1) R&B album covers typically feature a close-up shot of the female artist's face to make them iconic. The artist intends to take medium and close-up shots of the protagonist and experiment with editing effects. 2) Artists are recognized by their hairstyles, which usually include afros or braids/plaits. The artist intends to create a similar hairstyle to show conventions of the genre. 3) R&B artists typically have mixed ethnic backgrounds. The artist intends to use a model of mixed ethnicity to relate to the genre and target audience.

1. R&B/Soul
Digipak Conventions

2. Front cover image: The artist (mainly female)
In R&B the cover’s image of a digipak is stereotypically a female of a black/mixed race
background. As shown in the pictures above, a close up/medium close up of the artists’ face is
the centre image of the CD, making it iconic on the album. In the iconography of my digipak I
intend to take medium and close up shots of the protagonist and experiment with editing effects
to make the shot look more appealing and professional.

3. Style: Afro hairstyles (Braids/Plaits)
In R&B digipak covers, the artists are recognised by their iconic hairstyle they have which
usually links to the genre they’re in. Normally the artist will have an afro and/or
braids/plaits. Linking to my digipak I intend to create a similar hairstyle to show conventions
of the genre, such as wavy, curly, afro, etc.

4. Black African/Caribbean race (Mixed race)
R&B is known as being as a black American genre where the majority of artists are of mixed
race backgrounds. Relating it to my digipak product I intend to purposely use a model that
has ethnic backgrounds, so it relates to my genre but as well to my stereotypical target
audience of ethnic background youths.

5. Funky
In R&B/Soul the artists style of clothing are often described as funky, modern and cool. It
portrays therefore the modern, contemporary vibe of the music they produce but also the
mellow tone of the genre which is often smooth and constant rhythm. Their sense of style is
also influenced by disco, as the artist uses the high knee boots and funky combinations.

6. Location: Urban/suburb
Stereotypical locations found in a R&B/Soul digipak are suburb streets and suburb cities. In
the Estelle CD front cover , the effect of the shinning lights in the background portray a feel
of city lights and set an atmosphere. Relating the use of this effect in the digipak to my
digipak production, I intend to use lighting as a key part of the digipak as it makes the
digipak stand out and lights up the image in the cover making it more appealing to the
buyer’s eyes.

7. Props: Old Microphone, retro radio
R&B/Soul is known for using retro props in their videos genre such as old microphone, retro
radios, TV, etc. However, these aren’t use in the album cover, as the artists are mainly the
iconography displayed in the cover. Challenging the conventions of R&B, I could experiment
showing props/instruments on the album front cover and incorporate it with the artists.

8. Design: Mono tone colour scheme
In R&B/Soul digipaks the colour scheme is a key part of the digipak structure and how the music
and artist relate to the genre. A brown sepia mono tone colour scheme is one of most used in
R&B genre music as it emphasises and relates R&B to the stereotypical ethnic group that listens
to it. It also relates to the old Motown records and their albums. Relating the colour scheme with
my digipak product I intend to use a similar tone of colour to the digipak as it makes my product
relate to the genre, giving it a classy and timeless feel. A high contrast added to the light makes
the image and colour more vivid and iconic to the eyes of the buyer.