This document analyzes the digipak for Mumford and Sons' album "Sigh No More".
The front cover uses an unconventional rule of thirds composition to portray the indie genre through the band's clothing and vintage shop window backdrop. The inside continues the black and white color scheme and font to maintain continuity. Individual portraits of each band member in a "window frame" emphasizes their uniqueness and importance to the group.
The back cover contrasts black text against a white background for legibility. It reuses iconography from the front like the window and colors. The song list placement is atypical but avoids a cramped layout. References to specific song titles like the album name "Sigh No More"
2. FRONT COVER
• The rule of thirds in this shot have been used in an unconventional way. It some ways
it breaks some of the codes and conventions of a typical digipak. Furthermore it tends
to be a demand that the audience want to see the musicians close up and this front
cover breaks this. However the reasoning behind this is because it's focusing on the
genre, which the indie genre is portrayed through the mise-en-scene. It does this by
using a small vintage looking shop window, style of clothing and colour. Their clothing
not only resembles the genre but also the personality of the artists. They are stating
their personal identity informing the audience, this allows them to target certain
individuals. Moreover there will be other groups who dress in this way, and will then
relate with them and be interested in the product. Although the layout is
unconventional, the substance of the image follow the generic codes of indie music. By
emphasising on a certain lifestyle this helps target the audience and fans. The use of
colours all tie in together with pale tones and browns suggest a natural original look, it
fits with indie stereotype of earthly colours. The use of natural lighting and that it has
been shot outside link with the interest and ideas that surround this genre, this all
represents indie folk. Its as if they are being portrayed as manikins, this is interesting
and could possibly connect to a narrative. It could link with the idea that they are
putting themselves forward to the world and selling their music. The band have
instruments at the window with them symbolising them and what they do and it
brings an element of importance. The font it slick and neat, opposed to being bold and
standing out. This adds to the whole front cover keeping the continuity with the genre.
However it does still follow some codes and conventions such as the band's name
being larger than other text, to make it stand out more and being most important.
3. INSIDE
• The style of the digipak follows through from the front cover to the inside. Black and white are the main
colours on the inside, this is effect having black against white. The contrast between the two highlights
the most important feature; the CD. The use of these colours are bright and fresh portraying the band
members modern and stylish. They have stuck with certain codes and conventions, this is good as it helps
the audience relate and to be able to decode what they are seeing. By having links throughout the
digipak forms a relationship and states exactly what it is through repetition. Furthermore the same font
has also been used on the inside as to the front. This represents the genre, and solidities the significance
of why each individual thing has been used. Using the same font contributes to this traditional look
creating a smart professional product. The middle panel is again used having the artists, this layout clearly
represents their importance by having them in the centre. Not just does this state their prominence, but
each artist has their own individual window. Representing how each artist is as important to one another
and how they have their own unique talent each to form their music. The layout is constructed with the
window as a frame around each musician which separates them, however at the same time in this one
image shows they are one. Shown as they are one, having their own personal pose symbolises they each
have their own important characteristics in the band.
4. BACK COVER
• Certain features have worked really well with the back cover, moreover
keeping the white for the background and having the text in black. Again
this creates a contrast between the two making the list of songs stand out.
The use of white space surrounds the house style also making it evident of
its importance. The iconography has been clearly represent throughout,
this carries on the back by using the same style (window, colour and font).
However the layout and design is slightly different to the typical digipak,
normally the barcode is in the bottom right. Yet here it is placed at the top,
this connotes the layout of the song names and copyright symbols are
more essential in the way they are laid out. Which makes it look smart and
not crammed. The first song on the album is actually the album title,
portraying a relationship between the album and the song. The fact it has
been used twice ‘Sigh No More’ emphasises there could be more meaning
to these words and perhaps a narrative behind them, this will intrigue the
audience. One other song name ‘White Blank Page’ has an obvious
connection as they has represented in the design of their album by having
white on every panel. The front, inside and now seen on the back all has
images of windows, which could also be a hint to the narrative. A fake
reflection of the sky consists of different tones of blue, the colour blue
could relate to the emotion of the album which could be sad. From this
research I found features which are really important in producing a
successful digipak: colour, theme, image, mise-en-scene, composition and
text.
