Digipak analysis of Rihanna and Beyonce for A2 Media Coursework

1. Digipak research
I am going to analyze a few albums of similar artists and the artist I
will be using for my Music Video. As a group we have chosen
Rihanna's ‘Stay’ and chosen to analyze a few of her albums, we will
them gather our feedback and see if there are any similarities.
I will be doing this to help find and gain ideas for our own Digipak
and create connections with the audience.

2. Digipak Analysis
I will start off with analyzing Rihanns's Album 'Loud.'

3. Front cover
For the front cover Rihanna has used a close up to catch
the attention of the audience. The contrast between her
skin tone and her hair and lips create a flawless eye
catching effect. The red lips, red blushed cheeks and
bright red hair are all ways of catching the male gaze as
well as the attention of others. The close up of the artist
follows the theory of Goodwin's theory as the audience
likes to receive close ups to create a bond and find
features that attract them to the artist. Again the red hair,
cheeks and lips are shown for people to stop and look
also connoting a hint of seductiveness.

4. CD & Cover
The CD cover follows a floral theme showing Rihanna leaning in
front of a rose bush, here we see the clear difference between
the front cover and the CD cover as this shows a different side of
the artist. The floral colour with a light washed over colour gives
a lost and innocent look as well as showing beauty. The CD itself
has a white wash with slight hints of a light red,it is shaped in a
rose again showing innocence with beauty. I like this as it does
not only show Rihanna as a seductive mature lady, but a young
woman who is still searching for answers showing an innocent
and gentle side.

5. Back Cover
The back cover of Rihanna's Digipak links with the front cover as
well as the CD cover, for the back cover the light pink wash over
theme has been used again to help the red and white contrast
and stand out. The back cover shows the meaning of each sing
Rihanna sings and what meaning they have for her not only this
but who she has written each song for.
Rihanna shows a seductive side as she is dressed in lingerie
again showing her outer attractiveness catching the male gaze.
But the white colour shows innocence as well as purity this could
be as it could have a link with her songs and the meaning of
each one. The other side shows the track list and the name of
each song again giving the same feeling as she sits looking
lonely creating a connection with her audience.

6. Posters
Rihanna has included posters of herself in the Digipak for her
fans, the close up shows emotions through her gaze and creates
connections with the audience. This is useful as it can attract
people to buying her Digipak. I find this method effective as it
can help with promoting the artist as well as gain people
attention, I would like to add in a few posters in our Digipak as it
gives a more effective marketing effect.

7. Beyonce – I Am Sasha Fierce
Front Cover
Beyonce uses a different technique compared to Rihanna
instead of contrast between vibrant colours and colour washes
she uses a simple black and white contrast. For the front cover
she has used a a contrast of herself one showing a natural side
(Make-up-less) while the other shows a more bold and fake side.
This creates a relationship with the audience as they can
understand her feelings and what she is going through. The
album front cover gives a simple but strong impression using the
contrast of white (Pure/natural) and black ( Fake/unnatural) side.

8. Beyonce – I Am Sasha Fierce
Back Cover
The back cover of her album shows a more mature and
seductive side. The side of her she shows mostly on
TV and for music videos, entertainment side. Here we
see the white and black contrast repeated giving a
more appealing look for the male gaze. The black
clothes create a stand out effect and attract attention
to her body. I could use this as it can easily attract the
attention of people and give the album unique look.
Also the theory of 'the male gaze' has been used as
here Beyonce is shown as a object for males to gain
pleasure.

9. Beyonce – I Am Sasha Fierce
CD
The Album contains two CDs both the CD's contain the
same image, showing a natural side of Beyonce
connoting the album is about her life and giving a more
personal side of herself, this creates a connection with
the audience as Beyonce shows a image of herself
opening up to others. On the other hand the name of
her album shows can connote a more fierce and proud
side, she is showing her true self and letting everyone
see her natural side, giving a 'fierce' vibe.

10. Beyonce – I Am Sasha Fierce
CD Cover
The CD cover gives a more appealing side to Beyonce
again showing her more feminine and attractive side, the
contrast between her clothes and the background as well as
her skin and the background creates a stand out eye
catching effect as her features stand out. The far shot of her
sat down shown body language connoting defensive and
closed up side of her, as she has to put on an act to gain the
favour of people, closing her true self out. The contrast
between the gold writing and dark background gives the CD
cover a nice finishing touch I would like to use this for my
album cover as it stands out and creates a strong eye
catching effect.

11. Beyonce – I Am Sasha Fierce
Posters
The posters that come with the album contain
the same theme of black and white, the
posters follow the theory of Goodwin showing
close ups of the artist for the audience to get
better views of them and find the attraction of
the artist. I would like to use this as I find this
method effective as close ups of the artist
creates a connection with the audience.