jack Johnson, digipak analysis, media studies, 2014, coursework, media media media media, coursework, year 13, coursework

1. Digipak Analysis

2. The choice of font connotes a straightforward idea/image about the artist, this
reflects a raw quality of his acoustic music. The same font has been used
throughout the majority of his albums this is therefore recognizable to his fans
and audiences. I believe that the use of a silhouette indicates to the viewer
that the focus is based around the music rather than this artists image. Having
looked at other images from artists within the same genre, I found out that this
is a typical piece of imagery. As many artists within this genre want the focus to
be solely about their music rather than themselves, their image and fame.
Bright, eye
Although the colour choice is bold and eye catching it still manages to stick catching!
to the genre conventions and allows the audience to identify along with
the other aspects of the front cover, the genre of the album. Yellow is a
highly appealing colour choice as it has positive conations such as happines
which is clearly what the artist would want the fan/audience to feel whilst
listening o the album .
The sticker on the front of this album
indicates that this digipak is a ‘special
edition’. This has positive conations for
the albums audience and loyal fans of
the artist as this would been seen as a
collectors edition. This would hold
more of a personal connection with
the artist rather than an Itunes
download or any internet download.
Artists name
Record label
As well as the
special edition
sticker there is
also a sticker
that indicated
bonus tracks
thus therefore
reinforcing
the
connection
between artist
and listener.

3. The use of the leaf imagery also shows the artists connection
with nature, this is conventional of material from this genre.
This would be highly appealing to the albums audience as yet
again this makes the artist seem grounded and realistic
therefore the listener could find his lyrics more appealing.
Following on from the front cover of this digipak, the
booklet flows with the same colour choices. The use of
botanical imagery suits the artists genre and keeps to the
idea of the artist wanting the focus to be on his music
not his image.

4. Handwritten song list reinforces to
the audience the idea of the artist
being relaxed, written his own lyrics
to the songs, allows audience to
realize he’s a song writer.
Further images of guitars allows the
audience to realize he plays his own
instruments. Using specific imagery
like this shows the audience the genre
of music this artist belongs to and
would therefore appeal to them.
Image of the sea in the background is key for loyal fans of the artist.
As after conducting research I found out that the artist was raised
on the coast of Hawaii.
The booklet would appeal to the artists audience as it portrays the artist
as an easy going fun guy due to the imagery of himself spending time
with friends on the beach this could allow the audience to relate to
elements of his life. Therefore creating a connection between the
audience and artist.
Although the guitar imagery isn’t specific to this
genre of music I believe that with all of the
other design elements of the digipak such as
the choice of colour and artist imagery(with
friends) I think that the genre of music is clear.

5. Again these images of the artist in usual normal places
reinforces the chilled feel of the album and allows the
audience to imagine themselves with the artist as he’s
portrayed as a normal guy. Therefore this is highly
appealing to the audience as they can relate to him.
Yet again calming colours have been used throughout the
digipak. This idea has been reinforced due to the imagery that
has been used such as the constant images of the sea. This is a
popular convention of the acoustic easy listening genre and can
also be seen on the cover of his album ‘On and on’. This
contrasts with what you would expect to see on the inside of a
pop booklet, as you would most likely find an airbrushed imagine
of the artist.

6. Artists’ booklet. Uses the same
imagery that is also found on the
plastic CD tray.
Conforms to
the
conventional
layout of usual
digipaks
Image of the artist allows audience to view
the artist and familiarize themselves with his
image. Also shown with acoustic guitar
which is a key genre convention which
allows the audience to see that he produces
‘folk’ music. This is a key piece of imagery
which is why it has been used throughout
the whole digipak.
Similar colours are
found within the
inside of the digipak
such as yellow,
orange and the leafy
green these colours
are very calming
which conveys ideas
about the artist and
the style of music,
and the genre it
belongs to.
There is a large
absence on the
inside of the album
and after doing
further research
the same patterns
appear on most of
his albums. I
believe that this
style highly
reflects the
smooth easy-ness
of the music, as
nature is usually
associated with
well being.
The image of the artist is used for intertexuality because the
same image but reversed is used for other promotional
material such as the poster for the In Between Dreams Tour.
This is very important as it makes adverts and the merchandise
more recognizable to the artists target audience.

7. Looking through the other images of the artists albums
I’ve noticed a pattern within the imagery. Although the
artist is shown on every album cover he is never really the
sole focus for example the silhouette, the rain falling in
front of his face. Not one of his albums shows him as the
main focus. It’s always shadowed by something else such
as the rain, or typography or a tree.
Recurring imagery throughout
other album covers. Guitars,
nature such as trees, rain,
landscapes and the sea.
Calming colours used
throughout, blues,
yellows, oranges.
Similar font styles throughout the range of
albums, consistent style as they all look
handwritten. Therefore this again reinforces the
idea that the artist is down to earth and cares
more about the portrayal of his music rather
than his image.

8. After analysing this digipak and my other digipak I have learnt many things
that will influence the planning of my own digipak such as:
• Pick colours that suit your genre this will allow the audience to quickly
come to conclusions what genre of music the album belongs to.
• The font should be kept the same throughout the digipak this creates
continuity, allows the album to flow, and can be highly recognizable for
fans/the audience.