media

1. Toyin Giwa Media Studies
CD Digipack ~Rihanna
The genre of this album is easy to tell
because of what the artist is known for.
However if a different audience, who is
unfamiliar of Rihanna’s music, came across
this digipak for the first time they could
associate it with classical music, due to the
overall soft feeling of the album. Although
analysing Rihanna’s hair and make-up
reflect a bright quality raising an R&B/ Pop
vibe to the digipak.
In the time of this album’s release,
Rihanna’s star image was focused around
her bold feisty hair. When Rihanna adopted
this look it was seen at outrageous and
quirky, matching her personality, this is the
first time on her album covers of digipak
her hair is shown off to this extent, this shows that her music may be impacted
by this new change of image. The CD’s have a graphic image of a light pink
rose on them. This connotes tot eh theme of the digipak and shows a soft
feminine feel. The colour of these roses contrast against the ones that
Rihanna is laying on, to show off variety; as well as the roses signify
friendship, showing a balance in the themes of the album.
In all images of the artist
she has her eyes closed
which is unusual for a
digipak, artists are
usually engaging in
direct contact with what
would be the audience.
Rihanna’s eyes are
pictured closed, this
could be connoted as her
embracing and feeling
the music on her album;
a sense of passion is felt
and symbolised through the red and the roses, this could be passion for her
music or trying to tell her fans what is involved in her songs on this album.

2. Toyin Giwa Media Studies
On this ‘LOUD’ digipak, there’s no text as the ‘image speaks for itself’. The
director along with Rihanna’s help had evoked so much effort into the mise en
scene and her facial expressions, the text isnt needed to explain what is going
on. The red colouring of the red roses contrasts well against the artist’s dark
skin completion in the large image and also dramatizes the whole scene,
making it appear bolder. Rihanna is able to stand out from the busy
background due to
her bright hair and
light coloured dress.
The dress that
Rihanna is pictured
wearing connotes
the theme of purity,
giving Rihanna a
sense of innocence.
The image is eye-
catching which is the
main idea of the
digipak, for this
digipak in particularly
though because it
included as ex
appeal which was
achieved without
having to wear small tight outfits. Rihanna is also able to show her inner
beauty this way, making her likeable to her audience as a whole, on top of
being less threatening to her female audience. The intensity of these images
can all be linked back to the themes of love and lust; however the red also
connote an understanding sense of danger, this is what will be revealed in the
album therefore increasing her fans to anticipate for the album’s release.
The image and colours used on the CD
cover imply that Rihanna is either in
love or hurt. She is facing downwards
and not directly addressing her
audience, suggesting that she is hurt or
upset and doesn’t want to show that
she is. However, the red and cream
colours of her lips, hair,dress and roses
portay love and happines and so her
facial expression could also denote
love and her facial expresson is
actually of relaxtion rather than pain.
The edit of the photographer creates a
soft effect which also suggests
happiness and relaxation. The
confusion between the idea that she is in a happy or broken relationship
generates a narrative enigma as we aren’t sure what she is feeling and we
are therefore left to wonder and create scenarios of what she could be going
through.

3. Toyin Giwa Media Studies
A narrative is played through this digipak. In the large image of the artist her
body language and facial expression suggest a sense of worry or anger in
some way, through the frowned forehead and stretched out body, she looks
distressed. The overall theme of the digipak appeared to be love/lust, with this
known Rihanna’s fans may connote a story behind it, such as a relationship
she is in or frustrated about not being able to be in a steady relationship. This
is a massive contrast with the title of the album ‘LOUD’, she is showing her
annoyance through facial expressions rather than speaking out. The audience
are able to relate to her feelings s they may have goes through the same
situation, making them feel a part of the album and reliable to the artists.