Digipack Textual Analysis

Digipack Textual Analysis[Front/Back cover & Inner panes]

Arctic Monkeys AMFront CoverInner Panes + CDBack Cover

The front cover appears to be rather subdued in appearance due to the formal and sleek range of colours used (black background and white sound waves). However the use of this rather minimalistic colour scheme has been used effectively in the past within the genre by fellow musicians AC/DCs Back in Black. The background may have been used in order to portray the depth of the unknown, which symbolises the Arctic Monkeys new, darker musical tone. The stereophonic white sound waves have potentially been used in order to reflect that the artist feel that their music has reached perfection, and that they have left the dark patch of their careers behind them. White could also be seen as suggesting a successful new beginning. The black and white contrast, along with the sound wave could be seen as an illusion.

The front cover is somewhat unconventional in its own right in various ways. However the general layout is rather generic albeit its simplistic approach. The Arctic Monkeys logo is located in the upper left corner of the cover. The logo is an important asset in this scenario as it was will be used to differentiate this cover from others, as there are no band pictures or familiarities/traits that could be used to help potential listeners identify the artist. At bottom right corner there is Parental Advisory Explicit Content sticker which is standard on all music that contains any explicit content in order to inform parents, that this product may not be suitable for children. Nonetheless the sound wave which effectively along with logo, are well situated respectively on the cover to enhance the sense of simplicity and minimalism. The Arctic Monkey's logo created for their album AM is the only piece of text/typography that is shown on the front cover. The logo seems to be relatively based on a font similar to 'Arial Black'. This particular font seems to engage an impression of energy and sleekness; this combined with the artists music creates a well complied final product. However although the logo is effective, it is relatively small in comparison to the rest of the contents on the front cover. Nonetheless as the front cover is rather basic, the logo, albeit its small frame still manages to grab the viewers attention. Furthermore, a band as successful as the Arctic Monkeys does not need to bold and exaggerated in this respect, as they are one of largest artists in the genre and have consequently acquired a worldwide fan base that will be able to distinguish their content from others, no matter how unconventional the product design is.

The main artwork for the album was deduced from the Arctic Monkeys hit song Do I Wanna Know? a song which features in the album. The Arctic Monkeys may have decided to use this innocuous cover as they hope that they success of Do I Wanna Know? may be reflected by the sales of whole album.

On the right inner pane we are given slightly canted - mid shot of the band in close proximity which of whom are tiered respectfully in the foreground of a black backdrop which has been symbolic throughout the Digipack. This shot of the band is shot at a very slender high angle, which makes the viewer feel in control. However one may suggest that this is what the artist intended by the manner in which they are imposing themselves could imply that the band are waiting intensely for the viewers judgement on the album. This is supported by the band members dour facial expression and body language (crossed arms/arms by side) which connotes their stern expectations.The artwork on the CD emulates the design shown on the front cover, this develops the sense of minimalism that the viewers obtains from the front cover. This may suggest that the artist believe that the music they have created on the CD is purely well balanced and good music as the only design on the CD is the sound wave. Furthermore, some viewers may see the sound wave as an illusion (Shaped as a pair of glasses) which is defined as an 'impression or a misinterpreted perception of a sensory experience', this may suggest that artist want the audience to create an impression on them solely for their music, and not for how they are perceived through the tainted eyes of the media.

The underside of the left inner pane in plain black, which allows the Digipack to maintain the professional and classy look. This so that the artist can allow the audience to fully concentrate on their music, rather than being lured by the artificial design on the Digipack.

Within both of the inner panes, there is not text/typography, this shows relative signs of similarity between the front cover as very little text was used, bar the logo. This suggest continuity & order.

The artists are illumined by the use of low key lighting, this consequently creates a rather dramatic and tense mood. The lighting also makes the band members stand out from the black backdrop which connotes that this album is all about them.The band members are all wearing the same outfit - White shirt, Black tie. This connotes there unity as they are all apparently equal. This may also suggest the formality of their music, as the dress code is usually stereotyped with formal events e.g. meetings, interviews etc. The colour scheme of their outfit also measures up the general colours used throughout the album, this gives the Digipack a clean, sophisticated look.

Now at the back cover we see a enlarged copy of the logo seen on the front cover. The logo is the first object that catches the viewers eye as it the largest element of the back cover. In comparison, one could say the there is a complete contrast between the size of the logo, it could be described as glaring, which in relation to the rest of the Digipack, may seem unordinary. This is iconic font as it can be used to relate to the band and the funky/groovy style of play

One of major changes that can be evidently seen of the back cover, is the withdrawal of the high-frequency sound wave, this has been monumental throughout the album cover and has been a major aspect of the Digipack. Nonetheless, the sound wave is still evident in the back cover, the thin white line separating the back cover in half, resembles a sound wave which is producing no sound (flat). This heavily contrasts the bold and extravagant sound waves seen earlier, this may suggest you have come to the end (theoretically) as you have reached the end of the album, hence the flat sound wave, whereas at the start the sound was loud and pupming.The back cover continues with the white on black colour scheme which is seen throughout the Digipack. This gives the viewer the sense that the CD will be well constructed, both artificially and musically. Another benefit of keeping the same colour scheme throughout is that gives a smooth experience and fit in well the music the Arctic Monkeys are offering.

