Shattered Dreams DVD Cover Art - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/22/2006 09:44:45 PM · #1

I'm not sure how many of you have heard of Shattered Dreams, but in case you're not familiar with the program, it's a drunk-driving prevention program targeting high school students, especially during the spring/prom season. There is a mock fatality crash near the school, to which all students are released from class to go see, complete with ambulances, care flight, etc...and a trip to the trauma room for some of the "victims," where at least one is pronounced dead. The parents are notified, and everything is handled as if it were real. There are funerals for the deceased, and the drunk driver is booked and goes to jail. The whole program takes a few days to complete. The trial is the culmination of the event, with the defendent being found guilty of DWI and vehicular manslaughter. It's very emotional for all involved, and I think it makes a great impact on the students and their families. If one kid chooses not to drink and drive, it's worth it.

Anyway, I say all that to bring you to this. My fiancÃ© directed both the documentary and presentation videos for the program in our hometown this year, and they are being duplicated on DVD for community members to buy in support of our local drug prevention organizations. Because he was so closely involved with the project, they asked me if I could design the cover art for the jewel cases the DVD will be sold in. Tonight we sat down and came up with these two, and I wondered if you could give me some feedback on them. I've never designed anything like this before and I'm excited about the opportunity of at least one picture of mine being used in such a positive program.

Here they are, and any guidance or assistance is appreciated. :)

Message edited by author 2006-04-22 21:47:08.

Baron152

Canon EOS-40D

04/22/2006 10:03:24 PM · #2

I love the first one. It is very powerful and conveys the message perfectly. IMHO

GIS_boy

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Canon

04/22/2006 10:06:34 PM · #3

I agree with The Baron, number 1 is far more powerful.

BTW, great work!

pmichaud

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/22/2006 10:06:40 PM · #4

Laurie, I like both of them. At first glance, I thought I liked the first one better because of the duotone and the sadness expressed by the monument; however, I keep going back to the second one. I think it's because of the wording on the monument and the contrast of the cool colors of the monument and the beautiful warm colors in the background.

I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

Good work!!!

pidge

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

04/22/2006 10:08:20 PM · #5

I agree. I really like the first one.

My only problem with it is that the shattered dreams logo doesn't seem to be part of the concept. It's like there is the picture, and then the shattered dreams. Is there a way to make it seem a bit more cohesive? I don't know, maybe a gradient on the bottom half of the picture and then the shattered dreams logo on top?

This sounds like a wonderful program. Good luck, and congratulations on having one of your pictuires used!

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/22/2006 10:11:05 PM · #6

First one, and it's a very professional, first-rate job you've done with it!

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

04/22/2006 10:11:26 PM · #7

Originally posted by pidge:

My only problem with it is that the shattered dreams logo doesn't seem to be part of the concept.

Believe me, I have that same issue with the whole thing...but the problem is that the logo is one that I have to use. It's the logo that was on all the t-shirts and literature and anything else...it came from the state Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, who sponsors the event. I wish I could change it but it's set in concrete, so to speak. I might try a gradient behind it but unfortunately I can't change the color or the look of the logo itself.

Thanks for the feedback so far...I appreciate your thoughts and ideas so much! :)

Mulder

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

04/22/2006 10:23:15 PM · #8

Just my initial thought on #1 was that the font didn't seem to fit too well with the color or overall feel of the picture. Maybe too bold or shiny? But the second one seems to blend better...

eschelar

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

04/22/2006 10:26:43 PM · #9

I too like the first one. Not everyone believes in angels or people going to heaven, but regardless, the message in the imagery is undeniable regardless of beliefs.

I'm a big fan of your program. I think it's fantastic. Too few people understand the impact of having the responsibility/privelege of driving a car.

To give it a highly realistic treatment like this is likely difficult with the highly critical high school crowd, but if pulled off right, could well suspend disbelief in a powerful way. Seing it in live action is likely much more powerful than any little educational video. Having it span several days might give it the weight to allow the message to stay with them for a much longer time.

Nice.

The logo is distracting, but I wouldn't worry about it. Your picture works perfectly with it.

If this DVD were on a shelf, the logo would help grab people's eyes and draw them in. Once they were drawn in, they would look at your picture.

The Logo grabs, the picture holds and adds credibility and professionalism.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/23/2006 09:28:57 AM · #10

Thanks again for your help...after some suggestions from here and from another site, I tweaked a few things and came up with this. Is it any better, worse, or indifferent? I have until 1pm to get this finalized. Eek. :)

biggis

Canon EOS-5D

04/23/2006 09:48:13 AM · #11

nummber 1

obsidian

Nikon D80

Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Nikon

04/23/2006 10:31:46 AM · #12

Originally posted by laurielblack:

This is superb!

eschelar

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

04/23/2006 11:10:10 AM · #13

Changing the BG to black is a great move. It has a little less grab at 20 feet away than the white BG, but I don't think this video is going to be sitting on a shelf in a video store... Using black complements the picture much better. I think the screens they use in hospitals are usually black with green anyhow. Black with red is a closer relation.

The thickness of the white outline is suitable, but in the JPG, I notice a fair bit of dithering on the logo. I would make sure that gets all taken care of before submitting, unless of course they will work on it as well through the printery and yours is just a preliminary...

I think they will be more than impressed.

Incidentally, the image itself stuck with me all day and I kept coming back to this in my brain's spare moments. It's very good.

Message edited by author 2006-04-23 11:10:49.

pmichaud

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/23/2006 11:17:48 AM · #14

The first one with the background changed to black is very powerful.

jgm5015

Canon PowerShot A620

04/23/2006 11:18:58 AM · #15

The edited version is definitely much better; my only grip with the original was the pixelated logo but you seem to have taken care of that.

As a design-class student, I would only say that you may want to consider working with the text over the picture. There's a certain concept about figures (in your case, the letters) and the ground (for you, the picture) and how the two should play off of one another, and in some cases, how it should be a challenge to distinguish the two. In your case, you wouldn't want the latter because you need to convey information, but right now it looks too much like the letters were just slapped on top of the photo. I'd consider getting rid of the drop-shadow and either using a bolder text or bolding the current one.

danthesquidkid

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 II

04/23/2006 11:37:01 AM · #16

the seocnd one was way better. the fonts on the first contrast way to much and it almost seems, sorta cheesy. but the second one is perfect. it looks 1000% professional and movving.

(also, the firs tjust looks like a gargoyle. the second is where you can see the tombstone)

04/23/2006 03:54:00 PM · #17

Thanks...they have all the images now and are deciding which one they like...from what I hear they are leaning toward the last one with the black background. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for all the help! :)

SJCarter