Post-Production: Researching CD Digipak's

After completing the basis and the start of editing our music video, we all agreed on discussing and noting initial ideas for our CD Digipak. We wanted to start with considering concepts towards the Digipak as we all wanted to be on the same page and allow our ideas to be collectively gathered together as a whole. As we understand Fran is in charge of completing the Digipak but we will generate ideas and help wherever needed as this is a group effort but we have split our time and work-load effectively.

As a group we felt research was the best method at this point in production for our ancillary product as it provides a strong motivation for generating ideas. For instance, we started by researching and examining CD Digipaks of artists of the same genre as ours, such as, indie-pop. After time of careful and close research, we were mostly inspired by three effective and previously researched artists, Lorde and MØ.

Researching and analysing aspects of MØ and Lorde’s CD Digipak

Primarily examining the Digipaks, we all agreed we were fond of the colour scheme chosen, consisting of the boldness of the black and white effect. We appreciated this decision as we all felt black and white provides a clear, simple an effective theme but also maintaining the aesthetically pleasing look and mature, professional feel. We are also fond of the easy flexibility of allowing some colour to weave through. From this, we all settled to consider this as an idea in which we might venture down for our Digipak.

As well as appreciating options for our colour scheme and being inspired by the black and white take, however, we are all also hugely indulged towards the composition and layout of their Digipak’s. For example, the inspiring products, especially MØ’s, present an appreciation for space and efficient design. Similarly, the bold choice of negative and positive space is taken into consideration throughout the process of these CD Digipak’s and will therefore ours will be created in the same way, potentially allowing clear negative space to play a big role.

Similar to this, the picture presented upon the Digipak’s are carefully elected and consequently we will plan and organise a constructive and professional photoshoot. During the shoot, we will consider all the angles possible as MØ does. However, we weren’t particularly fond of extreme close up shots as it lacked in clear recognition of the artist and her image. In addition to this, we may possibly consider the positioning and direction given to the models, however will consider our themes of rebellion, youth, domination and spontaneity throughout. From observing and analysing, I noticed the artist’s payed particular and close attention to specific details, such as attention to the look of their image, including accessories and the appearance.

From looking and observing close detail and attention, as a group we were all engrossed towards the style of presentation. For instance, we were all fond of creative consideration, such as, the use of handwriting. Therefore, we will hugely consider this when creating our product as it reads well and falls aesthetically pleasing.

Summing up all our research, observations and opinionative points, we all agreed MØ’s Kamikaze album and her Glass album were of most inspiration and we aim to potentially create a CD Digipak similar to these but with more detail. These particular album's communicate the artist’s star image very effectively and clearly. As well as this, the Digipak's both show conventions of originality as well as unique, creative uses of physical handwriting.

From completing research, it has provided more ideas and concepts for us to briefly use and play around with. Similarly, we all agree we can beneficially combine our most appreciated aspects and decisions from our researched Digipak’s to create something of high standard. In response to our research, Harvey effectively created some useful notes and clear direction for Fran to experiment and start with. For instance, he offered a potential design idea and weaved our original idea of our artists’, SIOUX, translating to the creativity of little snakes.

Moving forward, Fran will automatically and enthusiastically go ahead and begin creating rough drafts of our CD Digipak for our artist, SIOUX.