CD Digipak Front Cover Second Draft

CD Digipak Front Cover Second Draft

This is the second draft we have created, for the front cover of our CD digipak. Although, we were extremely pleased with the outcome of the first draft of our front cover, after receiving feedback from our lecturer, she felt that after creating the other aspects of the CD digipak, the front cover no longer seemed consistent with the package, whilst furthermore she also felt the overall front cover and particularly the image, could be more controversial to suit our chosen theme. However, rather then changing particular aspects of the initial first draft creation, we felt it would be more beneficial to redesign the front cover from scratch. To the background we have added a wooden texture, which is covered in a variety of colourful paint splatters. This allows the front cover to be in keeping with the inside sleeve and the back cover of the CD digipak and the magazine advertisement to create a professional looking consistent package, whilst also allowing the audience to identify that the magazine advertisement is in fact advertising this CD, due to the the high consistency between each. The paint splats also add a very chaotic effect to help emphasise the careless nature of the target audience, primarily teenagers, whilst also reflecting the careless nature of the characters within the music video. We have placed the photograph onto the wooden background, whilst also adding a white border, to create the appearance of a polaroid picture. This again, is very consistent with the inside sleeve of the CD digipak, whilst also adding a realistic effect which the target audience can relate to, allowing the photograph to appear like a candid photograph from a regular party any teenager/young adult would participate in. Lastly we have also cigarettes to the front cover, which allows the front cover to be in keeping with both the inside sleeve and back cover of the CD digipak, whilst also emphasising the controversial nature of the overall package. 

CD Digipak Front Cover Amended Photo Shoot & Inside Sleeve (Original Images)

After gaining feedback from both our lecturer and our peers, it was evident that many felt the image used on the front cover was simply not controversial enough to be consistent with the theme we had created and the plot for our music video. Therefore we will be re-shooting the image for our front cover, again using an outdoor backdrop and the use of props such as cigarettes and alcohol, but perhaps using a different use of body language and more effective use of props, to create a more controversial and consistent front cover. As we also produced the flat plan and design for the inside sleeve of our CD digipak after producing our first photo shoot, we also needed to take the images which would feature on the inside sleeve. Therefore, for convenience and to ensure we complete our media coursework for the deadline, we felt it would be appropriate to re-shoot the amended photograph for our front cover and the photographs for our inside sleeve at the same time. 

Amended CD Digipak Front Cover Photographs
Before taking the photographs for the inside sleeve of our CD digipak, we needed to take the amended photographs for the front cover of our CD digipak. As our initial front cover photograph was suggested to be not controversial enough, our main priority with the amended photograph was to ensure that it was controversial. Therefore to ensure this was projected, we wanted to have each band member taking part in some form of controversial behaviour.

Above, are the first two photographs which were taken for the front cover of our CD digipak. Although the angle and the placement of the camera was exactly what we wanted, after viewing the images, we felt as both Chelsea and Nikki (Centre and Right) were taking part in controversial behaviour, smoking and drinking, I looked rather out of place just sitting there. Therefore we did not feel the behaviour was consistent enough, between each band member, and felt the images were not right for the front cover. 

Amended CD Digipak Front Cover Final Chosen Photograph 

This is the third photograph which was taken for the front cover of our CD digipak.  

As we were unhappy with the first and previous two images, we ensured that all of the band members were taking part in some form of controversial behaviour, including swearing, smoking and drinking, to ensure behaviour was consistent. Therefore, we were very pleased with the third image which was taken, and will be using this image on the front cover of our CD digipak. We feel the angle and position of the camera is very good, featuring the band members in the centre, which will be the main focal point of the front cover. There is also a sufficient amount of clear space both above and below the band members, which allows us to place the title (the bands name) text onto the image without interfering with or hiding the band members. This is very important as we want the band members to be visible, as their behaviour is important to portray the right effect. 

CD Digipak Inside Sleeve Tester Photographs

After taking the amended photographs for the front cover of our CD digipak, we then needed to take photographs for the inside sleeve of our CD digipak. Before taking the actual photographs for our inside sleeve, we took tester photographs, which are displayed below. 

