A2 MEDIA STUDIES
G324
Advanced Portfolio
Candidate Number: 9217
Digipak Analysis
What is a Digipak?
A digipak is a holder typically made for cds & dvds. Digipaks are very popular as they help advertise the artist.
Gabrielle Aplin - English Rain
20/11/15
The front cover for Gabrielle Aplin’s album cover shows the artist, Gabrielle, running on what appears to be a beach. A long shot is used to show her full body. From this shot the audience can see that she is wearing a sundress. This outfit contrasts with the setting choice as low key lighting has been used to create a dull and miserable appearance to the beach scene. However by choosing to dress Gabrielle in a sundress it connotes positivity and shows her outtake on life perhaps. This could also be shown through the multi coloured umbrella that the artist is holding above her head. The different colours on the umbrella contrast with the dull background which could connote happiness verse sadness, which may represent the artists music type. The typography for the front of the album cover shows the artists name positioned in the centre at the top of the cover in a bold sans serif font showing the importance of the artists name and allowing it to stand out for it to become recognisable to the audience. Positioned below the artists name is the album name ‘English Rain’. A smaller serif text has been used. The size difference represents that although the album name is important ultimately the need for the artists name to be recognisable is higher. Within the Digipak the cd shows continuity with the umbrella on the front cover of the album. The Cd shows multi colours in the shape of an umbrella. The colours connote positivity and the continuity between the digipak shows professionalism and creates an image for the artist. On the back of the digipak, once again a dull beach setting is used. The low key lighting creates a dull atmosphere which could connote loneliness. The names of the songs that are on the album are positioned in the centre of the back cover in a column. The size of the text are small in a serif font, which could suggest class.
Lana Del Rey - Born to die
Selena Gomez -
Kiss and Tell
Selena Gomez -
Kiss and Tell
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Leona Lewis -
Spirit
The front cover for Gabrielle Aplin’s album cover shows the artist, Gabrielle, running on what appears to be a beach. A long shot is used to show her full body. From this shot the audience can see that she is wearing a sundress. This outfit contrasts with the setting choice as low key lighting has been used to create a dull and miserable appearance to the beach scene. However by choosing to dress Gabrielle in a sundress it connotes positivity and shows her outtake on life perhaps. This could also be shown through the multi coloured umbrella that the artist is holding above her head. The different colours on the umbrella contrast with the dull background which could connote happiness verse sadness, which may represent the artists music type. The typography for the front of the album cover shows the artists name positioned in the centre at the top of the cover in a bold sans serif font showing the importance of the artists name and allowing it to stand out for it to become recognisable to the audience. Positioned below the artists name is the album name ‘English Rain’. A smaller serif text has been used. The size difference represents that although the album name is important ultimately the need for the artists name to be recognisable is higher. Within the Digipak the cd shows continuity with the umbrella on the front cover of the album. The Cd shows multi colours in the shape of an umbrella. The colours connote positivity and the continuity between the digipak shows professionalism and creates an image for the artist. On the back of the digipak, once again a dull beach setting is used. The low key lighting creates a dull atmosphere which could connote loneliness. The names of the songs that are on the album are positioned in the centre of the back cover in a column. The size of the text are small in a serif font, which could suggest class.
The front cover for Leona Lewis' album spirit uses a close up picture of the artists face. The close up also uses direct address which allows the artist to connect to the audience. NVC of the artists facial expression shows her looking serious. This could connote the professionalism of the album and that the music has a serious message. High key lighting has been used on Leona's face to alow her to capture the audiences attention. Typography is used at the top and bottom of the digipak. Positioned at the top is the artists name, her name is in large capitalised letters in a white font. This is something i have found quite common in digipaks as it allows the artists name to be the first thing the audience sees which allows for the audience to be fully aware of the artist and be able to recognise their brand identity. The cd within the digipak uses a black background and has the artists name and albu, name positioned towards the top. On the right side of the cd the nmes of the songs are listed in a smal white font. This is different to other digipaks i have analysed as typically the songs are just placed on the back cover of the digipak. However the white typography on the black background allows for a classy and professional look to the cd, showing the artist as well established and could also connote her music style. The back cover of the digipak is similar to the cd in that a black background has been used with the artists name and album name positioned at the top, followed by the tracks on the album positioned below in the centre. To the sides of the back cover are white flowers. The white flowers connote nature however by using black and white the flowers are shown to connote the goodness as they are in white in contrast to the darker side of the album where low key lghting has been used. Connoting the difference between darkness and light which could link with the name of the album 'Spirit'.
