The objective of the assignment was to create a CD case for a band based on one of their songs. The imagery for the CD should be present on the case.

I eventually decided to go with Y’all Don’t Wanna Step to Dis by Against Me! as my song for the album
because of the imagery that popped into my head as I listened to it. Tom Gable was able to write
strong words in general terms. The song was actually written in 2000, three years before the Iraq war.
However, I felt that the relationship between the song, what happened, what is happening, and what
Against Me! went on to address in later years, was so strong that it fit well with their image as a band.

I based the majority of my concept on the line in the song that refers to politicians as monsters. That
was my starting point. I also felt that the song touched on the idea that many Americans just listen
to what they’re being told by the media and government without really knowing the truth. Therefore,
I decided to explore different ways of mixing a light-hearted sarcasm with subtle severity. I finally
decided to use a photo-collage technique in order to manipulate images of George Bush, but still keep
him recognizable. This enabled me to incorporate serious imagery - such as that of Abu Ghraib,
a little Iraqi boy with blood on his face, and the bomb going off (in the poster) - subtly into the
background.

Although the final design is based on a generic digipak template, I was able to create a stencil to provoke further involvement by the listener, and also instill a greater sense of importance to an issue that the band
wants to shed light on. The way that the liner notes interact with their holder is also a unique aspect
to the overall design. By working with a limited color pallete and utilizing a photo-collage technique,
I feel that the CD has a cohesive and recognizable feel to it - a feel that relates well to the punk-rock
roots of the band.