We felt it was important to take tester photographs, to ensure all the elements of the photos were what we wanted and how we wished them to look. As we had a selection of two background locations we wished to use, we initially took the tester photographs using our first chosen location, a brick wall. After viewing the photographs, we decided we would not like to use the brick wall as the location for our actual photographs, specifically as we felt the busy patterns and textures of the brick were quite distracting, drawing attention away from the band members within the images, of whom we want to be the main focus, therefore we will be using a fence backdrop for our actual photographs. We also decided to take the photographs during the day to see if this would be beneficial to our images. However, we felt that with such an exposure to bright light, the photographs appeared slightly washed out, where as we wanted our images to have a higher contrast and a larger amount of depth and shadow, to achieve a more edgy effect to the image, therefore we will be taking our actual photographs during dusk/night time.

CD Digipak Inside Sleeve Photographs

After taking the tester photographs for the inside sleeve of our CD digipak, we then took the actual photographs for the inside sleeve of our CD digipak, with the decided amendments from the tester photographs applied.  

Above, are the first two images which were taken with the camera. Although we had the correct placement and angle of the camera, and the model (me) in the right placement with the background, the flash on the camera appeared to be set incorrectly and go off too late. Therefore the camera had already been taken away from the model and moved from the correct position, whilst the photograph was taken, hence these photographs were incorrect and not appropriate  for the inside sleeve of our CD digipak.

After the first two pictures had been incorrect due to the miss timing of the flash on the camera, we ensured to check the timing of the flash was correct before taking each photograph. To ensure we had a good selection of images to choose from, we took around 2 or 3 photos for each individual, from a variety of different angles and camera positions and including a variety of different body language from  each individual. After viewing each of the images, and placing them onto the inside sleeve to see which combination of images would be the most suitable with one another, we decided the 6 images above, would be the least suitable for the inside sleeve of our CD digipak, each for individual reasons, such as for example, appearing too stylised, specifically when we wanted the images to appear more candid. 

CD Digipak Inside Sleeve Final Chosen & Edited Photographs
Below, are the photographs which we have chosen to use in the inside sleeve of our CD digipak.

We have selected these three images to use for the inside sleeve of our CD digipak, for a variety of reasons. We felt the selection of images overall displays a good variety of camera angles and positions, which allows the images to look different from one another and less stylised, emphasising the candid appearance which we hoped to had gained. Each image also displays a variety of body language, and each band member participating in some form of controversial behaviour, that is consistent with the type of behaviour they are participating in on with the front cover photograph, which not only emphasises the shocking atmosphere we wished to project, but also allows all the photographs with the CD digipak to be in keeping with one another. After selecting the three images we wished to use, we then applied a number of effects to give the images an appearance, as if they had been taken with a disposable camera. These included lowering the saturation of the image and heightening the contrast, to create a more edgy effect, added a grainy and scratchy texture, which emphasises the dishevelled appearance and a vignette gradual border to the outer edge, to create an almost burnt edging, again emphasising the dishevelled atmosphere, overall allowing us to project the chaotic and controversial atmosphere we  wanted to create, to attract our target audience. 

Feedback - CD Digipak Front Cover First Draft & Magazine Advertisement Second Draft

After producing the first draft for our CD digipak front cover and the second draft for our magazine advertisement, we felt it would be useful to gain feedback, in order to see if we had created successful products or whether there were any improvements we could make. We gained this, by asking our lecturer to assess the work we had produced, using specific feedback forms. 

For both of the printed tasks, we received a grade B, which is our target grade. Therefore we seem to be making sufficient progress with our project and producing high level work. However, If were are to make the appropriate improvements, it could be possible for our group to achieve an A grade for our project.

Below are the feedback forms, which display which aspects of the tasks we have successfully completed, the strengths of the work we have produced and the areas in which we could improve the work we have produced.