Nicki Minaj -
Roman reloaded
Although Nicki Minaj's album Roman Reloaded is within the pop genre and not indie-pop in what my group plans to do, by analysising her digipak i will be able to tell the differences between the two genres. The front cover of Nicki's album useds a close up of the performers face. She is looking directly at the camera allowing direct address to draw in the audience. The background shows bright pink and oranges colours that appear like splattered paint. The bright colours represent the performers youth and show her to have one of Dyer's star criteria, which is to be youthful. The typography is positioned below the close up of the artist, this allows the line of vision to firstly show the performer and then the name of the performer and album name. This shows the order of importance and allows the audience to become familiar with the artists image first. The writting is in a multi coloured and then pink font, the style of writting differs from blocked letters of the performers name, to show professionalism, and bold colourful fonts to display the artists album. This font style allows the album to represented as fun and enjoyable. The left insert within the album shows a mid shot of the performer sat on the floor surrounded and covered in paint. The use of the paint connotes fun, a typical genre convention of Pop music. The mid shot of the performer shows her breasts, this once again represents dyers star criteria theory. Therefore the performer has sexual magnetism. The cd shows continuity with the rest of the album as the back cover is covered in splattered paint. The cd has a light shade of pink covering it allowing cotinuity with the typography used on the front album cover. The back cover of the album uses a close up of the performer once again covered in paint, the close up shows direct address which allows for the audience to feel connected to the performer. Below the close up the tracks on the album are written in small pink font. By using a pink font the text shows continuity with the rest of the album. From this digipak i have established the differences between the pop genre, in which typically brighter colours and typically sexual magnetism is used, compared to the indie pop genre where typically more subtle events are used with low key lighting to creat a more tense and intriging appearance.
21/11/15
23/11/15
26/11/15
28/11/15
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Arctic Monkeys -
AM
5/12/15
The 1975
7/12/15
The 1975
The Weeknd -
Trilogy
8/12/15
12/12/15
Tom Odell -
Long way down
The front cover for Tom Odell's album conveys the genre conventions of the inide pop genre as an urban setting outide has been used. Typically outdoor settings are used for indie music therefore this album cover is representing the genre. A mid shot shows the artist Tom looking directly at the camera with his hands in his pockets. The direct address allows a personal relationship to be formed with the audience as they will feel connected to the performer. The artists body language appears quite casual, this is inviting to the audience as they will feel comfortable with the album cover. High key lighting is used which connotes positivity and once again is welcoming. The typography positioned at the top of the album cover shows black and white writing. The artists name is in black and the album name is in white. This contrast typically connotes the contrast between good and bad (Binary Opposites). The cd covers carries on with this theme as it is in black and white with the record label positioned at the top of the CD. Below this the artists name and the album name is in the same font style as the front cover showing continuity between the album. The back of the album once again shows the indie pop genre by the setting used. A brick wall with slight graffiti is shown through a long shot of the artist walking out of the shot. The wall connotes the urban setting and the artist walking out of the shot suggests moving forward which could connote the meaning behind his music. Positioned on the right of the back cover show the tracks of the album. They are in the same font style and colour as the album name on the front cover, showing continuity throughout allowing the album to look professional and present the artist as well established.
Florence & the machine - Lungs
12/12/15
