Digipak Design Sketch Draft

Before completing the design for my digipak i first decided to draft out the placement of each image and text on the design. I decided that on the front cover i would have one single image taking up the whole of the cover. I then decided that i would have the band name in the top right of the cover and the album name in the bottom left, however this would be in a larger font to ensure that the audience still see it. I decided that i would have both spine's the same and have the band name and album title along the side, next to each other in the same font used on the front cover. I also decided the keep the back cover quite plane, to ensure the album tracks stand out clearly. I decided the place them along the bottom of the page in a bold font.

Within the inside cover i decided to include a pocket where the booklet (containing song lyrics, thank you's etc.) will go. I also decided to place an image in the middle of the cover. This image, as well as all other images used, will keep with the theme of the album. The second inside cover, i decided, would be similar to the first by having an image in the centre of the cover, however the image will be a different one. The third insde cover will also be the same. I also decided to design a layout for the CD/DVD and the space behind each. I decided that behind the CD i would feature the artist name, however the space behind the DVD will remain blank.

I decided to use the same image on the CD and DVD that i have done on the front of the cover, creating a distinguishable link between the two, however on the DVD the colours will be inverted to ensure the audience know which is which.

Digipack Design/Template

This is a 6 panel digipack, 2 CD template that will be used when planning and producing my own digipack. The design includes a front and back cover, two spines, the left inside cover and two sides for disks that will need to be planned and produced along with the designs for both the CD and DVD included.

Codes and Conventions of Digipaks

When planning the design of my digipack it was important to look into existing products while noting the codes and conventions of what is typically used to produce a realistic digipack. While looking at the existing market i found that typically used throughout successful existing digipacks are things such as

• a variety of images of the band/artist and logo's related to the band/artist. visuals such as instruments and live performances are also frequently used.
• the band/artist name in a recognisable font and style used along the spine as well as the front cover.
• band/artist information included within a booklet. booklet's also usually include song lyrics, set lists if live DVD's are included and information on the type of music the artist produces and audience that the music is aim at.
• digipacks are also usually produced to release special edition's of the CD and DVD included so behind the scene footage and special features are also usually advertised/included within the digipak.

Ancillary Text Analysis #3 (Digipak)

The third album cover I have analysed is 'Brand New - Deja Entendu'. The album cover follows the conventions of pop punk album covers, however contrasts with the conventions of what is stereotypically known for album artwork as there is no image of the band on the cover. The cover follows a 'man on the moon' type image and features a person wearing a spacesuit in the middle of the album cover as the main focus. The person is floating in mid air which connotes surrealism and mystery, and idea and connotation behind the idea of deja vu (this creates a link with the album title) as deja vu's are considered weird and out of the ordinary. A further idea that links with the mystery is the idea that the person featured is wearing a space suit and is therefore not visible, as a person, to the audience; we are unaware as to what the person looks like and also whether they are male or female.

We can not be sure of the specific target audience by just looking at the cover but it can be sure that it will appeal to someone who enjoys things that are out of the ordinary and does not follow the ideas of what is considered normal and popular due to the choice of image and colour shown on the front cover which, by someone who does not enjoy pop punk music, would be considered weird and not appealing. We can also be sure that the album appeals to no specific audience due to the face that there is no gender specified on the cover. As the gender of the person in the space suit is hidden is does not create a divide between males and females and therefore shows that anyone is entitled to listen to and enjoy the album as much as someone else.

The colour scheme that runs throughout the front cover is bright and eye catching, the two colours (green and orange/yellow) contrasting with each other. The colours link with space as the green placed at the bottom of the cover signifies the earth and the ground whereas the orange and yellow colours connote the sun. As the man is placed between the two (floating in mid air) it shows that he is between the two and therefore floating around not sure about what he is doing, another idea linked with the 'deja vu' and surreal concept. The fact that the colours are bright and eyecatching is important as it will catch the audience's eye and immediately attract them to it.

The band name is featured at the top of the cover, in a white font, making it stand out and contrast against the colours of the background. The style of font also makes the album recognisable as a 'Brand New' album as it is used throughout all of their album and single releases. The title of the album is placed under the artist name in a smaller font, however also in white text to ensure that the contrast is still there and making sure that the audience still notice the name of the album. As the album and artist title is placed at the top of the page, and also directly above the main image, it instantly becomes recognisable to the audience, despite the size, as the audience's eye immediately goes up and therefore, it becomes the second, if not first, thing that the audience see.

Ancillary Text Analysis #2 (Digipak)

The album cover for 'Good Charlotte - The Chronicles of Life and Death' is in the style on an old fashion, leather bound book. The colour scheme, royal red, connotes class and wealth, while also giving the idea of mystery with the use of black. Linking with the idea of chronicles and past events and ensuring that the cover and ideology behind it does not give too much away is the idea that the band are not featured on the front cover. This, similarly to the 'New Found Glory' album cover, is not conventional as the audience are not initially aware of the band who's album it is. However, to ensure that the audience are still aware of the artist, the band name has been placed at the top of the cover in a colour that contrasts with the deep red background. The font is also recognisable to the fans and will therefore immediately become distinguishable as a 'Good Charlotte' album cover due to the font used being one used throughout all their album artwork and promotions etc.

The album covers colour scheme is dark red, gold and black which connotes wealth and superiority, giving an idea of elegance, a contrast to what the pop punk genre conventionally sounds like. This links with the ideas of the genre; you shouldn't be so quickly to judge people from the exterior as people are usually different inside in contrast to what they look like. For example, despite the cover using an elegant colour scheme, the music contrasts and becomes more dark. The use of two ghostly figures in the middle of the cover also links with the idea as it is showing that despite the colour scheme connoting high class, there is more to the album and it is most likely to sound dark, while also showing that you should never judge a book by it's cover.

The connotations surrounding the album cover is predominantly to do with contrast. The band name is written in a old English font, in gold, which once again, connotes elegance and wealth while also providing the audience with the font that is constantly used by the band making it a recognisable product. This contrasts with the font of the album name 'The Chronicles of Life and Death' as it is written in a more scripted style, connoting once more the difference of wealth with something more dark and mysterious. This also links with the idea of 'Life and Death' as half the album connotes something superior and alive whereas the other half of the connotations signify death and dying.