CD Digipak Front Cover First Draft Feedback

After observing the feedback we gained on our CD digipak front cover first draft, our lecturer felt the attitude, body language and the staging we had used within our photographs was very good, specifically as it suggested we have a good knowledge of our target audience. As we have tried to reflect typical 'youth' behaviour within the image, such as having an 'care free' or 'not bothered' attitude and engaging in behaviour such as drinking or smoking, which will help to relate to our target audience age group of 16-25. She felt the text and image were well integrated with one another.  However, she felt although the font was good, it could 'lift' off the page a little more. Therefore, we could add a border or a darker shadow, allowing the text to stand off from the background more. She also felt that although we had an appropriate image, it could be slightly more punchy or controversial too suit the name of the band. Therefore,  we could possibly add some controversial graffiti, using photo shop brushes,  onto the fence featured in the background and maybe a larger use of props that are consistent with the theme, such as empty alcohol bottles or cans on the grass in the foreground of the image. To improve the overall grade of our CD digipack, we  should also complete the full digipack, including the back cover and the inside sleeve. 

Magazine Advertisement Second Draft Feedback

After observing the feedback we gained on our magazine advertisement second draft, our lecturer felt overall we had produced a very good magazine advertisement, that was very quirky, youthful and full of energy, particularly in the use of colours and images. She also felt we displayed a good understanding of the conventions for both our genre and magazine advertisements and endorsements, such as advertising where the CD could be purchased or CD reviews from various music magazines. These both overall, displayed that we had a good awareness of our target audience and how to relate and cater our product to their needs. However, she also felt we could add more endorsements, to allow the magazine advertisement to look professional and realistic. Too create a more realistic magazine advertisement, she also felt it could be beneficial too add a quotation from a music magazine, reviewing the album, which would reassure the readers that the CD would be a great purchase, specifically if it were to be reviewed by a very popular music magazine. Lastly she felt that we could also place a faint image of the CD digipak front cover onto the iPod, to allow the iPod to tie in with the overall advertisement and ensure the image looks realistic. 

CD Digipak Front Cover First Draft

CD Digipak Front Cover First Draft

This is the first draft for our CD digipak front cover, which we are very pleased with. This is quite similar to our initial flat plan we created, however we have made a few changes and alternatives, which I feel benefit our cover. We have used very few props compared to what we initially intended, however I feel this has turned out much better, as if many props were to be used this could have distracted attention away from the band members. I feel it would be very important to ensure the band members are the main focus, as this would allow audiences to identify them and then connect them or identify them within the music video, or visa versa, to allow the overall package to be effective and consistent. In addition we have kept the font we intended, however we have also added a crinkled paper texture, which we feel works very well and creates a very unique effect, rather then just having plain text. We also added a vintage border effect, which we feel works very well with the washed out, faded colours and compliments the entire image and theme very well. 

CD Digipak Front Cover Flat Plan

Before we create the design for our CD digipak front cover, on Photoshop, we have first drawn an initial rough draft as an idea of how we wish the front cover to appear, which will provide us with a guideline for our creation. This initial rough draft can be displayed below.

CD Digipak Front Cover Flat Plan Initial Design

Rationale Questions

Colour

Within the front cover image, we will be using a large variety of bright colours, specifically on the clothing of the band members and the props. This we feel will be very effective in emphasising the chaotic and wild party atmosphere, we hope to create with a chaotic use of bright colours. We will also be using the large variety of bright colours, to allow the front cover to be befitting with the other aspects of the CD digipak, the magazine advertisement and the music promo video, to allow our overall package to appear consistent and professional. For the background, behind the models that are featured in the image, we will be using very vintage and faded colours such as light blue, brown or grey. We have chosen to apply this, as the worn out colours will contrast greatly with the bright colours used and as we would like the band members and props used to catch the majority of the readers attention, this will allow them to stand out to the audience, ultimately creating more emphasis on the party atmosphere.

