2. Overview
As mentioned in my previous digipak analysis, a digipak is a cardboard case around
plastic CD holders that fold outwards to reveal the CD’s. It’s a lot more exclusive than
a regular jewel CD case; they usually include extra material and information for fans.
Since we are using The Weeknd’s song for our music video, I decided to analyse his
digipak as it will give me insight to the style associated with his music. I believe it will
give me inspiration for the graphics (etc.) as well as an understanding about the
design. He released a digipak for his album ‘Trilogy’ in 2011 (before he properly hit
mainstream R&B but was still recognised on the underground scene).
3. FRO
NTThe Weeknd uses a theme of b&w
throughout all of his media; a sort of
trademark that he’s allowed to sway
from occasionally. I like that he’s used
a smaller image of him on a blank
background, it’s like we’re seeing a
snapshot of his life. He’s known for
having intimate-feeling personal songs
so I think the album artwork reflects
that. It’s simple but stunning,
especially due to the fact that the
image is beautifully shot, with the
woman slightly out of focus compared
to Abel. It also conveys the message
he sings about; there’s no one specific
girl. He uses them or they use him but
the woman in the image could be any
of them and none of them. She’s quite
literally faceless. I also like the white
border as it makes the image stand
out even more and acts as a
highlighter.
The artist’s name is in a bold white font; there’s nothing special about it but it
also doesn’t draw any interest away from the image. They complement each
other. The album title, ‘Trilogy’, is in a similar font, but in italics, which makes it
easy to distinguish them. One text is clearly the artist’s name and the other is
the title of the album.
The image is subtle at first glance but
powerful upon a second look. It
reflects the artist’s image where
simplicity is key to his success and
shows the topic of his music; it’s clear
from the woman that he is all about
love and relationships and girls.
The artist has to include a parental
advisory notice if there is any explicit
content (e.g., swearing or any bad or
offensive language) in the music.
The b&w colour scheme can also be
used to suggest edginess, which may
be used to attract a young adult target
audience. I like the three simple
diamonds below the image; it puts
forward the indication of classiness and
doesn’t take away from the simplicity of
the cover. It also gives off a mysterious
vibe; is it just for aesthetics or do three
diamonds mean something specifically
to Abel?
4. THE SPINE
It might not seem so at first, but the spine of the digipak is more
important than you would think. In many music stores CDs would be
stacked face-to-face, which means that the spine is often the first
thing the possible consumer would see. The first impression would
come from the spine design. The text is easy to read and is the same
as the band’s logo on the front, promoting his brand continuity. It
keeps the album cohesive. Sometimes both the artist’s name and
the album title is on the spine but it’s not a must.
Also featured is the record label’s logo and a serial number, both of
which are the most common things on the spine other than any
titles.
5. BA
CK
Same logos as the front and spine;
‘TheWeeknd’ and ‘Trilogy’ three times
more’.
Includes the dates between
which the three CDs were
recorded. Extra details like
these are crucial for fan of the
artist to feel like they’re
reaching out and disclosing
special information to them.
Same record label logo as
on the spine. Good for
promotion and to show
identity and brand.
Barcode: needed on all CDs
to scan for purchase.
Credits: address, website
and production company.
Rights notice; links with
copyright, although
there are usually more
explicit warnings.
Logo shows the plastic
parts can be recycled.
HTE is the company and
90 is the kind of plastic
& molecules.
It’s a distressed black
background, which adds
to the edgy vibe
surrounding the artist. I
also like the lines
separating each bit of
text; it gives it order
without making it look
overly neat.
6. INNER PANELS
There are three CDs included in the
digipak, with booklets to go with each
one. Each booklet has it’s own concept
and theme, inspired by the style of its
own respective CD. The booklets slot
into a compartment under each CD.
When the fan first opens the digipak they first see a
full track listing including all three CDs as well as a
clear layout including information about the album’s
credits. It’s interesting how the artists choose to
portray themselves within the way their digipak
opens and the layout of it. The Weeknd’s is very
simple and although the booklet design and
compartments are a little more elaborate, the basic
images and design tone it down.
7. ACTUA
L CD
The CD design is
similar to the front
cover; it’s
monochrome with
the same font and
diamonds. It’s
good that they all
have the same
style so that they
are easily
recognised and so
that it’s known
that all the
separate parts go
together.
There’s a barcode
also on the CD and
recycling logos.
There are credits around the
outside of the CD; address and
website etc.
It has the number of the
CD on it; this one is
number 3 (003).
Record label logos
etc.
