This document analyzes and compares the album artwork designs of several indie artists. It discusses common trends in indie album art, such as experimental designs that break conventions and focus more on mood and themes than the artist's face. Specific album covers are examined in detail, noting design elements like color schemes, photography styles, font and text treatments, and how these visual elements relate to the artist's brand, music genres, and themes. Overall trends of establishing consistent visual identities through repeated design motifs across multiple album releases are also described.

1. Digipak Research
Rishi, Algwyne, Oliwia

2. Like many other indie genre digipak’s the artist face is not the focus.
Indie artists experiment more; clearly shown in this cover. The artist
is seen running away; perhaps representing that he is running away
from his life (linked to the dark nature of the music.)
The colour scheme used in the digipak is
a dark brown colour. It is clearly in the
dark; with lights from a car giving a
spotlight effect on the singer who
appears to be running. – the dull colour
works well for the band because the
music of the album is of dark nature.
The mise en
scene used
is a car with
only the
headlights
visible; a
location
which is an
open road;
and the
artist
running
away.
The text used is white a bold. It sticks
out from the dull background; therefore
making it the first thing you see when
you see the album cover. The same font
is used in the back of the digipak; this
consistency makes the album artwork
attractive and professional.

3. Other Bastille Album artworks.
When looking at themes
and typography, we can
see how Bastille use the
same font and same
triangle in all covers –
making them instantly
recognisable when
someone see’s the name
in that font (on a
magazine or billboard).
We can also see as an
Indie artist the album
artworks are unusual
and experimental;
Something which seems
to be a trend with indie
artists.

4. Lana Del Rey – Born To Die
Artist is in the centre of the cover. Using a
Mid shot clearly shows that she is the artist
of the album.
A more minimalistic approach is
‘Born To Die’. The white them runs
throughout the digipak (even the
artist is wearing white).
The front cover is bright (blue sky). This
reflects the mood of the music. This particular
album from Lana is more up tempo and light;
compared to other albums.
Lana is
seen
wearing
make up
(Red
lipstick)
– making
her look
attractive
and
perhaps
targeting
to male
audience
s?
Red rose on
the CD,
connotes
love and
sexual desire
– main
theme in the
music

5. Other Lana Del Rey Artworks
The artworks
clearly reflect
the mood and
themes of the
album – the
dark
Use of colour
for example
reflects the
dark nature
of the music.
Lana uses the same font style in all artworks; establishing her typography
with consumers and fans. She uses a bold/big/capital letters for both her
name and the album name. With the ‘Ultraviolence’ cover, the album is
her 4th album- making her an established artist; this reflects with the fact
she doesn’t have her name on the album cover – she has already built up
her fan base and audience.

6. Ben Howard – I Forget Where We Were
The back
cover is also
black with the
song track list
in white –
again an
experimental
digipak that
works well for
an indie artist.
Another more experimental look; Ben Howard is seen in the front cover but the dark
lighting and grey filter doesn’t allow you to see features like his eyes or mouth. The
instant reaction you feel when seeing it is ‘he is in the dark’. Perhaps representing
how he really feels – being depressed. The album is slow placed and there are sad
songs about love – which the artwork represents perfectly – the slow sad nature of
the songs.

7. Gabrielle Aplin – English Rain
Gabrielle Aplin is also an indie artist; linking with the experimental nature of indie
artists and album digipaks; we can see how Gabrielle Aplin has also expierimented;
We see her from a long distance away – not something you usually see in album
covers – normally the main focus is the artist’s facial features.
The dull location links with the title of the album – English Rain
Prop Used – Multi Coloured Umbrella;
contrasts well with dull background and
represents her colourful personality in a dark
world (Area)
Bright yellow dress worn by the
artist who is shown on a long
shot. The dress contrasts with
the dull background
The songs
on the
album are
slow love
songs –
hence the
theme of
the dull
background
goes well.

8. Other Gabrielle Aplin Artworks
The artist uses the same font in all her artworks. This block capital font
makes it easy to recognise the artist just by the font. The slanted writing
of the song/album name is also part of Gabrielle Aplin’s typography.
She also tends to use the same type of shot – from a distance (never
seen through close up).

9. Jake Bugg
Debut album for
artist Jake Bugg,
titled Jake Bugg.
The artist is not
known and
therefore
suggests why a
close up is used
on the front
cover – making
people aware of
him.
His name/album name is written in
bold/big/block capital letters –
something you can’t miss; again
making people aware of him
Choosing the album name to be his
artist name in itself is clever as it is
the only text used in the cover.
Jake’s music is of
indie folk genre and
therefore the colour
scheme used – dull
grey filter with a
touch of orange
gives the album a
more vintage look –
linking to the indie
genre
The artist is
shown looking
miserable – this
could link to the
songs he sings
about
(smoking/drinki
ng as a child)

10. On the back of the artwork,
another big picture of Jake is
establishing himself with
audiences. He is seen wearing
all black – connoting the
dark/slow music.
The track list is written in white
and seems to fade away making
it something the audience
would read after looking at the
picture and background.
Jake’s website is written at the back in a bigger
font then the other writings- attracting the human
eyes attention and therefore people would
probably visit his website – more recognition.

11. Lorde – Pure Heroin
Lorde’s debut album ‘Pure Heroin’
follows a black colour scheme with
silver writing. The artist’s name is
seen in block capitals at the top
and the album name is seen in the
same font and the same size at the
bottom. – Lorde is an indie pop
artist; Making this album cover
experimental and breaking
conventions of the pop genre.
It however works well
with the theme of the
music and songs
(dark/slow)
The back of the album is
also black with the track
listing in silver; in the
middle of the page.

12. Other Lorde artworks
With other song artworks, Lorde clearly perhaps
staying out of the shot; She is however seen in
‘Team’ however her hair is blocking her face.
There seems to be no trend with typography as
all text is different in all artworks.