2. WHAT IS A DIGIPAK?
In the early 200s, Digipak style cases became popular amongst
record labels and recording artists.
Digipak’s are used by record labels to promote the sales of the
artist, in the same way the video does. Its features give the
audience a multiple reasons to buy the CD rather than just
downloading content off iTunes.
3. CONVENTIONS OF A
DIGIPAK
A Digipak is usually created as a 4 or 6 plate folded piece of
card with a CD case in the middle.
It includes:
A DVD
Lyric Book
Artist Photo
List of Songs
5. BEYONCE- 4
Lettering/Font Styles
and Sizes:
The typography used on the
front of the album cover is
simplistic and in upper case
letters. This suggests
empowerment and being bold,
which is also what come across
by her pose. It is in black bold
writing to stand out against the
light green background.
The album title ‘4’ ties in with the
fact it is her fourth solo studio
album.
Main Image:
In the Centre of the cover Beyoncé
is looking upwards with her arm
raised above her head. This
indicates she is seen as confident,
which is a common convention
used by R&B artists. The
photographer has used a low angle
shot which illustrates a sense of
empowerment. Beyoncé is wearing
gold cuffs and a shawl which
emphasizes on her concept of
coming across as confident. As
she is not wearing anything
underneath this suggests that she
is wealthy women and not giving
off the provocative ‘slutty’ image.
The background gives more
emphasis on what Beyoncé is
wearing and give more attention to
the artist.
Representation & Audience:
The main representation in this cover is
epitomized as coming across a strong
independent woman who is powerful and
dominant. This goes against the
contemporary dominant representation of
women and adheres to the concept adapting
through contemporary times of women being
able to be independent and successful which
is seen in the media through single successful
mothers and female business women for
example.
I would therefore believe that this album
would appeal to a female audience who like
R&B music and pop, and a fan of Beyoncé's
recent hits.
The back cover features another
photograph of the back of Beyoncé. It is
taken at a long shot angle. It shows
connotations of new beginnings as she is
now in control of her own career. The image
sticks to the colour scheme. This could also
be targeted at a male audience as it shows
a more sexual image of her legs.
The text of the front cover has not changed it is
still formal and in a bold typeface. There is a
smaller type face of the other featured tracks on
the Album. It is easier to see since it is placed
against a plain background of the wall.
The back cover also
includes small images
of the record labels,
name of executive
producers and copyright
information. This is
used to show those
involved in the creation
of the album.
It also includes a bar
code which is scanned
through when
purchasing the album.
It also lists the record
labels website and
Beyoncé's.
The initial of the Artist is used on the
CD. It is Big and bold which stands out
from the Red background. The ‘B’ is
written in a quirky typeface. The colour
scheme black and red could represent
love and darkness.
6. LANA DEL REY-BORN TO DIE
Main Image:
The main image shows
a medium close up of
Lana’s Face and outfit.
This is a common
feature in the indie
genre. The simplicity of
the design allows us as
the audience to focus
on Lana’s Vintage
style, seen within her
outfit, her bold red lips
and wavy hair. This
creates a visual style
which is in high
demand with the
record label. Lana is
looking straight into the
camera, looking
emotionless and
almost serene. The
background is of a
scene outside, which is
typically used in the
indie genre, it displays
her as exploring the
world and encounter
on experiences for her
to write songs.
Lettering/font styles and
sizes:
A simple styled font has been used for
the artist title. This style is commonly
used within all of Lana's albums. The
colours red white and blue could
represent the country America, where
she is from. The simplicity of the font
suggests the simplicity of Lana’s
music.
On the back cover of the Album, it displays
the track list. The same simple font has
been, used in white block letters. Again the
simplicity of the font connotes a simple
style of music. The barcode, record label
and copyright issues can be seen at the
bottom. The colour scheme of the letters
has changed, this time white and black
have been used to highlight some of the
songs. The black connotes songs that
could have a deep and meaningful
message behind them or they could be
extra tracks added. I think that they have
kept the back of the album simple as it
allows the audience to focus on the songs
listed.
The simple white colour of the
CD, compliments the theme
used throughout. The roses
could connote the idea of love
which is a common theme used
within the songs. It could
symbolize the innocent love the
artist has encountered on.
Again we do not see the artist
herself or any big bold letters of
the albums name.
Front Cover CD Back Cover CD
Insert
CD
The inside of the Digipak has the same
style of image of the artist seen on the front.
The mid shot close up draws us to her body
language. It shows her looking into the
camera with the same serious stern look.
Again she is showing us that she takes her
music seriously. By applying this image to
the two windows in the insert it shows us
How important Lana is important as an
artist and how she should be recognized for
her image as well as her music. The colour
scheme is set the same with soft tones. The
target audience could be either male or
female as a very neutral house style has
been used.
Lyric Insert
Inside the Digipak it contains a fold out
which displays the lyrics of each track.
A typewriter font has been used in
black which gives off a vintage style.
Again they have kept it a simple house
style. Blood splatters have been used,
on the page, this could symbolize the
artists betrayal and how her love has
been destroyed. Displaying the lyrics
help the audience understand the
meaning and words of the song they
are listening to.
8. MAIN IMAGE.
Close up of the artist.
Staring straight
ahead to the
audience. Looks like
the artist is kneeling
down on the floor
with arms placed
under the chin,
showing off her arm
bracelets which are
also black and gold.
Title of album
‘CASSIE’ written in block
case letters. Gold and white
to fit the house style. Visibly
noticeable.
Song title not featured on
the album.
No barcode or record label
advertised.
Back of album. Track list going across the top of the
frame. Written in simple brown letters. Same image
used on the front but this time Cassie is photographed
from a long mid shot. Record label and copyright
information is included as well as a barcode.
CD. Same colour scheme used.
Simple colours of brown and black.
Name of artist in block bold capital
letters.
9. Name of
album. Written
in simple thin
capital letters.
Name
of artist
Main image-
looking
towards the
camera.
Serious
facial
expression.
Same colour
scheme used
of black, pink
and cream.
No barcode
or record
label
advertised.
Promotional
pictures [click to
play]
10. Name of
Artist
Name of
album title.
Written in gold
letters.
Main Image.
Artist looking straight ahead,
face pointing upwards with
gun towards her mouth.
Conations of danger and
empowerment of females.
Colour scheme is mainly black and
gold. These colours such as the
black suggest danger and the gold
symbolizes wealth and rich as the
jewelry and gun are used to highlight
this.
Back of album. Same house style used.
Easy to indicate the artists and the name of
song between the contrast of gold.
Name of record label and producers shown at
the bottom.
Parental
Advisory icon
used to indicate
there is explicit
words used.
11. ANALYSIS OF
CASSIE’S CD COVERS.
All use close up image of the artist looking towards the
camera
Simple colours used
Includes the name of the artist and single/album name
not include any icons such as barcodes
