This document discusses conventions for album cover design. It explains that digipaks are a type of album packaging that uses a foldable paperboard cover with attached plastic trays to hold a CD or DVD. The main design elements discussed are genre, lettering/fonts, images, stars/icons, representation, audience, and color. Specific examples are provided of how these elements are used differently across genres like punk, hip hop, and pop music. Factors like the image subject, fonts, and use of color help represent the artist and genre while appealing to the intended audience.

1. Conventions
Of
Album
Covers
Emily Challinor

2. What is a digipak?
They typically consists of a
gatefold (book-style)
paperboard or card stock outer
binding, with one or more
plastic trays capable of holding
a CD or a DVD attached to the
inside.

3. Main Focus:
 Genre
 Lettering/ Font Style and Sizes
 Image
 Stars/ Icons
 Representation
 Audience

4. Cover Conventions
GENRE- As well as
considering the genre of LETTERING/ FONTS-
music that the CD belongs how does the lettering fit
to, you must also consider IMAGE- what picture is on
with the genre of music or
the generic conventions of the cover? Is it a design or
design? For instance, some
the CD itself, what goes on artwork? Is it a
punk bands have very
a typical CD cover? Also photograph of the artist?
basic handwritten type
think about the text and Think about MES (mise en
styles to fit with their
how people will see it on scene) to see how the
‘basic’ or anarchic image.
the shelf. scene is set. This also
includes
colours, props, lighting, m
ake-up and clothing.
STARS/ ICONS- is the
image of the artist one REPRESENTATION- look
you’d expect to see? For at how bands and artists AUDIENCE- who exactly
instance, a star like and the genre are will buy this CD? Be
Beyoncé always has an represented and how the specific. Why will someone
image constructed on a audience will react to that. buy a CD? Is it because
glamour shoot appeal and For example, hip-hop stars they went escapism and
whilst a punk band like have been criticised for pleasure, or to gain a sense
Green Day tend to focus portraying guns, cars and of their own identity or
more on social issues. ‘gangsta’ images feeling of belinging? Or are
(stereotypes). they buying it because they
have been influenced by
someone.

5. Christina Aguilera – Bi-on-ic
Artists full name
Album name
The image is the largest
Same image as the
, most eye-catching part.
front of the album
The star is the unique
but the face is split
selling point and one of the
suggests the artist
reason fans will buy this
may be opening up.
CD.
Use of colour
Parental
advisory Use of colour black
sticker boarder- gives clues to
type of music genre.
Track names, amount of tracks on the
album, and running order of tracks – the text
is fitted in between the two half's of the
faces, could suggests the songs fits with the
Barcode
artist. The colour of the text is black and the
last 5 tracks are red theses are addiction/
bonus tracks. spine has the name of the
The
album and the artists name –
The producers details in small print
practical reason for when its on the
shelf. as this isn’t so important to the fans

6. Artists full name
Lady Gaga – Born This Way
Album name
The image is the largest
, most eye-catching part.
The star is the unique
selling point and one of the
reason fans will buy this
CD.
The image is the same as the
front but placed on a motorbike
which also gives its an edgy feel.
Use of colour – black and
white image with bright
red lick stick which gives
it an edge.
Track names, and running order of tracks
and which tracks are on each album – the
text is right a lined and the big image is fitted
in between the text.
Barcode
Privacy Warning! – copyright protected
and the law against is it stated
The producers details in small print
as this isn’t so important to the fans

7. Artists name – not full name the fan
BEYONCÉ - 4
will recognise the name and image.
The image is the largest , most eye-
catching part. The star is the unique
selling point and one of the reason fans
will buy this CD.
Artists name – not full
Album name name the fan will recognise
the name and image.
Use of colour – Pale colours and used
and the gilet she is wearing is black
which stands out next to the pale
background.
The image is the largest , most eye-catching
part. The star is the unique selling point and
one of the reason fans will buy this CD.
Showing the back of the star represents the
Barcode
back of the album.
Track names, and running order of tracks
and number of each track– the text is written
on the wall of the photo and it written next to
each other horizontally, making use of the The producers details in small print
image used. as this isn’t so important to the fans

8. Rihanna - LOUD
No artists name – fans will
recognise the image
The image is the largest , most eye-
catching part. The star is the unique
selling point and one of the reason fans
will buy this CD.
Different image to the front of the
album, star sat on a stool looking
Album name
direct at the camera, soft calm
coloured curtains behind could
suggests privacy and reflection.
Barcode
Use of colour – Natural colours used, bright
red lip sticks to match her bright colour
hair, the same colour also the dark black eye
lashes stand out on the image – eyes are shut
fans still would straight away recognise the
image.
Track names, amount of tracks on the album, and
running order of tracks – the text is placed over
the middle of the curtain and is centred text.
The spine has the name of the
album and the artists name –
practical reason for when its on the
shelf.
The producers details in small print States where the album is made
as this isn’t so important to the fans and about the recordings

9. Different Genres CD Covers

10. Different Genres CD Covers

11. Design and produce a magazine
advertisement, promoting your
digipak.
It will need to:
- Apply to the right audience
- Catch peoples attention
- Be eye catching
The genre will need to be same
through out both items the digipak
and magazine advertisment

12. Excising
Album
Cover
Christina Perri – Jar of Hearts
4:32 Minutes
Album – Lovestrong
by Christina Perri