The document provides a detailed analysis of the design elements on the packaging of Blink-182's album "The Mark, Tom and Travis Show (The Enema Strikes Back!)". It examines the information on the side, such as the album title, as well as the strategically placed barcode and track listing on the back to minimize obstruction of the artwork. Intertextual references in the artwork and logos are also analyzed in relation to conveying the band's style and immature but fun persona.

1. Side of the Digi Pak Case – On the side
of the case, the following is stated: ‘The
Mark, Tom and Travis Show (The Enema
Strikes Back!’ This is the full name of the
album, and having it on the side of the
Digi Pak enables people in shops for
example, to clearly see what the album
is, without having to pick it up; they can
just look at the side. The artwork also
carries on all the way across the front
and back of the Digi Pak, and I really like
how continuous it is, as you can see the
full image when the case is unfolded; and
it looks great all together.
Bar Code – There is a barcode located on the back
of the case, and it is positioned so that it does not
significantly obstruct the artwork. Usually, the
barcode is in the bottom left/right corner of a Digi
Pak, but if this were the case on this album, some of
the artwork would be covered; more than what is
covered where it currently sits.
Track Listing – Like the barcode, the track listing has been
strategically placed in order to prevent covering as much of the
artwork as possible. As there are 50 pieces of audio on this
release all together, the main tracks have only been included
(there are 20 actual songs including one studio version ‘Man
Overboard’, and the remaining 30 are recorded conversations
between the band, jokes and general messing around. The Black
Box separates the tracks from the artwork
as well, showing contrast again, and as a
result, drawing the audience to it.
Intertextual References – Like the
front of the artwork, there are also some
Intertextual References on the back of
the artwork. The iconic ‘Travis I’m
Pregnant’ sign from the ‘All The Small
Things’ video is being held up by the
man dressed as a banana, who also
features in the same video, along with
‘What’s My Age Again?’ and ‘Man
Overboard’. Blink also has a track called
‘Aliens Exist’, and you can see several
Aliens in the crowd. The ‘I Stalk Mark
Hoppus’ sign is also from the ‘All The
Small Things’ video, and the Bunny on
the top of the Showers was a logo
created earlier for the band that has
been featured on Merchandise and Tom
Delonge has tattooed on his Arm.
MCA Records Logo – As you can see, at
the bottom of the side of the case, there
is a logo. This logo was for a Record
Company who went under the name
‘MCA Records’. This label was
responsible for the release of this album,
which is why the logo is present. Once
again, very strategically placed in order
to cover little artwork.
Copyright Information – There is some
small print on the Digi Pak, stating the
Copyright Laws that are in place, and
showing the audience who is responsible
for the creation of the album, and who
owns legal rights based on this
information. The faint small print does not
obstruct the artwork as much as a bolder
text would.
Genre Conventions – As you can see, there are people in the crowd
who follow the typical stereotype of a Rock Music Fan. With the spiked
hair, tattoos and brightly coloured hair, these are the kind of things
you would expect to see in this genre of crowd. Also, a few of the
people have their fists in the air, and ‘Sign of the Horn’, which is a hand
gesture associated with Rock Music. As well as this, many of the
Female characters are slightly objectified in the artwork. They have
large chests, tight shirts and crop tops on with their body parts very
prominent. No matter which genre of music you look at, you will often
find that women are portrayed in this way, and it’s a judgement that is
probably never going to change.
Style of the Band – As I have already
stated, Blink are quite Immature, but Fun
at the same time. So, having men
showering at the back of the crowd just
shows the kind of humour the band have,
and the fact you can see that the males do
not have pants on, also shows how Blink
are quite laid back and don’t really care
about the fact their work is seen as
inappropriate, they just like to have fun
and draw attention to themselves at the
same time.
Colour Scheme – Just like the front of the Digi
Pak, the back is also very colourful and fun to
look at. The colour range is also very diverse.
One thing that does stand out for me however
is the colour Pink. And, looking at the front of
the case, Pink is the colour of the spotlight
Tom is under, and he is positioned closest to
the front of the stage when compared to Mark
and Travis, showing that he is the Front Man
(even though him and Mark share this role)