1. Digi-pack Analysis:
I have decided to analyze all three of Jason Mraz’s albums because the genre of the
songs are what we are doing, therefore we want to stick to the typical conventions of
these soul/pop digi-packs. I will be analyzing his first album ‘Beautiful Mess’, then ‘We
Sing We Dance We Steal’, followed by ‘LOVE is a four letter word’. This will allow me to
see whether the style of his albums have been continuous and what makes his digi-
packs recognizable to the audience.
By Tayla Powell

2. DIGI-PACK 1 – This first Digi-pack of Jason Mraz ‘Beautiful Mess’ shows a hand
drawn image of Jason himself. This is very unusual for a typical
FRONT COVER: CD cover, although I LOVE how it has been illustrated rather
than following typical conventions of a digi-pack. This conveys
that he is a solo artists and the main feature of the album. I
have noticed a theme throughout his career of using
illustrations rather than actual photographs, however because it
is so well-known in the present day for Jason to do this, this is
how he is recognized by the audience. This illustration is plain
and simple which juxtaposes against the eccentric colours of
the random images from him head. This could convey that he
may look simple on the outside but his songs are unique and he
has a talent for it. I admire this because it gives his album a
representation of being original, unique, although a cool
person. However due to not actually being able to see a image
of Jason is mysterious. This is the main focal point of the CD
cover. At the top of the composition is his name which is in
large, black bold writing, the black writing stands out against
the energetic background. The same iconic font is used which
shows how he has stuck to a house-style and it also means that
the audience will be able to identify him easily, although the
random images may be one of the first things to attract their
attention. Underneath their name is the album title, which is
also in the same black font, this is much smaller text and is most
probably the last thing the audience will notice.

3. DIGI-PACK 1 – The name of the artists is the boldest writing, its
CD: black and stands out against the white background.
This simple text is continuous throughout the whole
digi-pack, this may have been done due to the busy
composition. Underneath is the name of the album
with the disc number, this is in the same text but
smaller. This is allocated at the top of the
composition and stands out from the rest. The
background is white which fits in perfectly with
theme of the album because white connotes purity
and innocence which is often a positive trait in a
person, therefore this represents Jason as a nice, but
happy-go-lucky kind of guy. In addition, the simple
CD suggest that his music is self explanatory. There is
a image at the bottom of the frame of a orange
animal, the theme randomness and unpredictability
is frequent throughout this digi-pack, this is related
to the name of ‘beautiful mess’. The is quite plain
and therefore does not really express what his music
is represented like, although I admire how they have
kept the CD simple as it juxtaposes against the
busyness of the front and back cover.

4. The random images and energetic colours are consistent
DIGI-PACK 1 – throughout the digi-pack, this conveys that he is a happy,
unique kind of guy with a fun personality, and therefore
BACK COVER: suggests his songs are dissimilar and diverse to other
similar genres. The black front is stable and regular
throughout this. Unconventionally, the track list is
numbered vertically across the page. We can clearly see
in the same small text – creating consistency – the
producers name, special features, record labels and so on.
The barcode is allocated at the top right hand corner
which is vital to see on the back of a album. These are
conventionally located in one of the corners of the frame.
Unconventionally, he has used over 3 colours and this is
continuous throughout, the energetic, bright colours is
what initially attracts me to the CD, plus the random
objects implying ‘beautiful mess’ which is the album title.
This could simply suggest that he may look simple and
boring but he expresses himself through his songs. We
can evidently see here that there is a constant flow of
theme – here it is illustrations, eccentric random colours
and images – which is consistent throughout the whole
digi-pack. Unconventionally, his album cover has used
over 3 colours which I feel is effective because it easily
helps represent his style of music which is pop/soul and
his down to earth personality.

5. Sales:
• ‘Beautiful Mess’ got to 35th place un the U.S Billboard 200 charts, and does not
state sales figures, although wasn't one of Jason’s most successful album.

6. This is Jason Mraz’s second and most recent album called ‘we sing
DIGI-PACK 2 – we dance’. This CD image is a hand drawn photograph of Jason,
this is very plain, which can denote his songs are also
FRONT COVER: straightforward and simple. This image/symbol is what Jason in
the centre of the composition is what he is known for, as this is
the image he previously used in this prior digi-pack and therefore
recognizable to the audience. The drawing is quite child like
which could thereby target a younger audience, both male and
females. In addition to this, the child-like drawing suggest he has
a child-like innocence. The image is not detailed, so therefore
creates a mysterious image for audiences who don’t know of him,
whereas fans recognize this image. This theme is continuous
throughout not only this digi-pack but also his previous albums.
The name of the artist is place at the top centre of the
composition frame, this is similar to his prior CD. The name also
looks hand written, this is in bold black writing which juxtaposes
against not only the white background but the thin lines used in
the drawing. The use of a simple font could imply that his songs
are also uncomplicated. The name of the album is in the same
text at the bottom of the frame, this easily fits in with the theme
of the album. There is a strict colour scheme of only white and
black, the black writing is quite dominating against the white
background. This could also demonstrates Jason's down to earth
personality, as he does not need bright colours to make his album
stand out from the others.

