Research and planning: Generic conventions and analysing digipaks

Generic conventions and analysing digipaks

Purpose:

• Marketing tool that sells/promotes the album
• Displays indirect information such as the ideologies of the artist
• Creates, adapts or feeds into the representation of the 'star image'
• A product to keep hold of, can be a collectors item
• Attract a particular target audience

What are the generic conventions?

• Artist image
• Tracklist 
• Parental advisory label
• Record label
• Barcode 
• Album title 
• Company details

Three examples of digipak's:

Main image: there is no main image; instead there are a collection of hand-drawn images. They are roughly drawn, which could be portraying a particular lifestyle, and insinuating to the phrase "life isn't perfect". It gives off the impression that the artist herself drew these sketches, which strengthen the idea of a flawed lifestyle as she had to start from scratch to make this cover.

Colours: the colours used are within the greyscale. This makes it look like an unfinished draft, relating back to the rough look which perhaps insinuates urban lifestyle roots. 

Sub images: in the bottom right corner there is a sketch of a woman with non-human characteristics such as wings, no eyes or hair. This might have been a subtle yet clever way to insinuate that the artist is of a higher being, supposed by Dyer's Star theory of stars being extraordinary

Star Image: two of the main images are of the star. A crown is drawn onto one and a cap onto the other. This portrays that she is important in the music industry, yet keeps who she is true despite fame and fortune. Artists with this humble streak are less likely to be attacked for crimes or deviance. Also, fans in the audience have been drawn with their mobile phones recording her. They are below her, indicating shes on a stage, showing that they worship her as a fanbase. Lastly, a 'sold out' sign shows that she is a popular artist.

Adorno's popular culture: Passive masses are encouraged by showing the members of audience consuming her music by recording with mobile phones.

Info: parental advisory sticker, proof that the album still lies within the Hip-Hop conventions.

Overall image: Effective because the flaws of the drawing portray her as a growing artist and down to Earth

Conclusion:

This research has been extremely beneficial to our planning process as now we have a better understanding of how to produce a professional digipak. It is important that all four images used should be similar and maintain consistence throughout.