CD Digipak Inside Sleeve Second & Final Draft

CD Digipak Inside Sleeve Second & Final Draft

This is the second draft we have created, for the inside sleeve of our CD digipak. We were very happy with the first draft which we created for the inside sleeve, in particular how similar we were able to create it, to the initial design of how we had hoped the inside sleeve would appear. However, within the first draft, we intended to place photographs within the polaroids featured, unfortunately we had not taken part in the photo shoot yet to produce these photographs. Now that we have taken the photographs and selected which specific ones we would like to use, we have edited them to create the desired effect we wanted to achieve, specifically a very vintage and dishevelled appearance. We then afterwards, placed the completed photographs into each polaroid, in order to complete the final draft of the inside sleeve. In addition, we have also had to make one small alteration to the overall layout. As evident in the first draft of the inside sleeve, their appears to be four polaroids, featuring the names of the four group members. However, as one of our group members has left the group, we will no longer be featuring her within the inside sleeve. Therefore we have removed one of the polaroid images and will be only featuring the three remaining group members within the inside sleeve. 

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. 

CD Digipak Inside Sleeve First Draft

CD Digipak Inside Sleeve First Draft

This is first draft we have produced, for the inside sleeve of our CD digipak. We are very pleased with first result of the inside sleeve, as it appears to be very similar to the initial design we had hoped to create. We also are particularly happy as the design appears to be very fitting with both the front cover of our CD digipak and the magazine advertisement, which ultimately will allow the overall package to look professional and consistent. We are also very pleased with how the image appears to have maintained very realistic qualities. When we initially drew the flat plan image we were happy with our design, however we felt, the image if not created correctly could become too 'animated' or 'cartoon' like. This could cause the image to loose the overall emphasis on the  realism, which was an important factor. As we wanted to create a layout and image that appeared similar to the desk of perhaps our target audience, featuring items which they may have or use regularly, which may heighten the uses and gratification featured, in particular personal identity, providing our target audience with the ability to successfully identify their own values, behaviour etc within the image.  Therefore instead of creating images using Photo Shop, we chose a collection of images from the web containing the items we wanted then cut them out and placed them into the inside sleeve using Photo Shop. Initially, we have created the overall layout for the inside sleeve, however as evident above, the polaroid photographs contain no images. Therefore as we have yet to participate in the photo shoot and take the photographs, we will place them images in the polaroids when complete.

CD Digipak Inside Sleeve Flat Plan

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

CD Digipak Inside Sleeve Flat Plan Initial Design

Rationale Questions

Colour
Within the inside sleeve of CD digipak, we will be using a number of bright colours, which will be mainly featured on the items which are placed around the polaroid photographs. Unlike both the front cover and back cover, we don't want to place as many bright colours, specifically in the form of paint splats, as we feel the entire CD digipak may become too busy and uneasy on the eye of the audience. However we still want the inside sleeve to remain consistent, reflecting the chaotic and messy theme throughout the use of bright colours, therefore we will be placing the bright colours on the items such as the lighter and gig wristband. 

Image
Within the inside sleeve of our CD digipak, we will be placing four polaroid type photographs, featuring each of the band members. For the location and backdrop of the photographs, we will be a fence or a break wall, the same as the backdrop we will be using for the photograph featured on the front cover, which will allow the inside sleeve to be consistent with the front cover. We have also chose to use an everyday, outdoor backdrop as we want the images to appear very candid, as if they are just regular photographs, in comparison to if a stylised studio backdrop were to be used. This will heighten the uses and gratification of personal identification, relating the photographs taken at a party, to the lifestyles of our target audience, who may have taken similar photographs. The props we will be using, will be consistent with those in the front cover photographs, with items such as cigarettes and alcohol. This will emphasis the deviancy and controversial behaviour, helping to provoke shock from the audience, like we had intended. However, this will also again allow the images to be relatable to the lifestyles of our target audience, who often engage in similar controversial behaviour. For the camera angles, we are hoping to use quite close up of each band member and to place the camera at tilted, unusual angles, which will allow the photographs to look more candid and spontaneous. Lastly we will also be added a vintage and scratched effect to the photographs and lower the saturation and increasing the contrast. This will allow the photographs to be consistent, by reflecting the destructive and chaotic nature of the overall theme of the project. 

Text
The main text which we will be featuring on the inside sleeve of our CD digipak, will be the names of each of the band members which we will be placing onto the polaroid photographs. We feel this would be suitable, as the band would be relatively unknown, this would allow us to somewhat introduce the band members to the audience and add more of a personal and relatable touch. We will also be featuring the title of the album. Although this is conventionally placed on the front cover, we want to keep the main focus on the name and image of the band, therefore  we will be placing this on the inside sleeve, to allow the audience to still be aware of the name of the album. 

Font

For the names of each band member we will be featuring on our inside sleeve, we will be using the font HammerKeys. We have chose this as the font has a typewriter text appearance, and we want the text to appear like a label has been placed on the polaroid photograph, which will emphasise the overall realistic desk appearance, we are hoping to achieve. We will also be placing this text in a white coloured font to allow the text to stand out against the polaroid photographs. For the album title text, we will be using the font Myriad Pro. We have chose to use this font, as we want the text to appear like it is printed on wrist band, and this font is simple and bold, and will appear like printed text. We will place this text in a black font, to allow it to stand out against the bright yellow background of the wristband. 

Layout
For the layout of our inside sleeve, we will firstly be placing the polaroid photographs, horizontally along the centre of the page. Specifically as we want the photographs of the band members to be the main focus, and the first thing the audience will notice, therefore it is more appropriate to place in them in the centre focal point of the page. However, we will also be surrounding the photographs, with items such as money, cigarettes and gig tickets, very effortlessly to create a somewhat messy and carefree layout. We will be doing this to create the appearance of a desktop, specifically one which belongs to someone of our target audience age group, which will appeal to our target audience and allow them to relate to the inside sleeve effectively.

Inspirations For CD Digipak Inside Sleeve

Paramore - Uknown Album Inside Sleeve

What I particularly like about this album inside sleeve is the use of font and text, which are the lyrics to one of the songs. The text appears to be in handwriting and even has scribbles, almost like the plan for the song lyrics, which adds a more personal touch for the viewer, something which I would like to replicate in our album inside sleeve. 

Unknown Artist - Album Inside Sleeve

I really like this album inside sleeve, particularly for its realistic approach. The use of everyday items, seems more like a photograph, which I feel would be more relatable to the viewer, as it maybe items they use everyday. I would like to incorporate this style within our album inside sleeve, however with items such gig tickets and party photographs, in order to be relatable to our target audience and be consistent with the overall theme of our project. 

Charlie Mayfair - Unknown Album Inside Sleeve

Allow this may not necessarily be in keeping with our chosen theme, I like the use of font and background image used on this album inside sleeve. The font is very unique, appearing almost like handwriting, it stands out and catches the readers eye, which I would like to incorporate into our album inside sleeve. The background image is very intriguing, with an antique effect it makes the background almost appear like parchment paper, this effect I would like to somehow replicate in our album inside sleeve.