Digipak Research

After conducting extensive research on the internet on digipaks the two definitions I felt helped me understand what it was the most are:
- A thick paper (almost cardboard-like) CD package. The paper is a folded one- piece section with the CD resting in a normal plastic tray, like those in jewel cases and this tray is glued to the paper.
- A form of a jewel case which holds one or more CDs/DVDs with the outer cover made of card as opposed to plastic.

I feel quite confident when creating my digipak due to my experience within media and having the skills required in order to make my product successful as well as having a professional approach for the music industry.

I have researched previous digipaks in order to get a better idea of the conventions used within the product which I can then apply to my final product. When analysing a variety of digipaks I found that most of them include:
- A creative image used on the front cover of the digipak but isn't always necessarily an image of the particular artist or the band.
- A consistent theme used throughout the product.
- Band, Song and Record Labels logo,
- Titles - Band, Album and Song name.
- The back cover of the digipak usually presents the track list.
- Barcode as well as price.
- DVD detail: Age certification or "Parental Advisory: Explicit Content" label
- Copyright Protection logos and information (©, ®, ™)
- Pictures: front, back, middle (inside and outside)
- Limited Edition: Exclusive DVD included, bonus tracks or uncut version.
- 4 sided with 2 spines: 2 pictures outside (front/back cover) with possibly two inside the digipak.
- 6 sided with 2 spines: 2 pictures outside (front, middle and back covers) 2 inside with production pictures and possibly a production & artwork booklet

Research of CD album covers
As the front cover of my digipak was the most essential aspect I analysed The Maccabees, You Me At Six, General Fiasco, Two Door Cinema Club and Paramore album covers. The reason is because it links with my music video track research and analysing these particular covers would link with the genre of music I'm focusing on. The Maccabees album covers don't actually have the images of the particular band but the images are very eye catching due to the use of bright colours. Although this would be a good idea to use for my own digipak I'd prefer to take pictures of our actors due to the fact I'd be advertising the band and would want my target audience to be aware of the band members. The album covers for both Two Door Cinema Club and You Me At Six doesn't use the band members on the front of the cover, but instead use intriguing colours and images in order to attract the audience's attention. This is a good technique but I personally think the album covers are quite bland and I would prefer to use pictures. The album cover for General Fiascos is of the back of a young boy's body wearing bunny ears; this image is very random which could link with the characteristics of the band. I feel this is a good way to attract someone purchasing the album as it's different and wouldn't be stereotypical of other album covers. Overall, I feel that a picture of the whole band would be essential on the front of my digipak, the use of bright colours would attract my target audience and most album covers are quite simplistic; I will also take into consideration that I need to add the name of the album on the front cover.

Back cover: Track Research

When creating a back cover for my digipak the most essential thing I need to include is a track list of songs by the band you are focusing on. As I'm already doing a song from The Maccabees I thought it would be ideal to research their songs to apply onto my track list from their album Colour It In. After analysing back covers of many albums I've found that the track list has roughly between 10-20 songs, a barcode, copyright protection logos as well as pictures.

Colour It In
01. Good Old Bill

02. X-Ray
03. All in Your Rows
04. Latchmere
05. About Your Dress
06. Precious Time
07. O.A.V.I.P
08. Tissue Shoulders
09. Happy Faces
10. First Love
11. Mary
12. Lego

13. Toothpaste Kisses