Final Digipak

Here is the final outcome of our digiak design. As you can see we kept the original design that was voted in the class discussion. It started of to be a challenge at first to create with our low knowledge about using photo shop. We decided to zoom into the image of the actors and cut around them which became very stressful as we wasn't aware of the shortcuts but once we got the grip of the cropping tool it seemed to become very easy for us to create the image. We decided the make the people around the main artist a different colour as to make them seem surreal.

We decided on putting the black and white checkered theme around the outside as you usually see this on Ska genred album. I think personally the overall outcome is very effective and matches the generic conventions of Ska. I don't think there is any thing really could be improved as they all meet connotations. We decided to have just have a simple background for the inside where the CD will go as there is not reason for much detail as it will be covered up any way. 

Music Video Feedback

*Gemma G, Jess H, Lillie C – fun and happy, reflected song well, nice matching of rhythms of cuts to music, like the growing absurdity.

( Kerry Greenwood)

Digipak update

 At first we had to explore all the tools to ensure that we where able to create the image that we have in mind. With us not having much knowledge about Photoshop we had to first go through and familiarise our selves with all the tools. We wanted to crop the characters out of the original picture so then we could use them for what we wanted. As we didn't have much knowledge of photo shop we firstly zoomed in on to the people and rubbed out any thing around them that we didn't want but later on we learnt that there is a simple cropping button that will draw around the out line of the person that we are wanting.

This here is the final front cover. We have cropped out characters and placed them behind the artist in a different colour so it makes them look surreal. The artist is in the original colour stood at the front. All of this creates an image of that he is un aware of them behind him and also looks like it could all just be a dream. This front is finished and with having the simple font and writing on the front and nothing else it meets the generic conventions of CD covers of this genre.

As you can see on his edit update we have progressed onto the back of the album cover where we have just simply add the track list in. The font is bold and stands out we are soon thinking about adding pictures around it or putting in the black checked theme.

Deciding on the cover after discussing.

After we all presented our ideas to the class we then discussed as a group which ones we liked best and whether we should mix our  ideas to create one CD album. The group decided that they preferred our idea with the characters stood behind the artist leaning over his shoulder like he was unaware of their presence and having the background of the front cover being very simplistic. They then decided that the back cover that they liked the most was the one with the various pictures of the characters and band surrounding the track list. In the middle they liked the idea of having a brick laid pattern behind the side where the disk would go and then having the lyrics to the song 'Our House' on the other side of the album. We all came to an agreement and decided to go along with their opinions as they are our audience and we obviously wanting to appeal to them in the best way possible so taking their advice would be a great starting point.

Digipak Ideas

These are our ideas for are digipaks. As you can see here we have followed the same basic structure as 'Madness' do for their CD covers. This CD case is rather simplistic but using the correct generic conventions it could work. The cover has the main singer standing at the front with other characters from songs behind him peeping over his shoulder. This helps relate and promote 'Madness' 'Our House' as they are all sneaking up behind which is sort of what you see within the music video as they enter the house uninvited. The title as you can see is rather simple too. On the back there is not much to it .
As you can see  it consists of simply the track listing running down the side and a barcode at the bottom and obviously the company that is helping produce this will be seen on the back. Also there will be a barcode which is obviously common sense but that is all this idea entails of but I think if created correctly it can be very affective.

This idea as you can see is still rather similar to the previous design as we think that creating a cover that matches the generic conventions to 'Ska' will be a better way of selling them instead of going against them as it may not be as successful. This cover has the artist standing at the front with band members and characters from 'Our House' whispering and making the impression that they are saying shush behind his back as if to give the impression that he is unaware of them standing behind them which matches the music video 'Our House' as these characters enter the house uninvited and he is then unaware of where they are. There is the use of the black and white checked theme which is seen through out many 'Ska' albums. This theme is used on the title and around the edges of the front cover on the back it will consist of track list running all the way down the side. I have taken an idea of a previous 'Madness' album cover by putting lots of different images of the band and characters in different poses scattered around the outside as I thought this was very effective. The black and white checked theme will not be used on the back as it used plenty on the front but this may change as it may help link the front and back together. Then there will be obvious things included such as the record company, date of being released and a barcode.

Here you can see that we have gone for a totally different approach too the other ones that we have designed. The front cover is laid out in boxes, with a more formal lay out. Within each box there is a different picture of the artist and the house. The first picture is of the artist's face and the second one is a clip of him running out of the building from 'Madness' 'our House' . The font of the text is rather formal. Here we have gone against the generic conventions for a CD case with no black and white checked theme or the black and white effect either that you usually see. The spine is simplistic with just the name of the band on it in a formal font. The back consists of little pictures from the music video too like from the front cover with the track list running down the side. Also there will be the date of release and a barcode etc.
Here you can see is the middle of the CD case. The middle consists of the CD and maybe some form of booklet on the left. Here you can see that there is the disk on the right and the design on the on it is very simplistic and just has the name od the band and the album name on in it. This will be in a black font with a white background. On the left side is the lyrics to 'Madness Our House' this will be printed in on the inside of the album. We thought this was a good idea as it helps promote 'Our house'

Conventions of a Digipak

Generic Conventions

Digipak Breif

- A cover for its release as part of a digipak (CD DVD package)
- A magazine advertisement for the digipak (CD DVD package)