How I created my DVD cover using Photoshop.

Sarah Noble

The first step is to open the DVD template which I have created on Photoshop elements 10 which is the latest edition of Photoshop available to download. The DVD template is shown above the layers are located on the right on the screen grab in the right bottom hand corner. I have found that using a template to make sure everything is in the correct place to have a successful DVD cover, with the template the can be hidden by hiding the layer which the template is on.

I then needed to decide on a background to use for the background of the DVD cover, as this is a DVD which is for Mona the Vampire which has a target audience of children aged 8 to 13 the DVD cover need to stand out on the shelf and be able to draw in this target audience. To open a photo you need to open a new layer and then click file and Open then chose the photo or image that you want to use and then click open.

This photo shown above is the photo which is going to be used on the background for my DVD cover, as there is a logo on the photo I will have to edit this out by using photoshop.

After opening the photo which you want to edit in Photoshop you need to duplicate the photo layer so this photo can be edited, you also need to make sure that the photo is unlocked before you start editing as the area that you are editing will not Appear on the image. You also need to make sure the layer that you are editing is at the top of the layers tool bar located on the right of the screen grab above.

As I am going to edit out the logo and lines of the photo shown above, this can be done by covering the logo in a similar colour in this case I am going to use the colour black. You firstly select the paint brush tool located on the left hand tool bar and then chosen which colour you want by clicking the two small black and white coloured boxes at the bottom of the left hand tool bar. This will then cover the white istockphone logo shown above were one of the lines as already been edited out.

I have then continued to edit the logo out of the photo shown above, with the paintbrush tool. I have done this by making the colour of the paint brush black to match the rest of the background of the photo shown above on the screen grab.

The photo above in the centre of the screen grab is the fully edited photo which is going to be used as the background for the DVD cover. This photo does then need to be copied onto the DVD template. This is done by clicking select, then select all which will highlight the whole photo. You then need to click ctrl and c at the same time to then copy the photo to the DVD template.

To get the to appear on the DVD template you need to click edit and then paste to get The photo to appear on the background of this DVD cover. You also need to make sure that a new layer is opened every time you add a new item to the DVD cover, so it is easy to edit each of the items which are going to be on the DVD cover such as the background.

To make the photo fit the background, you need drag the photo and then right click, to Then be able to click free transport. This is so that the photo can be moved freely and will not blurb. As shown above the photo and be stretch to fit the area that is needed to be covered.

Above shows the completed background for the Mona the Vampire DVD cover, was the photo has been edited to fit the DVD template background.

The next stage of making the DVD cover is too choose a photo to use to be the main feature of the DVD cover, to draw the attention of the audience. I have chosen one of the photos that I have used for the sand animation that I have created for the Mona the Vampire title sequence using the sand animation technique.

The next stage is to edit the photo which is going to be used on the back of the DVD cover I have done this by zooming in on the area of the photo which I want to start editing and Then used the paintbrush tool located on the left of the screen grab on the far left side of the tool bar. I have chosen to used white to make the cat outline glow and so this photo will then stand out on against the black background, of the DVD background.

This screen grab above then shows a zoomed out version of how the editing of the has changed the photo above. With also how much more effective the image now looks then before.

The image above is the finished that I have edited which is now going to be copied on tothe DVD background.

The next stage is to then make the layer that has the background on to show up on the DVD template. This is done by clicking the small left box which is next to the layer where the image is that you want to appear on the page, for example the layer that you would want to appear in this case will be layer 2.

After making uncovering the layer with the background on the next stage is to move theimage by using the move tool in the top left hand corner of the left hand tool bar, and then to click the green tick when you are done.

The image that you have moved will then appear as part of the background as shown above on the screen grab. I have chosen to put the cat in the top right hand corner so youcan then still see the detail of the background, on the DVD cover.

The next stage which I carried out was to add text in a new layer on top of the cat, this was done to fill the image, and to then provide the audience with information about the DVD. As the target audience is 8 to 13 year olds there is not much text or information to keep the audience as interested as possible.

I have then moved each line of the text so it fits into the cat perfectly, with just gives a basic description of what the first series is about. The dark orange colour has been used as thisis the same colour that have been used in the detail of the background.

I have then selected another image from my sand animation that I have created for my Mona the Vampire title sequence to use on the front cover of the DVD. This is a basic swirl shown above which I have taken the black background off by using the erase tool, which is the pink sponge.

You then need select all the swirl photo and copy the photo onto the DVD background, by clicking editing and then paste. This then means that you can move the swirl photo as shownabove on the screen grab.

After making the swirl photo fit the size of the page that you want editing of this image can then take place. The swirl has been used as it is plain and simple and will draw the audience in. As the detail of the DVD is already very full this means that a simple and plainfront cover would be the most effective option.

I have then made the swirl stand out by using the paint brush tool and selecting the colour white to make the swirl glow and stand out on the front cover of the DVD cover.

The next stage is to insert text on the DVD cover, you need to make sure you open a new layer and then click the T which means a text box will then appear. Along the top of the page you can then chose the font, colour and size, I have chosen the same dark orange colour which has been used for the text on the back of the DVD cover, which is also the same colour used on the detail f the back of the DVD cover.

As I have used a swirl shape on the font of the DVD I then need to make the Moan theVampire text curve. I have done this make selecting the text and then next to the colour options to then click movement and arch text. This then means the text can be arched and moved to fit round the shape that you want.

As most DVDs have boarders I have decided to edit the photo that I have used in the background to use the as detail around the DVD cover. This will then draw your attention to the main images of the DVD cover.

The screen grab above shows the development of inserting the boarder onto the DVDCover shown above.

The boarder also makes the DVD cover look more complete and full, then without a boarder. As the boarder also reflects the DVD cover this also ties in well, with the theme of the DVD.

The screen grab above shows a photo that has had the chosen boarder inserted I have also decided to include this boarder on the spine of the DVD cover as this will also drawThe target audience attention to the DVD when it is on the shelf of a supermarket.

I have then started to complete my DVD cover my inserting text across the top of the template this includes information about the DVD such as that this is ‘The completefirst series.’ The title of ‘Mona the Vampire’ is also included on the back of the DVD cover also, as well as ‘Mona.’ Across the spine The colour white which is used reflects The main photos used on both the front and the back of the DVD cover.

The next step is to add in the final symbols such as the U certification, a DVD logo and the box of information which has been added on to the back of the DVD cover.

I have then also added on a quota from the CBBC to give a positive view for the DVD.

Final DVD cover