The document provides information about different types of CD/DVD packaging including digipaks. It notes that digipaks typically have a paperboard outer binding and one or more plastic trays inside to hold a CD or DVD. The term "digipak" is often used generically for similar packaging from other companies. Digipak-style packaging is commonly used for CD singles or special editions and tends to show signs of wear more quickly than jewel cases unless coated with a protective UV coating. The document also analyzes and compares different album/single cover designs and advertisements in terms of themes, imagery, target audiences, and how they relate to the genre of music.

1. Digipak/CD cover Designs.

2. “Digipak is a patented style of compact disc or DVD packaging, and is a registered trademark of AGI Media, a MeadWestvaco, Inc. resource, which acquired the original trademark holder, IMPAC Group, Inc., in 2000. MeadWestvaco licensed the name and designs to manufacturers around the world.” “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. Since Digipaks were among the first alternatives to jewel cases to be used by major record companies, and because there is no other common name for Digipak-style packaging made by other companies, the term digipak or Digi-Pak is often used generically, even when the media holder is a hub or "Soft Spot" rather than a full plastic tray. 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. Because such packaging is less resistant to abrasion than jewel cases, it tends to show signs of wear relatively quickly. Licensed digipak manufacturers such as domestic U.S. printer and disc replicator Oasis Disc Manufacturingrecommend coating the raw printed paper with a protective UV coating, thus ensuring greater longevity.” -sourced from Wikipedia.org-

3. Back/Spine Front cover This digipak is quite simply designed, in that it has few colours and fonts. I think it has the ‘effortless’ technique, to attract a certain teenage audience. The colour scheme could be aimed at both males and females. To me, the blue connotes calmness, yet the black and white photo of the innocent looking ornaments has a certain mystery about it, as if something unexpected will happen to disrupt the calm. CD/Inside tray

4. This is the CD design, single cover and music video for Paramore - Decode. I can see that the aim of the designs were to fit in with the theme of the movie "Twilight" which the song is featured in and was written for. The movie takes place a lot in forest area, so the artwork and video were obviously designed to match this. People can then make the link between the film and the music video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvnkAtWcKYg&feature=player_embedded) Front Inside right Inside left Inside centre Inside right The colour blue creates a constant melancholy theme throughout. This is because it connotes sadness, or even obscurity. Spine Back centre Back left

5. Linked Single Covers. These single covers are all linked in the way that they are illustrated and the colour schemes are quite similar. You can see that the backgrounds are very alike in colour, maybe as if they are supposed to look like canvases. It looks like there has been one artist to design all 3 of these as the pictures are similar in style, and they look kind of ‘vintage’. Also the fonts follow continuity as they are all the same. I think these covers reflect the genre of music that this band are known for (Rock/Pop). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye5ivNkEcwo&ob=av2n - The video for Stay With Me (middle cover) links to the cover as it is performed in a rural type of area with trees like the one on the cover.

6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ1Mi77nogQ This digipak is completely based on the music video. The imagery is the same, and it looks as though the pictures are just stills taken on the video shoot. I think it does represent the genre which is minimalist electric pop . The cover has a kind of 80’s feel about it, as does the music. I can tell this from looking at what the artist is wearing, and what the video/pictures involve; an 80’s car, dark lighting (which also reflects on the song title and mood) and excessive use of effects in the video. The name of the single is repeated over the cover. On the spine you can see the record label, and on the back, as well as the barcode. Front Inside Back/Spine CD

7. Linked advert designs This is the actual album artwork, and as you can see it is the same image as used for the advert. I think this works well as it doesn’t cause confusion, and it is clear what the album looks like. One of these adverts is promoting the single and one is promoting the whole album. You can see that they are both very similar, as they use the same fonts and colour schemes. This is so that the audience can relate them to each other and recognise that it’s that band’s “style”. I think the genre of music ties in well with the artistic style because they are both entropic, and will bring in the audience they are aimed at.

8. The advert for this album uses the same idea as the previous, using the same image as the album. It also includes the live tour dates, record label and release date or the album. The image for this is entropic, as it doesn’t really relate to the genre of any of the songs on the album. Maybe the idea behind it was to get people thinking about what it may stand for. It looks as though it is aimed at a wide range of people, as the colour scheme and fonts are quite neutral. It does work in grabbing the attention of more than one type of person.

9. This advert is very simplistic, yet has the right effect. The main image relates to the album title. This means people will relate the words to the picture, therefore being more simple to recognise. I think it is aimed at an older, male audience, because of the dark colours. The font colour is kind of metallic, like the band’s name. The style of the advert links to the genre of music (which is metal/rock) The album cover doesn’t have exactly the same image, but they are very similar, in that they both feature a coffin with magnetic fields. The fonts are also the same, linking the two together. I think this package works well together.