CD Digipack

Construction:

First of all, I used a template to make sure that my CDD is scaled correctly as well as looking like a typical product.

I then converted the image to a smart image. 

This enabled me to crop the image without losing the quality. I wanted the artist's face more prominent on the front cover. I made sure mise-en-scene elements such as the ring, red lipstick and rose were seen on the cover. 

I exported another photo to go onto my back cover. 

I enlarged the image.

Again, I cropped the image as I only wanted half of the artist's face. I also wanted it to look like the artist is looking at the tracklist.

I rotated the image 180 degrees after I had created the front and back cover. 

I then imported another image that I would be using for my inside back cover. 

I imported the final image that I would be using for my CD Digipack. 

I then cropped the image so it fits in the template.

I centred the image. 

Within Photoshop, I edited the inside front cover and the outside back cover with the 'Cutout' feature which texturizes the image

I aligned the images.

I added my text for my tracklist.

I then used the colour dropper tool as it enables me to pick up a colour which is already used on the images. I used a dark red as it stands out on the background, but is not washed out. 

I then added a barcode and small print to my product as well as adding my text to the front cover in the same typography, the font 'Skinny Marker'  and colour. 

Planning: Practice Shots

I have used my Samsung NX100 camera for the shots of the roses and ring, this is so I am able to familiarise myself with the camera and its setting before using. Here are some of the best shots that I can taken and some of the photos can be edited together to become a whole picture. Some of them were based on my plan for my CDD, but others were improvisation. However, for the images of the artist, I used the Canon EOS 1100D camera as it provided a better quality and linked with the lighting that I used. 

Planning: Mise-en-scene, Equipment and Props

Mise-en-scene and props are crucial elements which aid to link all products together and make a connection between the artist and her music. 

In order to appeal to the demographic of young, pop-loving, music enthusiasts, I had to make sure that the artist's makeup portrays the correct image. The artist has thick black eyeliner partnered with peach eyeshadow and subtle glitter. She has fluffy eyebrows, a trend throughout 2017 which has been carried into 2018, subsequently appealing to the consumer as the artist is up to date with current trends. 









The artist is also wearing bright, vibrant red lipstick, this is a icon and theme which runs throughout the music video, CD digipack and music magazine advertisement. This icon relates to the cliche colour of love, however my products aim to counteract such stereotypes and conventions by conveying love in a alternate way. The red lipstick, roses and red ring all tie together to create and illustrate a typical perception of love, yet the music video aims to subvert these traditions.


The are the red lipsticks that were used in both the MMA and CDD. 



Roses are typically associated with love, I used the petals and scattered them across the artist. As well as this, I have used one of my rings as an engagement ring, this features I in both the MMA and CCD. 

To make sure that my photos would come out at the best quality, I used the white backdrop as well as lighting in order to illuminate the picture. I used the light as well as linking the flash and the camera together to get the best results. Planning: Chosen Idea

To decide what design I am using for my final idea, I looked at audience feedback as well as the quality and practicality of the product. I have chosen to use CDD 2 as I like the idea of using red as a thematic link of which runs throughout all of the products, therefore showing that they are all linked. As well as this, even though the idea may seem conventional to the title, "New Love", once watching the music video, the images will make sense and the audience/consumer will be able to make the loose but significant connections. The use of the red lipstick, rose and ring helps promote  the cliche idea which I hope to defy. this idea is simplistic yet powerful as it is not plain but still is able to portray the idea of love. 

Planning: Chosen Idea

CDD 2

Planning: Drawn Initial Ideas and Feedback

After looking at my written ideas, I attempted to drawn/sketch some of my ideas in order to visualise them and see if they would work for the task. Each CDD design is slightly different, yet it is glee that I am focusing on the idea of using: a red rose, a red ring and red lipstick. This illustrates images of love, however after watching the music video, the consumer will understand  that the red has a deeper meaning of warning and danger. 

Once I had finished my initial ideas, I asked for feedback to enable me to helming achieve the perfect idea for my specific demographic. 