In comparison to the rest of the Digipack we see a greater proportion of text as the only image is that of flat sound wave. The back cover is made up mostly of printed text showing the track list, which is the norm for CD's in any genre. This, like the other elements of the Digipack, suggests continuity between the work.

The underside of the Digipack is home to record label details, which has been printed in very small print. In the bottom right we see the barcode for the CD. This layout is almost identical for any published CD.

Maroon 5 Overexposed1) Front Cover2) Inner Panes + CD3) Back Cover

First look at the front, the clear use of bold, extravagant colours may connote the bands confidence and persona. The front cover manages to give off a sense of chaos via the glamorous colour scheme and indulgence of cartoon face artwork. The use artwork used on the front cover may be suggesting towards a similar sort of energy towards their music, as the believe their music is Art. This distinctive use of colours gives this digipack a competitive edge over competitors as truly catches a persona attention. Through the mouth of the large face, there is a concoction of colours trailing out, this could suggest the they are sing with a lot of emotion and flair.

The text used for the album cover for Overexposed seems to be rather quirky and energetic. This combined is successful in creating a modernised urban feel to the cover due to the handwritten styled design. This is generally unconventional to the genre, as many other alums make use of colours with darker tones as this helps to create a mood that they believe fits in well with their style of music. Therefore the text may connote what type of music to expect, this is true of the album as the music is rather modernised and fit well in the genre of POP/R&B.

For the large face , which is centrepiece to the cover, a close up is used, this is so that the face stands out from the other cartoons around it. The close up allows us to see deep details in the eye, which is where we see a bandaged heart. This may suggest the bands previous heartbreak. Another connotation is that it may suggest the passion the band are playing with as it may seem all artificial externally, but deep down they are singing from the heart. This suggest that the genre is becoming more abstract and creative as artists attempt to become more unique, as competition forever increases.

The main design on the CD is formed in the shape of an eye; this shows continuity between the covers as eyes were used heavily on the front cover with the hole through the middle of the CD acting as the pupil. This may suggest that the bands are watching out for you, the audience. The design in made to stand out due to the black background.The white text used on the CD is reasonably sized and maintains that quirky impression/style that was heavily explored in the front cover. However this consequently makes the text slightly trickier to read. The CD is in stark contrast when compared to the front cover regarding the overall colour scheme. At first glance the chaotic colours have disappeared and have been replaced with white on black. The colours used here imply a sense of formality and professionalism. This may have been done because this is the final step before listening to the music and they want to keep expectations of an unordinary low, as the can surprise the viewer purely by their music.

The inner cover Is fully constructed of images, as there is no proportion of text that can be seen within the inner cover. This furthermore, pushes the conventions, as other products would tend to have some text, albeit not a lot.The inner panel regains the continuity that was seen throughout the front cover, as the vibrant, warm colours have appeared once again. The colours seen on the cover, which home the CD are in contrast, as the well designed CD seems rather inadequate in relation the front and inner covers.

The purple used here could possibly connote the riches of musical adventure, as the orbital look and feel could suggest that they are on a journey to find their new style of music.

On the inner cover the return of the cartoon like drawing that had flooded the front cover. It shows a continuation of the urban/stencil theme which seem to show a mix of both human and inhumane characters. This furthermore continues the enigma code of whether the chaotic/unconventional theme of the design is emulated in the band music.

The back cover is very resembling of the front and inner covers due its vibrant colour scheme. The colour scheme is effective as rather distinctive on regards to other albums in the genre

In comparison to the front cover which include a variety of various art characters spread around the cover, where as in this cover the character are clustered round the track list, however the surrounding is filled the character outlines.

The outlines of characters may suggest that all fans of there music will come and go, as new ones leave, new ones will come.

The cluster of characters could suggest that they are surrounding the smoke bubble which insulates the track list, showing signs of excitement.

All the information regarding, record labels etc. has been rather unconventionally placed vertically upwards on the right hand side of the screen. This is unconventional as this information is usually displayed on the underside of the cover.

digipack linkshttp://www.slideshare.net/Tjnr/digipak-research-10268133http://www.nme.com/news/arctic-monkeys/71444#5http://www.slideshare.net/RyanMagill96/digipak-analysis-24285595