Digipaks Research

By James Powell
Stereophonics-You gotta go there to come
back
The colours used on the cover are very simple using Black,
White and Red. Furthermore the picture used does not
present an image of the band instead a black and white
image of a young boy and male adult. The picture also fits
the colour scheme using a black and white image, this image
possibly connotes the social realistic attitude that many indie
bands try to represent/ present .
The CD also fits the colour scheme using
a red image/logo with black and white
text. The design is very graphic and eye
catching and features a full track listing
with track duration information. The
graphic and eye catching design relates
to the originality side of indie bands to
create something new and unique.
The back cover reflects the front using
another image of the boy and the pint
further enforcing the presentation of
social realism and general public of
Britain. Furthermore the track-listings
also follow the format of the cover with
the tracks in red text and the additional
information in black text.
The sleeve is designed almost like a notebook. The
print makes the paper seem worn and old, in
addition the producers have printed hand written
notes onto the paper. This style adds to the
realistic attitude of the digipak whilst furthermore
making the item in general feel more personal and
connect with their audience more.
The realistic connotations of the design is further
enforced using printed pictures that have been
designed to look like Polaroid's adding a real and
authentic feel to the sleeve.
The Smiths-The Best of Volume 1
The front cover features a black and
white image of one half of a biker
couple in the 1960s. In the image the
woman is smoking and drinking. The
choice of featuring alcohol and
cigarettes, like the last album, reflects
the normal social lives of everyday
people to represent and
communicate their attitudes and
indie style.
The CD design follows a
different format of design to the
rest of the digipak using a black
background with silver and grey
text listing tracks and duration.
However it stays consistent to
the covers minimalistic and
simple design.
The back of the album reflects the
colour scheme and format of the
front cover. The track listing is the
same text but in black and the
background is a group of people in a
cafe. This further connotes the social
lives but also the idea that the band
represent normal peoples lives and
interaction through their music and
image.
The sleeve for this album is far less involved
than the previous album. It remains consistent
with the format and colour scheme
alternating the main background colour
between the white and pink.
The colours used are simple and minimalistic
but also an unusual combination for an album
cover connoting the originality and
individuality of the indie genre. Finally the use
of stereotypically feminine colours to represent
the male group and also the use of a woman on
the cover further supports this idea of new and
original content to symbolise the independent
music.
Oasis-(Whats the story) Morning Glory?
The cover depicts two men walking down Berwick
Street in London. The logo of the band is featured in
the bottom right of the cover with the title running
across the top. Both parts of the title are simple and
plain. This communicates the bands raw style and
sound, the cover further communicates the idea
that the band were of the people. Meaning that
they were not musically or personal influenced by
fame. Furthermore the cover features London
communicating the industrial and social influence of
the band and their music.
These images of the band show them in both
industrial areas, hotel rooms and arenas. The
choice of industrial areas shows the social
realism similar to the other albums. However
the use arenas communicate the bands
success and history.
The back cover of the album
further supports the idea of
the normality and public
representation of the band
almost reflecting the cover.
Moreover the text also
reflects the front cover using
the plain white design.
The actual CD for album features
the same plain text and logo used
consistently throughout the album.
However the colour scheme
changes for the CD as it uses a solid
mustard colour throughout the
design like The Smiths CD
The sleeve features mostly images of the
band, however on the first page there is a
track listing and short description of the
band. Like the last CD the design is plain
and simple using only two colours and
without any complicated features of
design. Further communicating the simple
sound and real image of the band.
Arctic Monkeys-AM
The cover for AM is extremely simple and
minimalistic yet also very graphic and impactful.
It shows the bands recent stylised, graphic style
both musically and lyrically. Like the other
albums the
band do not appear on the cover at all.
The inside cover of the CD
shows the band in a black
and white graphic image .
The sharp and clear cut
image further enforces the
idea of the band having
developed a more
laboured and considerate
style of music through the
use of graphic imagery.
The back cover shows
the same graphic logo
being linked through
the line in the middle.
Furthermore the back
cover features the
image of the bands
logo further
communicating more
detail after the
intrigue of the cover.
The sleeve like the previous two
is very plain. In this sleeve the
only lists are the tracks and their
lyrical content. The consistent use
of the colour scheme also add to
the overall basic yet stylised look
of the digipak.
The CD like the cover shows the
same graphic logo/symbol. The
choice of presenting just a
sound wave on the cover and
CD connotes that this style of
music will be more stripped
back and pure but done to in a
very stylised and designed way.
Conclusion
In conclusion I have learnt that most indie bands use a simplistic but graphic
design to communicate the social realism that the genre is known to either
present or represent within their music but also because they have to be intriguing
and interesting. Furthermore the use of colour scheme and general format of the
digipak remains consistent throughout not only the covers but also the sleeve
packets, however the CD generally contains the basic logos or symbols however
wont have the more stylised look and will generally use a solid colour in place of
this. Moreover the colour scheme used is generally consistent and refined to a
small but effective palette. Finally from these covers the band will not appear on
the cover to represent the music, instead a photo or symbol is used to represent a
style or political/social message that is associated within the music.