An analysis of 2 existing digipacks by Taylor Swift and Oasis, two completely different artists with similar styles to their album art.

1. Analysis of existing digipacks
Taylor Swift and Oasis

2. Taylor Swift - 1989
This digipack has been created to imitate something else, a polaroid picture.
An effect has then been used on top of the picture to make it seem dated,
something which a polaroid picture from the 1980’s (as is stated through
the album title) may be. I have selected the deluxe version of the album, and
this is stated in exactly the same way as the artists name is on the front –
through abbreviation: ‘T.S’, ‘D.L.X’. Again, this may have been done to
imitate exactly the way a polaroid from the 1980’s may look, with
abbreviations as there is limited space to write on. The album title itself,
‘1989’, looks as though it has been drawn over the top in permanent marker.
This all comes together effectively as it makes to present a very homemade,
authentic album cover.
The actual graphics used throughout the digipack must be commented on. A
theme is established throughout the digipack revolving around
handwritten, homely and time worn element. The main image incorporated
on the front of the album is that of a mid shot of the artist, Taylor Swift. A
clever framing technique is used, in that the top of Swift’s head is
deliberately cut off just below her eyes. This is then opposed on the back of
the album, which shows from her nose upward. This almost makes one
picture seem like a continuation of the other. By using a medium close up of
the artist, the audience is forced to focus on Taylor’s beauty and simplicity.
The simplistic design also contributes to the vintage theme running
throughout the album cover. Taylor Swift is recognised globally for her
brightly coloured lip stick, a key focus of her previous albums such as ‘RED’
as well. The focus falls on the stark red colour of her lips on this cover as it is
one of the brightest colours featured on the album, allowing her audience to
instantly recognise her branding.

3. Oasis – Definitely Maybe
‘Definitely Maybe’ by the Mancunian band Oasis is the fastest selling
debut album of all time recorded in the UK. The picture n the front of
the album shows all 5 members of the group in different locations
around a room. Inspiration for the album cover was taken from ‘A
Collection of Beatles Oldies’, which was released in 1966.
Within the photo, many things may be comment on which contribute to
the album and give away small references to each of the songs featured
on the album. The mise-en-scene has been purposefully set up in order
to do this. For example, the large hanging globe in the top right hand
corner may represent the song title ‘Up in the Sky’, as it is physically
hanging from up in the sky. On the floor by Liam is a glass of wine and
some cigarettes, what may be a purposeful reference to the hit single
‘Cigarettes and Alcohol’.
It may be noted that the album art is particularly busy in opposition to
similar popular bands of the genre at the time, such as Blur. It is clear
that Oasis wanted to make a statement with their album art. The back of
the album is very similar to the front in that it is a picture taken in
exactly the same location as the front. However, the fourth wall is
broken between the band and their audience with this, as Liam is
pictured staring straight into the camera. The rest of the band members
seem to all be just as nonchalant to the situation as they were before,
however Liam is holding the hanging globe and staring straight into the
camera, almost sending a message that Oasis have the world in the palm
of their hands, they are taking the world by storm.