2. Rihanna’s ‘Loud’ album is set in the Dance-Pop/ R&B genre. The
album was released on the 12th of November, 2010. The album was
released in 4 separate editions; a Digi-Pak, standard edition,
packaged and deluxe edition.
The theme of the Digi- Pak
consists of roses. The CD is
decorated with a huge Peach
coloured rose, while the inside of
the Digi- Pak shows an image of
Rihanna laying on a bed of red
roses. The theme of the Digi –pack
can be seen as a huge contrast to
the album title ‘ Loud’ as roses
and the light floral colour peach,
present a theme of love, and sets
a calming tone to the image.
However the theme can be linked
to the songs on the album such as
‘ California king bed, and only girl
in the world ‘ reflects the gentle
imagery the theme gives and also
the sentimental element of the
roses.
The main colours of the
Digi Pakis red with a nude
pallet undertone ( peach
rose and Rihanna's brown
skin tone). The bold red
colour is not only visible
from the flowers but also
her red lipstick. This can
reflect through her album
title ‘ Loud’ and her songs
‘ S&M, Raining men and
what's my name’ as they
are all vibrant, catchy and
seductive songs much like
the colour red.Looking at the style and layout of the Digi Pak we can see that the album’s main focus is on the artist,
Rihanna. The cover of the Digi Pak is a close up image of Rihanna , while the inside of the Digi Pak is a
stretched image of her laying in a bed of roses. By having such as focused image of Rihanna can be seen
as a way to translate to the audience that the songs on the album are a personal insight into the
lifestyle, mentality and personality of Rihanna. This can also be seen as conforming to the conventions
of being an artist from this certain R&B/ Pop, who tend to be more narcissistic with their image, and
try to brand themselves not only as artists but fashion icons.
3. ‘Communion’ is a synth-pop/ house/ electronica studio album, by
group Years & Years. The album was released on the 10th July 2015.
the album debuted at Number 1 on the ‘UK Top 40’.
The album design has a
geometric theme. The lines
form the letter ‘Y’, symbolising
the bands name. the geometric
theme can also be seen as a
refection of the songs genre on
the album, as they are quite
electronic. This relates back to
the how the music is made
digitally, through computerised
instruments (synthesizers) and
sample beats, so the album
cover has that future- like
effect.
The colour scheme of the Digi- Pak is
multi-coloured. This can be a
representation of where the album’s
genre, Electronica and House, are
mostly promoted. Which are in clubs
and house parties, which normally
have bright colourful lights and
settings. Also on the album songs such
as ‘ desire’ and ‘ shine’ use filters that
change multi-coloured, correlating
back to the multi-coloured theme
design of the Digi-Pak.
The font design follows a 3D/Pencil Sketch theme. The typography is bold and white, making the text stand out
from the Digi-Pak theme colour which is multi coloured. Although the typography subverts from its colourful
theme, it fits into the futuristic theme, as they are 3D letters that seem almost touchable off the cover. The white
colour also fits the theme as it allows the text to be visible and not blend in with the geometric theme. This could
be the way of promoting the band but from a less narcissistic view point. As instead of having their image plastered
across the front and the inside of the Digi- pack, there group name stands out in bold, white font. This can also be
seen as a deliberate act by the group to follow the trend within this particular genre, where artists prefer to
display the music more than themselves.
4. By looking at both Digi- Pak’s , you are to tell easily that the
two albums are from different genres. This has influenced the
idea that for our my own Digi- Pak, that presentation is
important, and allows the immediate genre identification and
reflects the sound of the music on the album. So as our duo is
more of a House/ EDM band and majority of their songs will
fit into those genres, Years & Years Digi- Pak cover design
would be a better influence on how we create our Digi-Pak, to
go for a simple yet bold theme, rather than Rihanna's artists
focused image.
By looking at both Digi- Pak's, I like the idea of having an image
of the artist however also having a drawn theme to digital style
to the Digi-Pak. This has influenced the idea that for my own
Digi-Pak I could create a theme colour ranging from the colour
purple as the band is called ‘ Ultra Violet’, and create that as
the inside of the Digi Pak, also adding the effect of something
illuminating, adding to that club/ house party idea. As well as
having an image of the duo, but not in such a way where it’s a
main focus, and having the purple theme come across in the
image as well, possibly adding a purple filter to their image.