CDD 1:

• like the rose and how it links to other panels and gives them something to look for when hey open the digipack
• the tracklist on the inside
• like the white background so you can focus on the rose
• didn't like the idea that much as it looks very cramped

CDD 2: 

• like the idea of the artist on the front with the red lipstick as it is intriguing 
• like the rose petals falling off and it presents the love is disappearing (oxymoron)
• like the ring idea with the lyrics
• like how it all links to each panel and gives it meaning to the songs and the title
• like idea of social media as it is increasingly popular in modern society

CDD 3: 

• it is quite plain and doesn't really tell a story
• they look like separate panels
• it looks quite boring 
• like the artist standing up picking off the petals 

After the feedback, I have decided to go forward with CDD 2 as I think that this fit perfectly with my MMA and my MV. 

CDD 1

CDD 2

CDD 3

Planning: Initial Ideas

These are screenshots proving I have considered different fonts for both the artist name and album name. I will be following conventions by using the same font for all the text on the CD digipack. 

Some elements of CD digipacks do infact follow a specific codes and conventions, however this does not necessarily mean that an artist or a a company may strictly abide. Typically, the front cover of the album consists of the artist's name, image and the name of the album, yet some artists may not have a close up of themselves, they may feature an object or various other stimuli that may of influenced the album. Font drastically varies depending on the artist or the genre of their music. Size, colour, type of font and placement is never nearly the small on each and every album, these elements are there to market the artist as they are used to associate with the artist. 
The back cover of an album mostly remains the same, yet the only alterations would be the font or choice of background, the tracklist will always be found on the back. The placement of pictures and words may vary, and some tracklists presents numbers for duration of the songs. On more modern album back covers, websites or social media of the artist may be included. In small font on the bottom of the back cover, you will always find the legal aspects of the album, this remains in small font as it does not promote or market the artist, it only states things such as copyright or any other legal aspects. 
The inside front cover, from my individual research, does not deem extremely important as from the albums I analysed, the cover remained black or consisted of barely any information. Yet, some artists may use this space to give credit, send thanks to their fans, give extra information or provide the lyrics. 
Finally, the inside back cover was relatively similar to the inside front cover, it was typically blank. Alternatively, this could be use again for credits or thanks from behind the disc or the front outside image could be replicated in order to give detail or colour. It is evident that both of the inside covers do not follow conventions or codes, as there is a varies of different approaches when marketing the artist via the CD digipack. 

Research: Codes and Conventions Of CD Covers / Digipacks

I have previously looked at the history of music recording and am now considering how conventions and codes are used on existing CD covers.

The reasons for this research is to gain awareness of the existing codes and conventions, and how they may be used in order to be 'decoded'  by a consumer. 

Additionally, this will support me when it comes to planning my own CD digipack for my chosen album.

I have taken screenshots of each panel and added annotations analysing the use of the codes and conventions and what they may convey. This is artwork for an album titled, "I'll Keep Caling" by J.P Harris and The Tough Choices.

Research: The History of Music Recording

Phonograph

• created by Edison in 1877

• first sound recording

Gramophone

• created in 1887

• on flat discs

• 60-120 RPM

• 1928 - 78 RPM was the average

• 1930- vinyl recordings at 33 1/3 RPM

• 1949 - single recording 45 RPM 

• allowing more access

Cassette Tapes

• invented in 1967 by Phillips

• popular in 1970 to early 2000's

• "Sony Walkman" revolutionised the way the public listened to music

• more portable

Compact Discs

• created by Sony and Phillips in 1981

• provided better quality

MP3 ( Moving Pictures Expert Group)

• created in 1988

• audio and sound

• provided transmission and exhibition

iPod

• created in 2001 

• iTunes created in 2003

Youtube and Online Streaming

• Youtube created in 2005

• Napster created in 1999, provided p2p sharing and downloading

• Spotify created in 2008 in Sweden

• Spotify to USA in 2011