Analysis Of 3 CD Digipak
- 1. Analysis Of Three CD Digipaks BY FRANK PARNELL
- 2. Digipack 1: Eminem: Curtain Call: The Hits (2005) The cover of Eminem’s Album Curtain Call has connotations of the life of showbiz that Eminem lives by. It does not show Eminem's face on the cover but instead has his name to make his album determinable. The actual title itself , ‘Curtain Call’, also adds to this theme of show business and Is highlighted through the image used. The Image is clearly a stage and some curtains with the figure about to bow. Thus, it amplifies the title directly as a visual representation. This cover Is not something I could see myself working with as it has connotations of success which I am trying to avoid as my artist is fairly new on the scene in the Hip-Hop genre. The roses used in the cover image indicate success and adoration from the fans of the performer on stage (who people could take a guess as being Eminem). This is a clever devise used in design as it indicates a motif of the roses which can be easily coordinated to with the green of the title and the blue of the curtains including the red of the roses, this is an inclusion and combination of simply very generic colours for the album which ultimately work together. The motif of roses and the image itself which is used on the cover is extended from new angles to both the CD itself and the back of the CD. The Roses are captured on the back of the back of the CD from a new angle to link the concept together neatly and they are also linked in through the black and white filtered photo of the roses which is used on the CD. The Green theme is used in some of the key sections of writing on the back of the CD and the CD itself; this is an element I would like to apply to my work or at least try it out as I think it would be a nice idea to be able to allow the fans to establish a colour to my artist or the particular genre. The structure of the writing is a neat format I believe would suit nicely with my genre and with my artist’s running order. It also does just generally appeal to me because of its simplicity. It is definitely another convention I am willing to use. The overall inclusion of the roses as a motif is impressive and for it all to interlink with the idea of production and a stage setting/ scenario impresses me even more However I do not believe I would be able to achieve a concept to such a quality, nor do I believe it would suit my artist and the type of album I am hoping to produce.
- 3. Digipack 2: Biffy Clyro: Opposites (2013) This album comes from Biffy Clyro’s 2013 album Opposites, the artist is from the alternative rock genre which justifies the abstract design of the album’s digipak. The main focus of the album appears to be nature, wildlife and tree life, this is demonstrated on with the inclusion of a tree on very panel of the design. The design for the cover is very abstract works for the genre that this music album represents, the impressionistic nature of the design is simplistic but still stylistic and works with the nature of the album genre. The official meaning for the lone tree image as said by the leader of the band "I loved the original image of the tree, and I got thinking about how strong the roots must be, and how strong my band is”. The back image of the album links to the style of the discs, a lone tree stood straight is the polar opposite of the front image with the image of the deformed tree. This makes the album have more of a striking imagery for audiences to appreciate. The continuity of the design of the discs when compared to the back image also serves as an aesthetic that follows though to different aspects of my design. The varying color of the discs also adds to the appeal of the album as it varies it’s appearance firstly to be a more creative design and secondly to individualize the different tracks. The back plate follows a popular design for the track listing of it mirroring itself between halves. And follows the aesthetic features of the tree but have changed to a low angle shot, almost a POV shot, looking up at the tree. The record label and relevant legal information is also included, authentically positioned around the barcode. The back is neat and positioned in a way that is seen in multiple different music albums. This album design also includes an album leaflet (top left), this is seen in many different albums and is likely to include lyrics of the songs, probably alternative artwork for the album design and information about these songs, artists and the album as a whole.
- 4. Digipack 3: MIKA: The Boy Who Knew Too Much (2009) MIKA’s album works to singer, songwriter Mika’s chosen genre of Glam Rock and New Wave music, but developing the sound of the 1970’s in the UK. His cover fits the chosen genre with its bright, outrageous colours and “crowded” design. New Wave incorporated and created disco, mood and eclectic music styles as one solo genre, this I believe is a strong inspiration and reason for this styling and I think it works to its favour. The disc is out there, it’s unique and different with a stranger design than most CD discs, this displays a close, drawn face image of some kind of alien, this acts also to the alternativity of Mika’s design ideas. The back image is less in colour with it mainly consisting of darks and whites to resemble the night sky, this still doesn’t take away from the over the top visuals however with planets being seen to display a outer space feel to the album as a whole. The text on the back however has kept to the yellow writing making it aesthetically pleasing for audiences to read.