Finished digipak

So I have finally finished my digipak. Overall I really like the design, I especially like how it includes exclusive still shots of the music video, as I feel it adds to the inclusivity of the track 'We fall.'

It conforms to many of the conventions I found whilst researching other Indie bands digipak's, for example using 'paired images' as the front designs was a aspect I found on the Arctic Monkeys 2006 album "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not," I also included a brief description of the record label on the far left page which I found was a element incorporated on almost every digipak.

Digipak in process

To create my digipak I am using the platform Microsoft Word, Originally I was planning on editing using Photoshop, however I found I could do the same job using a software I was more familiar with. So far it has been relatively simple to create. I have made the entire outside skin to my digipak, and almost finished producing the inside skin.

I created more than one prototype to ensure I use the best images for the best position, Also I thought it was a good technique in testing where the titles are best fitted. For example for my front page I was unsure whether to place the artist name and album title on the top left side of the image, or if it looked more professional across Janadhi's face. (however I did make the mistake of writing the song name 'we fall' rather the album title ' the rhythm within us' on one of the practices.)

After some consideration, I realised I much preferred the second type where the title is framed across the middle of the image, covering Janadhi's face. I felt having the font across her face not only draws more attention to her worn out yet determined expression, it always appears much more professional, and aesthetically is much nicer on the eye.

I also played around with what function to use with the pairing image of Janadhi leaning over the bike. Initially I was going to use it for the background of the track list. However I struggled to fit all the tracks into the small space available with the plain background, I then proceeded to look back at the research I had previously carried out and noticed that many track lists were printed on a blank page, with no focal point such as the artist's face. Because of this I decided to trial the track list on a plain brick wall which I was planning on using for my inside skin.

I think this is a much better design for printing the track list as I am able to centralise the text and frame the songs precisely inbewtsween the brick lines. I also edited in a barcode to add to the realism and overall creates a professional touch. 

Digipak inspiration

I have chosen to use the footage of 'We Fall' as the images on my digipak as I feel it would have provided our audience with context as well as placing high significance on the song on the album. 

After browsing through all of our footage I soon noticed how empowering Janadhi's 'work out' in the gym footage looked. 

I originally wanted a few pictures filmed in the same location\position to use on my digipak as it would give the same affect as the Arctic monkey's digipak of being shot in the same sitting. As previously mentioned I like how it gives the audience a feel for the band in a different light, an almost 'behind the scene' perspective. 

This is the selection of footage I have chosen to base my digipak on. Of all the footage we had available these scenes stood out as the most 'moving' as it captures Janadhi pushing past her barriers of being weak and working herself towards what she wants. 

This is my chosen still shot to use as the front of the digipak. I chose to use this particular shot as I feel it will catch the audience's attention as through the simple background  I find her prominent facial expression is the main focus point. 

Digipak template

For my Digipak I have chosen to follow a simple double-sided three square template, as I found that many artists from the indie genre use these designs in order to capture their album themes.

Digipac researching - Genre

After researching some digipaks that were produced by artists that fall in the indie/rock genre it became evident that they share many of the same conventions. Below are just a selection of album covers that I found inspiration from.

The most noticeable feature is the simplicity of the visuals and designs. They rarely include the feature of voyeurism that Andrew Goodwin spoke about but instead feature some sort of icon that links to the artists theme of music. For example Bon Iver's music is especially calming and pacifying, hence the mellow colour palette of oranges and browns. Additionally The Arctic monkeys design holds the trademark of cigarettes and smoking, which is closely linked to the nature of their music and music videos.

 I also particularly like AM's digipak as it includes two images that relate to each other. This is a convention I wish to include in my digipak design as I feel it includes the audience in their 'behind scene' banter.

Digipak analysis

A Digipak is 'a type of packaging for CDs or DVDs, typically made from cardboard with an internal plastic holder for one or more discs.'

CD Digipaks can also give a product an expensive professional look and feel – especially when well designed CD artwork is combined with clever use of specialist print finishing options such as Matt Lamination, Spot UV or Embossing.

Another advantage of using the Digipak is that it can be made from recycled card and producing the pack uses much less plastic, therefore reducing your carbon footprint allowing you to have an exclusive yet eco friendly product.

Gorillaz - Demon Days.

Ed Sheehan - X (Multiply)