Blog post 15 - Digipak analysis

Digipaks typically consist of a gatefold (book-style) paperboard or card-stock outer binding with one or more plastic trays capable of holding a CD or DVD attached to the inside. It means the CD comes in a cardboard flip out case rather than a standard plastic hinged case.

Digipak style casing is often used for CD singles or special editions of CD albums and the tall DVD digipak is used as a premium package for DVDs and DVD sets. On a digipak, you can expect to find;

- Six panels
- Spine
- Barcode
- Track list
- Disk impression
- Membership postcard/flyer

There is also a section where you can find band information or a free flyer or poster that comes in the Digipak.

There are also imperative features that should be included in relation to the information features of a digipak. These regularly include;

- Name of the Artist and Album - it is important to remember that in order to make the information on the digipak appealing to the audience you must consider various factors such as; font, size of the writing, colour and position in relation to the dimensions of the digipak.

- Images - You must consider the size, layout and content of the images you use.

- Colours and themes - this can help the digipak look appealing to consumers and peak their interest in order to aid their desire to purchase the Album.

Analysis

The album by Michael Jackson - 'Dangerous' has a very dynamic and complex front cover. When the audience first perceive the album cover, there is so much to take in that it is almost overwhelming and this effect really engages the audience and grabs their attention. The relationship and interaction between the different colours is effective as they blend together well and do not clash which makes the overall look of the album cover effective and inviting. The audience would identify instantaneously with Michael Jackson's eyes as eye contact is the main factor that connects people together. The fact that we are only witness to his eyes also relates well to the title of the album being dangerous as his eyes create a sense of mystery and mystery and danger quite often link together. This is a tool to invite the audience into the mystery of the album especially as the title of the album is located on top of a gate suggesting the audience should venture into the gate and identify with the content of the album. The animosity created by the different elements of the overall cover provides the consumer and audience with enigmas to answer for themselves. The album cover is very abstract and unique with very different features ranging from throned dogs and birds and many of these different features are juxtaposed to each other and the entire album cover cultivates the idea of randomness and confusion. This can interlink with many problems and accusations that Michael Jackson was facing in the media at that specific time. Overall the album cover is very individual and effective as it intrigues the attention of the audience and develops their curiosity, making them more keen to purchase the album and find out how the music is in comparison to the look of the album cover. 

 

Bastille "Bad Blood" is another album that has a rather unique setting and interesting style. It places emphasis on their lead singer who is highlighted by a light in the centre of the road. The viewer gets the sense that it is an open country road and the dark surroundings of the road entreat a certain danger that the audience register with the rather darkened nature of the cover. This supports the title as there could be something that relates to "Bad Blood" waiting in these unseen areas. The oddity of a man in the middle of a country road suggests that he is in trouble and is running away from something that is following him. There is most definately an intimacy and relationship between the light and the darkened surroundings of the road and is almost suggestive of the idea that bastille is leading the way and is producing the light that surrounds him. Overall, the album cover is intruging and although not as outstanding as Michael Jackson's and other iconic artists, it relates well to the title of the album and invites the audience to watch.

Katy Perry

 

Hot and Cold

 

This album cover from Katy Perry is relatively basic and has both Denotations and connotations. There are connotations that relate to Katy Perry's personal life within the media possibly where she places one hand on her ear and in the other she has a banana held up to her other ear suggesting she is blocking out the media and listening to an inanimate object. The fact that what she is holding is a banana is phallic and suggests that one of her issues within the media are being accused of sexually depicting herself and allowing herself to be sexually objectified by the media. Katy is showing herself to be almost rebellious through this picture and is not worried or focused on the negative portrayal of herself. The large font used for her title hot and cold is impacting and the connotation of the title suggests that everyone has their ups and downs and this should not affect what people think of Katy.

 

This is another KP album cover and is different and contrasted to her previous one. The use of computer technology is more relevant and involved within the picture and Katy is sexualised to some extent through this image. The intimacy between the cloud and stars coupled with the purple backdrop of the image is inviting and easy on the eye and causes the audience to be instantaneously intruged and interested in what the album is to be about. The text on the album cover has resigned and is smaller with a less bolder font and is located right at the bottom and right at the top of the album cover. This places less emphasisi on the text and focuses the audiences attention on Katy Perry. Katy appears to be enimating light from her person and the relationship between her purple dress and the purple backdrop allows the album cover to blend and not clash making it unappealing for the audience to watch. Katy is sexualised where she can be seen in a short dress exposing much of the flesh on her legs and her up body. She has one hand firmly planted on her breast and the other on the side of her face in a sexual manner, this is sexual and inviting for a male audience. Furthermore, this conforms to the theory of Mulvey where she developed the theory of the male gaze and the sexual objectification of women. Overall, the album cover is effective and intriguing as the audience are forced to identify with all the outstanding features of the image.