This document analyzes and summarizes the conventions of successful CD/DVD covers through examples. It discusses four covers in detail, focusing on how they use elements like images, lighting, fonts and backgrounds to convey messages about the artist and appeal to target audiences. Common techniques highlighted include contrasting images against plain backgrounds, emphasizing faces through lighting, and using bold fonts and imagery to depict themes of power, wealth and coolness.

1. CD/DVD Covers Analysis.
Range of successful CD/DVD covers to gain an insight to their
conventions and what makes them what they are.
Farzana Begum.

2. This CD cover is quite simple, as many modernised
covers today but this cover focuses on the main
image of ‘Jordin Sparks’ this is mainly because the
artist is wearing black and the background is
white, therefore the colours contrasts and make
the artist stand out more. Her clothing in the
cover also contrasts with the background as it has
flowers in it and at the corner of the CD cover,
which shows the purity of the CD cover.
This contrasts greatly compared also with the writing as it also is in Black at the right side of the CD cover,
this conveys how people perceive to be beautiful, yet when you start to look beyond this, you realise their
true colours and feel the pain of the artist, as she is looking down in the picture. This message is cleverly
interpretated from the musical compositions within this album but has managed to influence the cover
through this centre image that people can then relate to. Lastly, we have the simple masthead that
occupies a small amount of the page yet it still stands out, due to it being the only form of writing upon
the cover. We then gain yet another form of simplicity as we are presented with a subtle font that makes
this contrast to many CD covers today as they focus on bold, bright colours to appeal to the target
audience. However, this undemanding cover appeals to many due to this lack of boldness and imagery,
this is the reason why many modern covers are starting to become more and more simple as it seems to
be more effective within the music industry.

3. This CD cover is different to the previous one, when is about image, as the image in this cover
has got the full attention as the lighting is bright and bold. This is completely altered as the
cover manipulates the lack of light in order to emphasize the face of the artist, as well as the
gems upon the side of her face, where the source of light seems to be coming from. This
instantly makes the audience assume that Lady Gaga has supreme authority as well as the fact
that she seems to be wearing black, a domineering colour that suggests power. This notion of
looking is then taken further as we notice the glasses, with this we depict an element of cool as
the diamonds edited upon her shades imply wealth and supremacy. This use of mise-en-scene
fulfils this strong, independent ideology that has been enhanced within the musical aspect of
the album.

4. Once again we see a main focus upon the centre image and masthead that is distinct. When looking
at the actual centre image, we come across luminescent, neon lights that make this CD cover
standout when placed against this plain, black background. We then focus upon his stylish, and
professional outlook that appeal to teenage girls whom look at this dominant CD cover. This along
with the intense look on the artist’s face suggests that he is serious when it comes to his music and
the messages that he portrays to his adoring fans. This is illustrated through the city landscape that
seems to be within the hands of the artist, suggesting power over a whole nation, as his popularity
spreads among his grime target audience. Then, when advancing with the mast head, we notice the
edgy font that coincides with the modernised outlook and style presented to the target audience.
This has been optimized via the use of editing upon the light orbiting around the artist through
electric volts, which add to this power and control presented by the artist.

5. When evaluating Chris Brown’s album in comparison to the others, i seem to notice a greater
attention to overall mise-en-scene as the others focus on two main elements, the background and the
centre image. Immediately we gain a sense of dominance through the futuristic elements of
machinery exhibited in the general background where the target audience can clearly see volts of
metal containing money and valuables. When looking at the centre image of the artist, we feel that he
has this essence of cool, once again reflected through the connotation of the hat. Along with this,
there is the ‘bling’ such as, the shiny earing and the necklace and overall mise-en-scene that allows
viewers to understand which target audience/social group this specific artist is appealing to. This is
also manifested through the harsh body language that integrates this masculine dominance that
reigns over the target audience of hip hop and RNB lovers as well as rappers that aspire to be in his
position someday.