TEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF DIGIPACKS

BY EMMA WEEKS

GERARD WAY: HESITANT ALIEN

ABOUT THE ARTIST

• Name: Gerard Way.

• Record Label: Reprise records (owned by Warner Bros records).

• Genre: Alt roc/self proclaimed Brit Pop.

• Number of albums: 1.

• Album Trivia: Way created a mascot Lola to feature in the album promo.

COVER AND REVERSE

Digipack Cover Digipack Reverse

The cover if the digipack features the artist Gerard Way with his name and the title of the album in the top corners of the cover. The reverse of the digipack features an the songs on the album the artists record label and an image which ties into the rest

of the digipack design.

CENTRE FOLD

The digipacks centre fold features an image of Gerard Way on the left side with a blue background and Lola the mascot for the album on the right side with an orange background. An interesting element of contrast is created between both sides of the digipack through the use of complimentary colours this will help the draw the viewer to the imagery and may make them interested in listening to the music on the album.

CD SLEEVE AND CD

CD Sleeve CD

The CD sleeve is found in the right flap of the digipack with the CD fitting between two folds of cardboard which makeup the reverse and right flap of the digipack. The CD can be removed from either side of the right flap as the sleeve has no joining on

either the right or left side. The CD is bright red which matches the artists hair in this period and features the albums track list as well as the artist and record companies

label.

EXTRAS SLEEVE AND EXTRAS

Extras sleeve Poster Lyrics

All extras for the digipack can be found in the left hand sleeve of the digipack in the hollow section between the cover and left flap of the digipack. Extras for the digipack included a lyric sheet for all songs included in the digipack as

well as an A4 poster of the artist in a Lola costume with the albums logo overlaid beside him.

SUMMARY

• This digipack made use of bright colours in order to draw the buyer in and make them interested in listening to the album.

• A free poster was also featured as added incentive to buy the digipack opposed to downloading the album online or streaming it.

• The colours used throughout the album match the tone of the music as being loud and energetic and also correspond of the singers style choice which took inspiration from “Glam Rock” greats such as David Bowie.

• The target audience for this digipack would likely be 15-25 this is evident from the style of music as well as the style of the digipack.

ARCTIC MONKEYS: AM

ABOUT THE ARTIST

• Name: Arctic Monkeys.

• Record label: EMI, Domino Recording Company and Warner Bros. Records.

• Genre: Indie rock.

• Number of albums: 5.

COVER AND REVERSE

Cover Reverse

The album cover features the logo for the bands album. The reverse features the band name as well as a track list and the bands record labels logo. A monotone colour scheme is used throughout in order

to create a simplistic yet striking appearance.

CENTRE FOLD

The left side of the centre fold is black whilst the right hand side of the album cover features an image of the band shot using low-key lighting techniques and transformed into a black and white image allowing the

image to blend into the the rest of the monotone digipack.

CD SLEEVE AND CD

CD sleeve CD

The CD sleeve consists of the pocket between the right flap and the reverse of the digipack with a separate CD cover placed inside to

prevent the CD from slipping out the other end o the digipack. The monotone colour scheme is continued throughout the design with the

CD featuring solely the album logo in the same style as the album cover.

EXTRAS SLEEVE AND EXTRAS

Extras sleeve Lyric booklet cover First spread of lyric booklet

The lyric booklet was located in the pocket between the left fold of the digipack and the digipack cover. The lyrics were bound in a typical booklet

format with the bands name on the cover and the album name in small font at the bottom centre of the cover. There is no illustration in the lyric booklet and

the monotone colour scheme is carried out throughout.

SUMMARY

• A monotone colour scheme was used throughout the digipack along with minimalist illustration in order to create an eye-catching digipack.

• The minimalistic design approach will appeal to the bands older followers as well as it’s newer fans with the bands main demographic being between 15-35.