Image

The image which we we will be using on our front cover, will be located outdoors, with a fence backdrop. We feel this would be appropriate, as rather then having a very stylised image with a studio backdrop, the image will appear much more candid and realistic, similar to a average photograph taken at a party with a regular camera. This will allow our target audience to relate to the front cover of our CD digipak, which is a very important factor, in order attract our target audience and encourage the purchase of the CD. We also felt the use of an ordinary and rather plain background would be more effective, as this will allow the colourful props and band members to stand out more, as they are very significant to the overall cover. The props which we will be using, will consist of items such as alcohol, cigarettes, party poppers, balloons etc. After various research we found many of these props were evident, specifically cigarettes and alcohol, in the everyday lives of our target audience, therefore this will increase the use and gratification of personal identity, allowing our target audience to relate and identify themselves with the band members and the overall image. We have also selected these specific props as they are consistent with the 'party' theme we have chosen, ensuring the overall theme is identifiable and creating a professional and consistent package. The costumes which will be featured in the image, as mentioned in the costume planning, will be highly influenced by the type of music, specifically indie and rock and also the current fashion trends with teenagers and young adults. Therefore not only will this allow the band members clothing to appear consistent with the genre of music and the overall theme, furthermore this will allow our target audience to identify themselves with the band members featured. For the image we will be using a medium long shot type. This will provide a sufficient amount of clear space around the band members featured in the image, to allow us to place the text without distracting or inflicting with the models or props featured. The camera angle we will use is eye line, as keeping the band members on eye level will help to ensure they are the centre and key focal point of the overall CD cover. After both the text and images have been placed onto the front cover, we will then add a vintage overlay,  which will fade out the edges of the image, lower the saturation of the colours and overall add a grainy effect. This will be used to help emphasise the destructive party atmosphere, creating an old, worn out and dishevelled look, to the image. 

Text

The text which we will be using on the front cover will simply consist of the bands name. Although there are many artists who do not place there name on the front cover of their CD digipak, we felt it would be appropriate, as the band would be relatively unknown and therefore unlike famous artists, of whom could be simply recognised by their face, audiences may not be aware of the appearance of the band members, therefore the name of the band will allow them to identify who the CD digipak belongs to easily and clearly. 

Font

The font which we will be using for the text featured, will be Nova Solid. We felt this was an appropriate font, as although it is simple, which will allow the text to be read easily, it is also quite unique and as we will also be using the same font on our magazine advertisement, this will allow our audience to associate this specific font to this band. The font of the text, will also appear in the colour white. Although this may seem like an inappropriate choice of colour, as it will not allow the text to stand out greatly, we would like the image used on the front cover to be the main focus, with the band, the props and the party atmosphere catching the viewers eye, in order to emphasise the atmosphere we would like to generate. Therefore the choice of white, will allow the text to stand out enough for it to be readable but not to much that it would be distracting.

Layout

Initially we would like the image we will be using to consume the overall front cover of our CD digipak, specifically as the image will play a vital role in reflecting the theme of our package and creating the choatic and controverisal atomsphere we intend to generate. The text, the band name, will be placed at both the top and bottom of the front cover, in order to allow the text to  not distract from the central focal point of the cover, which will be the members of the band. It is very important that the band members are seen clearly on the front cover, to allow audiences to recognise them and identify them with both the magazine advertisement and the music promo video.

Inspirations For CD Digipak Front Cover

Pegasus Bridge - Ribena Album Cover

This is my favourite album cover and is my main inspiration, for our album cover. The layout is very minimalistic, which I would like to replicate as it is not too busy or over powering, which would be much more easy and appealing for the public to view. I like the image, which also appears to be very minimalistic, with no use of props or a busy background image which could distract from the band members. Instead we can see the band clearly, which allows the viewer to recognise and identify them clearly. I also like the colour and vintage effect which is applied to the image, which allows all aspects of the cover to to be consistent with one another and compliment each other really well.

All Time Low - Dirty Work Album Cover

My favourite part of this album cover is the layout, which is quite similar to the Pegaus Bridge album cover, with a minimalistic and typical layout placing the band image in the centre focal point and the band name at the top of the cover, which again is very appealing and easy on the eye. I also like the use of contrasting colour, with the image of the band members and the title placed in black and white, whilst the background is placed in a bold red colour, to allow the black and white aspects to stand out. I also like the use of body language and props used in the image of the band members, which I would like to replicate in our album cover, allowing the album cover to stay consistent with the party theme of the music promo video. 

You Me At Six Photo Shoot

Allow this is not an album cover, I particularly like this image which I would like to take as inspiration for the central image of the band which will be used on our album cover. The image features what appears to be the aftermath of a party, therefore not only will it be appealing to our 16-25 year old target audience, but it would also be consistent with the party theme of our music promo video.