Digipack Textual Analysis

[Front/Back cover & Inner panes]

Arctic Monkeys AM
1) Front Cover
2) Inner Panes + CD
3) Back 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.



















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.
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.
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 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.
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.



















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
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.
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.
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.
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.







Maroon 5 Overexposed
1) Front Cover
2) Inner Panes + CD
3) 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 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 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 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 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.
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 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 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.



















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.
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.
The cluster of
characters could
suggest that they
are surrounding the
smoke bubble
which insulates the
track list, showing
signs of excitement.
The outlines of
characters may
suggest that all fans of
there music will come
and go, as new ones
leave, new ones will
come.


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