as illustration or painting, or perhaps even hand written text. If you are going to commit to a photo shoot, or perhaps you are about to commission some other work for this purpose, please call me first, simply because there are a few issues to consider... CD design is a balance between art and information - therefore the imagery used on specific panels will often be determined by "negative" or empty space. Shooting band or artist photographs with this criteria in mind is rare - directing a photographer or illustrator to provide the right mix of imagery will often make the design process much easier.

What does the CD design process involve?

We start with "sketch" ideas, based upon our discussions and the source content provided. I will provide you with simple email drafts within the first day or so, and if the general direction is OK, then I will advance to the other pages of the package. Toward the end of the design process, we revisit the front cover and incorporate other elements that have arisen along the way, with the goal to create a package with a strong visual thread, and unique identity for that artist/campaign. I then arrange a set of print proofs that will allow you to see a close approximation of the final product - these will be your last chance to make amendments, after which I will send the final files to the manufacturer.

How long does it take?

7 days would be a minimum, but there are sometimes other factors that will determine the time frame, such as waiting for extra source content, or working with management who may need to proof it to other people in the organisation.

I find that most designs do not require any face to face meeting - good communication on the phone and by email will usually be enough to get a great result.

What other factors do I need to account for?

It is important to be thorough with the text information you provide - rearranging pages with extra content can prove time consuming. Beyond the usual production credits, song list, contacts and thankyous, other elements to be mindful of include catalogue number (can be generated by yourself if you don't have distribution), barcode (provided by distributor), song durations and other affiliated logos.

There are now options for printing smaller quantities of CD's, anywhere from 50 to 500 copies. This can prove very handy if you are unsure about future representation - a smaller quantity provides an opportunity to re-press the CD's if necessary - we can recommend particular manufacturers depending on what quantity or style of package you need.

What happens after the CD is finished?

Normally there is a vaste array of applications to tend to after the cd has been pressed and released. We have had experience with every facet of advertising, and in the music industry, that can be very broad indeed! Be sure to let us know where you may need to go with your new visual identity and we can pass on a few tips and tricks.

One the main focal points is a functional and sustainable website. A well designed website can be a portal to a range of orbiting services that assist the artist to take control of their own destiny and generate a strong network at very little expense, especially if used in conjunction with a simple Content Management System.

These additional services include MySpace, YouTube, Flickr and perhaps an EPK (electronic press kit) to help streamline for approach to agents for gigs.

For web design samples, please visit;

www.nio.net.au/webdesign

We focus on quick loading, sustainable websites that can be easily expanded or adapted with each campaign - be sure that when you choose your web designer, that you have every opportunity to take direct control of the content.