The document analyzes and summarizes the design elements of three CD digipaks: 1) Eminem's "Curtain Call" uses a stage motif with curtains and roses to represent the theme of show business. The roses motif is extended throughout the design. 2) Biffy Clyro's "Opposites" uses an abstract tree motif to represent nature. The front and back covers use opposing tree images to contrast themes. 3) Mika's "The Boy Who Knew Too Much" uses bright colors and crowded design to represent glam rock and new wave genres from the 1970s. The disc features an alien face image continuing the alternative theme.

1. Analysis Of Three CD Digipaks
BY FRANK PARNELL

2. Digipack 1: Eminem: Curtain Call: The Hits (2005)
The cover of Eminem’s Album Curtain Call has connotations of the life
of showbiz that Eminem lives by. It does not show Eminem's face on
the cover but instead has his name to make his album determinable.
The actual title itself , ‘Curtain Call’, also adds to this theme of show
business and Is highlighted through the image used. The Image is
clearly a stage and some curtains with the figure about to bow. Thus, it
amplifies the title directly as a visual representation. This cover Is not
something I could see myself working with as it has connotations of
success which I am trying to avoid as my artist is fairly new on the
scene in the Hip-Hop genre. The roses used in the cover image indicate
success and adoration from the fans of the performer on stage (who
people could take a guess as being Eminem). This is a clever devise
used in design as it indicates a motif of the roses which can be easily
coordinated to with the green of the title and the blue of the curtains
including the red of the roses, this is an inclusion and combination of
simply very generic colours for the album which ultimately work
together.
The motif of roses and the image itself which is used on the cover is
extended from new angles to both the CD itself and the back of the CD.
The Roses are captured on the back of the back of the CD from a new
angle to link the concept together neatly and they are also linked in
through the black and white filtered photo of the roses which is used on
the CD. The Green theme is used in some of the key sections of writing on
the back of the CD and the CD itself; this is an element I would like to
apply to my work or at least try it out as I think it would be a nice idea to
be able to allow the fans to establish a colour to my artist or the particular
genre. The structure of the writing is a neat format I believe would suit
nicely with my genre and with my artist’s running order. It also does just
generally appeal to me because of its simplicity. It is definitely another
convention I am willing to use. The overall inclusion of the roses as a
motif is impressive and for it all to interlink with the idea of production
and a stage setting/ scenario impresses me even more However I do not
believe I would be able to achieve a concept to such a quality, nor do I
believe it would suit my artist and the type of album I am hoping to
produce.

3. Digipack 2: Biffy Clyro: Opposites (2013)
This album comes from Biffy Clyro’s 2013 album Opposites, the artist is
from the alternative rock genre which justifies the abstract design of the
album’s digipak. The main focus of the album appears to be nature, wildlife
and tree life, this is demonstrated on with the inclusion of a tree on very
panel of the design. The design for the cover is very abstract works for the
genre that this music album represents, the impressionistic nature of the
design is simplistic but still stylistic and works with the nature of the album
genre. The official meaning for the lone tree image as said by the leader of
the band "I loved the original image of the tree, and I got thinking about
how strong the roots must be, and how strong my band is”.
The back image of the album links to the style of the discs, a lone tree
stood straight is the polar opposite of the front image with the image of
the deformed tree. This makes the album have more of a striking imagery
for audiences to appreciate. The continuity of the design of the discs when
compared to the back image also serves as an aesthetic that follows though
to different aspects of my design. The varying color of the discs also adds
to the appeal of the album as it varies it’s appearance firstly to be a more
creative design and secondly to individualize the different tracks.
The back plate follows a popular design for the track listing of it mirroring
itself between halves. And follows the aesthetic features of the tree but
have changed to a low angle shot, almost a POV shot, looking up at the
tree. The record label and relevant legal information is also included,
authentically positioned around the barcode. The back is neat and
positioned in a way that is seen in multiple different music albums.
This album design also includes an album leaflet (top left), this is seen in
many different albums and is likely to include lyrics of the songs, probably
alternative artwork for the album design and information about these
songs, artists and the album as a whole.

4. Digipack 3: MIKA: The Boy Who Knew Too Much (2009)
MIKA’s album works to singer, songwriter Mika’s chosen genre
of Glam Rock and New Wave music, but developing the sound
of the 1970’s in the UK. His cover fits the chosen genre with its
bright, outrageous colours and “crowded” design. New Wave
incorporated and created disco, mood and eclectic music styles
as one solo genre, this I believe is a strong inspiration and
reason for this styling and I think it works to its favour.
The disc is out there, it’s unique and different with a stranger
design than most CD discs, this displays a close, drawn face
image of some kind of alien, this acts also to the alternativity of
Mika’s design ideas.
The back image is less in colour with it mainly consisting of darks
and whites to resemble the night sky, this still doesn’t take away
from the over the top visuals however with planets being seen to
display a outer space feel to the album as a whole. The text on
the back however has kept to the yellow writing making it
aesthetically pleasing for audiences to read.