digipak research

1. DIGIPAKS
Digipaks typically consists of a book style paper or cardboard outer binding with
one or more plastic trays capable of holding a CD or DVD attached to the inside.
Digipak-style packaging is often used for CD singles or special editions of CD
albums and the tall DVD Digipak (DVDigipak) is used as a premium package for
DVDs and DVD sets.

2. Research into digipaks within the indie pop
genre
Example 1:
A mid/close up shot frames the artist ‘Lana’ in the
centre of the frame, drawing the audience into her
beauty, creating a visual element for the audience
to indulge, thus emphasising her vintage style to
attract the artist’s intended audience.
The font is big and bold, with capital
letters at the top of the advert to catch
the audiences attention. In addition, the
white font and blue background contrast.
The deliberate white and blue colour scheme
creates a calming ,innocent feel. In addition,
the background is the outside, which is a
typical convention for the Indie genre, as
they tend to have quite natural, simplistic
locations.
The top of the sky with an almost floating
figure in white suggests a angelic feel, which
is text cohesive with the bold title ‘born to
die’, creating a sense of heaven.
The red roses symbolise love, romance
suggesting a theme for the artists song.
The track list are in a bold
white font, contrasting with
the red background helping
to engage the audiences
attention.
At the bottom of the pak,
is the website, contact
details and record label.

3. Example 2:
The close up image of the artist is the
largest and most eye catching part of the
digipak, putting emphasis on Sheeran as
the unique selling point of the album.
The restricted exposure of Ed’s face shows
an idea ‘coming out of the shadows’. This
could be linked to his new found fame ,
with this album being his first.
Sheeran’s eyes are directly looking at the
audience, enticing them to buy the album
by creating a sense of direct address.
The image of Ed Sheeran is a chalk drawing
by Philip Butah. The sketch drawing gives a
sense of realism, an concept indie artists
such as Sheeran would be relatable to.
The colour of the album may be related
the artist himself, relating to his ginger
hair, as this is an iconic statement for the
artist. In addition, it could also connote his
personality are orange is a vibrant, fun,
warming colour.
The cross symbol is a recognisable
symbol to the artist and is connoting
the album name.
The vibrant orange colour scheme is
similar throughout, with the white
font used for the track listing.
The record labels, contact
details and credits are all
listed in the small print,
emphasising his credibility.
The cross
symbol is
again
repeated on
the back on
the album,
almost
reminding
the
audience
the name of
the album.

4. Example 3: This digipak follows a back
and white/silvery colour
scheme. The plain back
background of the album
could be a connotation of
the artist herself, as her
songs are very dark,
therefore if an artist is draw
in by the album itself, they
will tend to be the type of
people who would enjoy her
music.
As there is no image of the
artist, it presents her as
fairly unconventional.
The font is the main
subject of the album,
which contrasts heavily
with the background.
The album name relates to the artist
herself, as her image is fairly unique.
However, the album name ‘pure
heroine’ contrasts purposefully with
the dark background, as pure and
heroine have connotations of
goodness, hero, angelic features;
whereas the dark background gives a
sense of danger, mystery. Again,
emphasising the artist as being
unconventional.
The back colour scheme follows on
the back of the album.
The symbol on the back of
album is relatable to the
artist,
as it is almost a similar to
her image.
The record labels, contact details and
credits are all listed in the small
print, emphasising his credibility.

5. Example 4:
The setting of the image is
on a country road. This
links to the convention of
setting in an indie music
video, with it being quite
bland and simple,
articulating a sense of
realism. In addition, the
road looks like an English
road indicating that this is
an English band, this,
suggesting the convention
of the band being more
grittier and down to earth.
The photograph was taken at
night, with a spot light shining
on the lead singer in the band.
The spot light could connote the
importance of the artist and the
rise of the band as this was their
first album. In addition, the way
in which the artist is running
into the darkness could give the
idea that they don’t know where
their music could take them. The
way in which the artist is
blurred, running into the darker
could also suggest that their
music isn’t as clear cut and
obvious as other bands are, and
that they have a deeper
meaning; therefore the band are
trying to sway away from being
‘mainstream’.
The title of the band and
album name is in big capital
letters, contrasting with the
dark background to draw the
audiences attention.
Furthermore, in replace of the
A in the titles, there is a
symbolic icon, which relates to
the indie genre as it is quite
unique.
The back of the digipak
follows the similar theme
and colour scheme as the
front. However, how we
can see the headlights
coming from a car, and no
sign of the singer,
therefore suggesting he has
go to where he intended to
be and this could be a
reflection of the band
getting to where they want
to be, creating an album as
it is their first album.
With the track names, there is the length of each
track which is different, therefore highlighting
the uniqueness of this indie pop band.
The record labels, contact details
and credits are all listed in the small
print, emphasising his credibility.
Furthermore, the address for their
website is listed separately, which
suggests they use their website
greatly to promote themselves and
that they are a new and growing
band.

6. Example 5:
The way in which there
are lights around the
artist and the artists
name and album name
is in bright lights is
cohesive to the album
name ‘bright lights’
therefore in this case,
this would be quite
conventional.
The colour scheme within this
digipak is quite neutral
suggesting a calming, peaceful
atmosphere, which link to the
artist’s songs. The album
colour scheme and golden
lights create an angelic effect
to the artist.
Furthermore, this is reinforced
by the actual portrait of the
artist, as she isn’t looking into
the camera, she looks at peace
with herself, almost free,
relating to the songs within her
album and the feelings she
wants her audience to feel
whilst listening to her music.
The bar code and
logo/information from record
labels are located on the back
of the album, helping to
increase its credibility.
The album follows the similar colour
scheme, keeping to neutral, calming
colours with the bright twinkly lights
that are almost resembling stars,
again relating to the angelic effect.
Album name
and artist on
the side of
the album

7. ADVERTS:
• A typical magazine advert should include:
• Name of Artist
• Name of Album
• Main Image
• Release date
• Record label logo
• Reviews “the new album”, “album of the year” 5 stars ect
• List of hit singles included on the album
• Band/Record label website
• Facebook/Twitter
• Occasionally includes a QR code
• Purchase information (‘available on iTunes’ ect)

8. ADVERTS:
The artist’s name in bold
capitals at the top of the
advert to draw the audiences
attention
Album name in blue to
match with the natural
colour scheme
The release day of the album at
the bottom of the advert is
important so people know
when to buy it. The advert also
includes the names of three
number one songs that are all
included within the album. On
the left bottom of the advert is
an amazon logo, which tells the
audience the album will be
available to purchase here.
There is also the web address
for the artist, as a place the
audience can go to get more
information.
All of these adverts match the digipaks to create the overall package
Name of the artist bigger than
the other text as it’s the main
selling point.
Album name (logo) is shown so
that this particular album is
recognisable among his
audience/fans.
Date in which the album is
released to inform his
audience.
With the names of his most
popular songs that are
included within the album.
The record label is displayed
which increases the artists
credibility.