A analysis of the digipack for the hit sigh no more album

1. SIGH NO MORE
ANALYSIS
BY JOSEPH SHEPHERD

2. FRONT COVER
• The use of color causes the reading path to begin with the white building as it contrasts
from the two darker ones surrounding it. This framing immediately draws the
consumer’s attention to the middle building where they next notice the band in the
shop window.
• Furthermore, the color scheme used is very simplistic and pale. This is consistent
throughout the digipak giving it a professional aesthetic. This is also fitting to the indie
genre as bold colors are rarely seen. The typography used is the same as their previous
and later albums, this means it is associated with the band an easily recognizable to
their fans creating a house style.
• The serif font connotes a vintage style which reflects the indie folk genre and the block
capitals make it very clear to read and bold. Dyers paradox of being simultaneously
present and absent can be applied here as the band are stood together and can be
clearly seen by the consumer. However, the 4th wall remains intact and they are also
positioned behind a window causing them to appear absent also.
• The rule of thirds has been followed here as all the aspects which attention is drawn to
are positioned in the center third making it very clear. The mise-en-scene highlights the
genre, for example, the vintage fashion connotes the indie genre so the consumer is
given an insight to their genre prior to listening to the album. There is iconography of
the indie genre, for example the instruments the band are holding. These are typical of
the genre, such as the banjo, again helping to construct their metanarrative.

3. BACK PANE
• The composition of this picture fits well with the indie
style which has been maintained throughout as it is
slightly tilted and cuts off at the top. The color is again
very understated creating a sense of continuity
throughout the digipak.
• There is a barcode on the back which is vital to any CD.
This is also the case for the record label and copyright
information. However, this takes a very small section of
the digipak so it does not draw much attention and the
consumer does not think to focus on it.
• The layout of the track listing is unconventional of most
CD’s. Here they are listed one after the other without
being in a format of one above the other as a list with a
track number. The first song listed is the same as the
album’s title which gives it prevalence over the other
songs and it is likely this is the most important track to
the band.

4. ADVERT
• The reading path starts with the 4 images of the band members as the
brighter colors of these contrasts to the black background of the rest
of the advert. Initially you are drawn to the top left photo as there is
use of extra diegetic gaze to break the 4th wall and cause the band to
appear present.
• This is a form of hard selling as the consumer likes the fact they have
been able to have some insight into the bands metanarrative.
However, Dyer’s paradox can still be applied as two of the members
have not conformed to first person mode of address creating an
absence of adress also. You are drawn to the title second in the
reading path as the white font contrasts to the background and it is
positioned on the top of the page.
• The typography is the same as that used on the album itself which
creates a coherent link between the two and makes it more
recognizable to a consumer.
• There is a quote included from a popular music magazine, NME, which
can make people more likely to purchase the album as this is a trusted
opinion. Well known and popular singles from the album have been
listed at the bottom. This means if the audience have heard these
previously and liked them they may purchase the full album.