Digipaks ResearchBy James Powell
Stereophonics-You gotta go there to come back
The colours used on the cover are very simple using Black, White and Red. Furthermore the picture used does not present an image of the band instead a black and white
image of a young boy and male adult. The picture also fits the colour scheme using a black and white image, this image possibly connotes the social realistic attitude that many indie
bands try to represent/ present .
The CD also fits the colour scheme using a red image/logo with black and white text. The design is very graphic and eye catching and features a full track listing
with track duration information. The graphic and eye catching design relates to the originality side of indie bands to
create something new and unique.
The back cover reflects the front using another image of the boy and the pint further enforcing the presentation of social realism and general public of
Britain. Furthermore the track-listings also follow the format of the cover with the tracks in red text and the additional
information in black text.
The sleeve is designed almost like a notebook. The print makes the paper seem worn and old, in
addition the producers have printed hand written notes onto the paper. This style adds to the
realistic attitude of the digipak whilst furthermore making the item in general feel more personal and
connect with their audience more.
The realistic connotations of the design is further enforced using printed pictures that have been
designed to look like Polaroid's adding a real and authentic feel to the sleeve.
The Smiths-The Best of Volume 1The front cover features a black and
white image of one half of a biker couple in the 1960’s. In the image the woman is smoking and drinking. The
choice of featuring alcohol and cigarettes, like the last album, reflects
the normal social lives of everyday people to represent and communicate
their attitudes and indie style.
The CD design follows a different format of design to the rest of
the digipak using a black background with silver and grey text listing tracks and duration. However it stays consistent to
the covers minimalistic and simple design.
The back of the album reflects the colour scheme and format of the front cover. The track listing is the
same text but in black and the background is a group of people in a cafe. This further connotes the social lives but also the idea that the band represent normal peoples lives and interaction through their music and
image.
The sleeve for this album is far less involved than the previous album. It remains consistent with the format and colour scheme alternating
the main background colour between the white and pink.
The colours used are simple and minimalistic but also an unusual combination for an album
cover connoting the originality and individuality of the indie genre. Finally the use of
stereotypically feminine colours to represent the male group and also the use of a woman on the cover further supports this idea of new and original content to symbolise the independent
music.
Oasis-(What’s the story) Morning Glory?The cover depicts two men walking down Berwick
Street in London. The logo of the band is featured in the bottom right of the cover with the title running
across the top. Both parts of the title are simple and plain. This communicates the bands raw style and sound, the cover further communicates the idea
that the band were “of the people”. Meaning that they were not musically or personal influenced by
fame. Furthermore the cover features London communicating the industrial and social influence of
the band and their music.
These images of the band show them in both industrial areas, hotel rooms and arenas. The
choice of industrial areas shows the social realism similar to the other albums. However
the use arenas communicate the bands success and history.
The back cover of the album further supports the idea of
the normality and public representation of the band almost reflecting the cover.
Moreover the text also reflects the front cover using
the plain white design. The actual CD for album features the same plain text and logo used
consistently throughout the album. However the colour scheme
changes for the CD as it uses a solid mustard colour throughout the
design like The Smith’s CD
The sleeve features mostly images of the band, however on the first page there is a track listing and short description of the band. Like the last CD the design is plain and simple using only two colours and without any complicated features of
design. Further communicating the simple sound and real image of the band.
Arctic Monkeys-AMThe cover for AM is extremely simple and
minimalistic yet also very graphic and impactful. It shows the bands recent stylised, graphic style
both musically and lyrically. Like the other albums the
band do not appear on the cover at all.
The inside cover of the CD shows the band in a black and white graphic image .
The sharp and clear cut image further enforces the
idea of the band having developed a more
laboured and considerate style of music through the
use of graphic imagery.
The back cover shows the same graphic logo being linked through
the line in the middle. Furthermore the back
cover features the image of the bands
logo further communicating more
detail after the intrigue of the cover.
The sleeve like the previous two is very plain. In this sleeve the
only lists are the tracks and their lyrical content. The consistent use of the colour scheme also add to the overall basic yet stylised look
of the digipak.
The CD like the cover shows the same graphic logo/symbol. The
choice of presenting just a sound wave on the cover and CD connotes that this style of music will be more stripped back and
pure but done to in a very stylised and designed way.
Conclusion• In conclusion I have learnt that most indie bands use a simplistic but graphic design to
communicate the social realism that the genre is known to either present or represent within their music but also because they have to be intriguing and interesting. Furthermore the use of colour scheme and general format of the digipak remains consistent throughout not only the covers but also the sleeve packets, however the CD generally contains the basic logos or symbols however won’t have the more stylised look and will generally use a solid colour in
place of this. Moreover the colour scheme used is generally consistent and refined to a small but effective palette. Finally from these covers the band will not appear on the cover to
represent the music, instead a photo or symbol is used to represent a style or political/social message that is associated within the music.