BY JAC K H A R D I N G

DIGIPAKS

WHAT IS A DIGIPAK?

A Digipaks consists of a leaflet style paper or card binding. A plastic tray is used to hold the card or paper and contains a CD inside with a pressure activated to allow its release. Digipak’s style of packaging is mostly used for special singles and albums to create a product which is more desirable to help increase sales. Artwork on the Digipaks cover is important as this is seen before the music is listened to.

It should relate to the Genre, Album and Artist and provided the visual connection between the artist and the music. The front of a Digipak is abstract and has images relating to the Genre, Album and Artist in a certain form. The back includes information of the tracks included and also the order making it easier to find a certain track and also to show what is actually included.

USE

The digipak also helps sell an album as a good one will intrigue people to look and pick up the album. The digipak conventionally fits in with the current theme of the artist and will link in with adverts for the artist and often their live performances. CD Digipaks were first used to help sales for limited edition or specialist CD products. But, efficiency in CD production, packaging and also printing techniques has now enabled a sleeker looking CD case which is now available at much lower quantities and at much lower prices.

ISSUES

Due to the increasing use of digital streaming and downloading the demand for digipaks is falling. This is because digital downloads only show the front of an album which leaves the rest redundant. Illegal downloads also stop the sales of digipaks because a track is not purchased at all. This stops any purchase of a digipak. Social music sites such as YouTube, sound cloud and spofity also stop the sales of Digipaks because it is a digital form of music and not able to be bought in a shop.

ANALYSIS OF A DIGIPAK - GOOD

ANALYSIS OF A DIGIPAK - GOOD

This shows the artist to be present to help enforce the brand image. On more than one occasion this is true so shows this importance.

Vibrant colours help to stimulate and keep the audience interested.

The complex design helps to show visual aspects for the group in a positive way. A fan will be intoxicated by the contemporary design. The use of red can be seen in a loving and sexual way which is the focus around most of Rihanna’s songs.

Rihanna's album "Loud".

Rihanna's red lipstick helps to enhance her glamorous appearance. The use of the close up puts all the focus onto the artist. The fact that the text is subtle and light shows it Is not taking away any attention. Above that is Rihanna lying on a bed of roses (voyeurism continues) this is another cliche of flowers appealing to Rihanna's predominantly female target market. Likewise the use of the flower on the disk continues this

ANALYSIS OF A DIGIPAK - BAD

ANALYSIS OF A DIGIPAK - BAD

This is a very plain design for a digipak with a lack of colours used to excite the audience and market.

It has no images of the band or band members which does no help the brand image and promotion of the band itself.

There are no images to convey the genre that the band follows.

The size of the digipak is not as large as the other analysed digipak. Fewer covers make it plain and boring, a digipak should be used to attract the audience, to use the design and structure of the digipak to add a sophisticated look and need for the audience to look at more.

It is only one colour which does not excite the audience.