Planning Digipak- Miss Miller

A digipak is presented in the style of a book, with paperboard/cardboard outer binding including one or more plastic trays for the CD. This style became popular in the 2000s and is often used for special edition albums. A jewel CD case is the original disc case, that consists of three pieces of plastic and includes a plastic tray for the CD. Most of the detail is on the cover and the back, with song titles listed. Below is a listed comparison of both types. 

A digipak provides the fans with more information from the artist, for example a personal fan message which overall enhances the fan/artist bond, which is another positive factor. Digipaks are also unique and more attractive as there are featured bonus tracks and the use of higher quality images.

A jewel CD case is argued to be more traditional and durable because of the plastic sides. Due to this, a CD is quicker and easier to make and is cheaper to buy in stores. This type of casing is also easier to store and the booklets won't bend inside. Lastly, CDs are a better option for new fans testing the music.

Within this post I will be planning a digipak for my own artist as different positive listed above cause the audience to bond with the artist and make them get excited for the new album.

Firstly, I have used elements listed down below to promote the artist, highlight the indie genre and cause the artist to build a relationship with the audience. All of the elements listed appeal to the target audience as they express parts of the artist's life for especially the note to fans and the different layouts used for example, the use of a notebook to write fan acknowledgements and song titles, which creates a vintage theme and makes the digipak more personal from the artist, promoting her in a positive way as it creates the idea that her fans and music are her main priority. Fundamentally, this digipak converts to the indie genre with the use of all elements for example, the use of images, this is to keep fans interested and cause members of the public that enjoy this genre to purchase the album.

To begin, the artist is portrayed as confident due to her posture and facial expressions within all of the pictures, although the smoking is questionable, it shows that she in charge and independent and also adds to her vintage, 1950s vibe. Linking to this, the artist seems fierce and independent as she is the only person in every picture and on the cover through a close up, showing her importance and to promote her further. Her look is also natural with 50s makeup, worn previously by famous models and actresses such as Audrey Hepburn, and big, back combed hair for a vintage look, to bring back elements of an earlier time which makes her seem cool and unique. Lastly, in the front cover she wears flowers in her hair and looks quite natural which is conventional of the indie genre and appeals to an artist. 

The colours within this digipak are used to create a meaning and represent the artist. The colour red is used for example, on her lips, album title and hearts on the cd to exploit the idea of love and passion, which intrigues an audience as the artist presents themes from her own life. The digipak also features white colours which is pure and naturalistic which converts to the indie genre and isn't distracting and doesn't deduct the artist's natural beauty which makes her relatable. Lastly, the artist wears a purple skirt within one of the pictures which connotes power and royalty, which shows her independence which causes her to become a natural leader, and a suitable role model for her audience.

The layout and design of the overall digipak is quite simplistic. The white background on the front cover makes the artist the main focus, showing her importance and promotes the album to the audience and the close up makes the cover more memorable as it stands out on shelves. One of the other pictures features a long shot of the artist in the forest, which highlights the theme of nature which relates to the indie genre because of naturalistic aspects and purity and is simple which is relatable overall however, the smoking image makes her more rebellious and cool, making her questionable and unique yet converts to the indie genre and artists within this genre usually uphold this habit.

The artist's name is black and bold making this digipak more noticeable and the artist's name stands out, highlighting her importance and promoting the album and herself further. Also, most of the text is typed in a type writer style which adds to her vintage look, and makes the text/language and layout look old which is conventional to the indie genre and shows the artist's intellectual side and also makes the digipak more personal for the fans. Linking to this, the bottom of her fan message is signed which makes the message more personal and causes her to become appreciated/idolised .

Fundamentally, there are many different connotations that can be made within this digipak. The cd features red drawn hearts and human hearts which is made to stand out further on a white background. This is unique (conventional to the indie genre) yet strange, and reflects the message of love within life and personally within humans and how love can effect human hearts, and is an overall unique element on the album. The notebook back and the book featuring the artist's message shows the artist's creative nature and message to fans, showing that she works hard and is also intelligent which will gain respect from the audience and create a bond.

Overall, this planning is useful for taking pictures as taking photos on set with be quicker and easier and go successfully due to structured planning. I also believe that the elements that I have added within these drafts will cause the audience to bond with the artist, as I will be adding segments such as 'note to fans' to fans as the fans will appreciate this factor as a bond will be created between the fans and artist. Also, I will be creating a different artist name than the original artist, this will be different on my final digipak as this is just a plan.This will also help me when using Photoshop to create this as I will have my own plan to follow which will make the Photoshop experience easier and less stressful. Lastly, I am more aware of pictures to take for the digipak to conform to the indie genre and to successfully represent my artist.