Digipak - Information and Conventions. A2 Media

1. DIGIPAK – INFORMATION AND
CONVENTIONS
A2 Media Coursework.

2. DIGIPAK
• A digipak is a patented style of CD packaging – they usually consist of a
gatefold (book-style) paperboard or card stock outer binding, with one
or more plastic trays that can hold a CD.
• The dimensions of a digipak are 1600x1600 pixels at 300 dpi
(pixels/inch).

3. INFORMATION CONVEYED ON A
DIGIPAK
• The digipak often contains information that the artists and institutions are trying to convey to
audiences.
• The name of the artist or a picture of them – the name or picture of the artist, depending on how they
have connoted it through brand identity would be the most important piece of information, as this may
be the decision maker for audiences because they are more likely to consume the product, if they know
who the artist is.
• General image or art – if the artists picture is not use, other art may be used that could attract
consumers, especially if the art is mysterious or connotes deeper meanings.
• Track list – every digipak has a track list to make artists aware of what songs are in the album and if any
other artists were featured in it (which may attract other audiences to buying the product). Some of the
songs may have released prior to the albums release as singles, perhaps by seeing that the singles are in
the album, it may prompt consumers to purchase the album.
• Album Title – the title of the album may connote themes to the audience that might interest them and
as such, they might purchase the album.
• Institution Credits – logos of the institutions may be featured in the back cover to show involvement and
increase their reputation.
• Copyright information and Disclaimers – to protect the album from piracy and illegal distribution.

4. CONVENTIONS OF A DIGIPAK
• Front Panel/Cover – The Front Panel/Cover is what consumers will see first
on the digipak when they purchase (in any exhibition platform – be it a store
or online). The front panel/cover has an image in front of it that could relate
to the artist or it could a thematic art relating the the album title or the
songs in it. The name of the artist is displayed (more often than not) to
convey identity to the audience so they will know who the album is by and
thus pick it up in stores.
• Back Panel/Cover – The Back Panel/Cover consists of conventions,
including: copyright information, institution credits, track listing, and a bar
code; it also may feature the crediting of any artist, who has collaborated on
the song, or any famous executive producers/producers. This is done to
perhaps try to attract consumers of other artists to engage with this product.
• Spine – it contains the name of the artist and/or the name of the album, and
occasionally credits an institution.

5. CONVENTIONS OF A DIGIPAK
• Inside Panel – the inside panel is the panel right next to the CD Panel.
This often features further album art – maybe a picture of the artist or
other art – or sometimes might even have a message from the artist to
the consumer, usually a ‘thank you for the purchase’ note or an ‘enjoy
the album’ note, this would make consumers feel appreciated.
• CD Panel – the next panel would have a CD holder on it, with the CD
that could contain art; institution and/or artist credits; the album title;
copyright information; and the disk number (if there is more than one
disk). The panel on the CD holder may also have art of the artist as well.