This document discusses Digipaks, which are a type of CD/DVD packaging. It then provides examples of Digipak album covers for two indie pop artists - Florence and the Machine and Ellie Goulding. For both artists, the covers feature close-up portraits of the artists looking away from the camera, with illustrative backgrounds that fit the themes of their albums and signature consistent color schemes and logos.

1. Digipak Research
• What is a Digipak?
• Digipak is a patented style of CD, DVD or BD packaging, and is a
registered trademark of AGI-Shorewood, an Atlas Holdings LLC company.
• Digipaks typically consist of a gatefold (book-style) paperboard or card
stock outer binding, with one or more plastic trays capable of holding a CD
or DVD attached to the inside.

2. Cd Covers
Example within the Indie Pop genre:
Florence and The Machine
On the front we firstly see a mid-shot of the artist, typical of the
'Pop genre; however, she is looking away from the camera which
adds to the 'Indie' style by having a quite meaningful images
which is edited to makes the album front seem quite surreal. The
choice of Mise en scene also fits in with the genre that the artist
belongs in, being quite a unique style that we would not perhaps
in other genres but this does add to surreal aspect of the album
and the use of surrealism used within Florence's work and music
videos. The background behind the artist is not too colourful and
does not draw any of the attention away from the main artist. In
terms of colour scheme overall, the main colours we see are
pink, yellow and black, which keeps doesn't draw any attention
away from the artist but does show aspects of the 'Pop' genre by
having the yellow and pink as bold contrasting colours but the
use of black almost counteracts the 'pop' style colours and
suggests a more 'indie' and independent, thoughtful image.
The use of text used for the title of the album is fairly
professional, with the cover also containing her signature logo at
the top, featured on all of her other CD covers. The use of
a signature logo helps signify that the album is her own work and
no one else's, unlike the typical 'Pop' CD Covers. The back cover
of the album also follows the conventional style and colour
scheme, keeping it consistent. The CD itself, is a bright yellow,
which contrasts with the other covers of the CD, yet also fits into
the colour scheme. It also shows the signature logo for
Florence + the Machine and also the album title, in the same font
as the front cover.

3. Ellie Goulding
The second Digipak I have looked at is Ellie Goulding's 'Lights' album. The front
cover of this album is very much similar to Florence and the Machine's cover in
that it shows a close up of the artist, looking away from the camera. For an
indie pop genre, a common convention is images of the artist/band, which
makes it clear who they are. This has been strongly followed on Ellie Goulding’s
Digipak by the use of a portrait image on each panel. This puts the focus on her
and makes it clear it is her album. The Digipak cover is also very illustrative in
that it shows several lights behind the artist and through the use of the artist’s
signature logo. We cannot particularly see what the artist is wearing, but
presuming she is wearing black, this helps with the colour contrast on the front
cover with the lights and the artist herself; however, unlike other indie pop
artists whose album covers look quite busy, Ellie's album is a lot more simplistic
and illustrative similar to Florence and the Machine's album. The CD is quite
simple and fits in with the colour scheme, yet the use of small stars dotted on
the CD itself also fit with this illustrative meaning and title of her album "lights"
. We cannot see the back of the Digipak; however on the inside covers of the
Digipak it contains a mid-shot of the artist yet again looking away from the
camera. Once again through her use of black clothing this helps to contrast her
with the light theme in the background and follows the illustrative aspect
continued throughout the Digipak.
The second Ellie Goulding Digipak of entitled, ‘The Writer’ again suggests she
has done this by herself, and written her own music - which is another common
convention of Indie music. The colour scheme throughout the whole Digipak is
fairly pale colours, with the artist in natural make-up and hair. This suggests a
‘kind’ feel to the album and gives the audience an insight in what to expect with
her music, as well as creating a more ‘authentic’, ‘home-made’ feel towards the
album. The positioning of the artist so her hair is flowing, generates a more
outdoors feel, suggesting the music is light, and flows together. By using images
outside and in a field implies freedom, giving the audience an insight into the
type of music on the album.
The idea portrayed that Ellie Goulding again writes her own material is further
implied through her inside cover. The image shows her in the studio recording
her music but she is also playing the guitar. This shows that she has created it
alone and that her music is purely hers. By using a light, italic font this continues
the feel of softness. This font is also used throughout the Digipak making it
cohesive and linking the Digipak together and all her music and albums as
one, which makes her recognizable to fans and by also containing Ellie
Goulding’s logo again reinforces this. This of which is slightly more typical of the
'pop' genre but the use of a pale colour scheme, again tones down the album
from being too bright like the typical 'Pop' CD Covers which have bright Mise en
scene.