7. DIGI-PACK 2 –
The composition of this CD in comparison to the
CD: previous one is much busier and interesting, although
the main focal point is his name in bold black writing,
which looks as if it has been hand written. The size is
large, and therefore takes up most of the framing. The
pictures around this look like doodles of random
images for example, a chicken, bird, kite, shoe and
hands. Therefore this theme of unpredictability and
randomness if continuous throughout the whole of his
digi-packs. Although, the images of a mouth could
representing ‘we sing’ in the title. The full title is ‘we
sing we dance we steal’ which the use of black and
white in the background could help represent both
negative and positive sides to himself. The white
represents purity and happiness, whereas the black
which is most predominate against the white
background is quite powerful and can represent evil –
in association with ‘we steal’. The colour scheme of
black and white is still consistent. The title of the CD is
placed in the inner rim of the CD reminding the
audience of the artists.

8. DIGI-PACK 3 –
BACK COVER: Once again there is a strict colour scheme of
only black and whites, this is confident
throughout, although juxtaposes against his
previous album. Furthermore, unconventionally
the track list has not been numbered which I
actually prefer. In the same writing but much
smaller is the name of the prouder. The barcode
is located in the top right hand corner, this is
typical to see and vital to add. One thing I have
notice is the record label at the bottom of the
frame, this is therefore promoting Atlantic
records. On this back cover which did not have it
on previous ones was a link to his official
website, I admire this because its a good way of
promoting ways to keep up-to-date with Jason
and his band. Copyright issues are allocated on
the right hand side of the frame, I found it
unique how the small writing is horizontal
because it makes the audience focus more on
the track list, therefore takes away the
distraction.

9. Sales:
• The album peaked at number three in the Billboard 200 which was Mraz's highest-
peaking album so far.
• It managed to sell 1,491,736 copies in America
• Certified Platinum by RIAA

10. This CD cover is Jason Mraz’s most recent release, we
DIGI-PACK 3 – can evidently see there is a change from his prior
album covers. I like this album which is isn't following
FRONT COVER & CD: typical conventions. The title ‘LOVE’ is made out of
shapes using primary colours. Similar to previous
albums, there is a theme of child-like images, these
are lettering and colours we would usually associate
with children. Therefore this gives Jason a child-like
innocence. These shapes are covered with shadows
against the white background. This isn't a very busy
composition which I like, however this does not
include traditional conventions of a CD for
example, artists name and a traditional logo/symbol
to make the artist recognisable which I feel is
definitely missing. This CD cover is not advertising
who it is promoting. The CD goes by a fierce colour
scheme of only green and white, the white bold
writing is the same font as the text on the cover which
is most predominate against the green background.
Due to Jason Mraz having strong opinions on
environment, the green background helps to portray
this. In addition to this the artists name does still not
appear, this is very unusual for a digi-pack because it
does not allow the audience to get acknowledgment
of whom it may be advertising.

11. DIGI-PACK 3 –
BACK COVER This digi-pack is very simple yet quirky. On
the back cover the background is still
white, although the eccentric colours of
the track list creates excitement. The title
of the CD ‘Love is a four letter word’ is at
the top of the frame, alongside with the
artists name, however this is difficult to
see as if blends in with the track list, the
same font is consistent throughout,
although has changed from their last
albums. Each word is a different colour
which presents a happy and fun album, the
track list is all on one line, rather than
them being below each other, I feel that
this looks quite cluttered and busy. Below
this is the producers and once again the
record label is being promoted plus copy
rights which is typical to see. The barcode
is placed at the bottom, along with a white
box promoting his album.

12. Sales:
• In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number two on the UK Albums
Chart
• It sold 17,021 copies and is Mraz' highest-charting album so far.
• Love Is a Four Letter Word debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 in the
United States, becoming his highest-charting album.
• The album sold 102,000 copies in its first week.

13. CONCLUSION:
After looking at 3 different digi-packs from my chosen artist, it has allowed me to see
the consistent codes and conventions allocated in the album. I have taken great
interest into the illustration of the artist rather than a photograph. I love the idea
of the artist being half illustrated and the other half photographed. I feel this
would fit in perfectly with the genre and make our artist unique and diverse. This is
something I would definitely experiment with. My favourite digi-pack is the first
album (Beautiful Mess) mainly because of the illustration and bright colours
intertwined together as this brings excitement to the album. I did notice that
Jason’s songs have a strong view point such as war and environment which the
energetic colours help present this because they grab the audiences attentions
unexpectedly. I recalled that the random photos consist of an 80s styled boom box
and a 20s styled grammar phone, these unorganised thoughts help express himself
through his songs. I
admire how Jason broke typical conventions that are
supposed to be used in a album which creates a daring
and rebellious representation. Furthermore, looking at
the success from all three of Jason’s albums, we can
clearly see that buying CD’s are still popular even with a
increase in downloads.