Rihanna's album "Loud" uses provocative imagery and symbolism to portray a narrative of love and desire. The close-up shot of Rihanna's face on the cover suggests sexual tension, while red roses inside represent romance. These conventions apply character, narrative, iconography, setting and technical codes. The bedroom setting among red rose petals also alludes intertextually to the film "American Beauty". Enhanced lighting and colors create a provocative atmosphere that draws attention and encourages sales.

1. Tom Snaith – A2 Media Studies
Digi-pack Analysis: Rihanna

2. Tom Snaith – A2 Media Studies
Digi-pack Analysis: Rihanna
The conventions of Lacey’s Repertoire of Elements apply to Rihanna’s Digi-pack of her
album ‘Loud’. These being character, narrative, iconography, setting and technical and audio
codes.
Character can be applied to the Digi-pack through the use of provocative feminine gender
representation. The pop culture can stereotypically be seen as provocative and sexual when
representing female artists in this way. Rihanna has followed this representation when
designing her album. The character (Rihanna displayed on the album) may come across to
the target audience as sexual in terms of her facial expression on the front cover as the
close up of her face shows the sexual tension; maybe between her and whoever the album
is about. This sexual representation continues through the use of the colour red through the
album artwork. Rihanna goes along with the guidelines of the Pop culture well; this being as
it is portrayed in sexual and provocative way.
The obvious narrative through the album artwork is, is she in love? This is a narrative
enigma as at first glance it may look like every other Pop album cover, but when analysed it
can be understood that she is in love and could be thinking about her desire. This can be
seen through the use of red roses covering the inside of the album cover. These are an
iconic symbol of love hence they are on the album. Likewise to represent the strong
narrative of love her close up facial expressions and the enhanced use of gold, crème and
red all suggest she’s thinking about her desire. The way she’s down could suggest the
tension or frustration of the love being portrayed.
The album artwork is iconic to the genre itself as well as the narrative. This is achieved
through the use of the props such as red roses. These can be seen on the inside of the
album casing. Red roses are a stereotypical icon of love and romance; hence being used to
create this effect. She herself is an iconic figure in the Pop culture and is displayed on the
front, back and inside cover of the album. Finally an image of
Rihanna lying in a bed of red roses is a form of intertextuality of an
iconic image from the film American Beauty.
The mise en scene of the albums Digi-pack has been consistent in
the form of love and romance. This has been accomplished through the strong use of the
colour red, crème and gold. Likewise the dress she is wearing represents the same theme of
love and romance as it represents and symbolises a wedding dress. This again shows the
love and desire for the unknown character (enigma) within the narrative. The use of makeup
also creates this theme as it is provocative and attracts the attention of anyone looking at it.
This is good because it could encourage people to purchase the product.
The high key lighting and use of increased hue and saturation used to enhance her face also
makes the image look more provocative and makes the narrative stronger. However if the

3. Tom Snaith – A2 Media Studies
image wasn’t edited then this affect wouldn’t be created and the image would look dull.
Finally the text used on the album cover is a simple san serif font which is clear and easy to
read. This sticks with the theme of the album and is also easy on the eye as the cover
doesn’t look overcrowded and have too much going on.