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Digipaks

11/10/13

What is a Digipak?

A digipak is an original version of a normal music album package. They are a cardboard case with one of more plastic trays depending on how many CD/DVD's there are. They generally come in a 4 panel or 6 panel format which means how many cardboard panels there are in the digipak, a standard digipak with 4 panels will hold 1 CD or DVD whereas a 6 panel can hold more as it opens further. Digipaks are far more shaterproof than standard jewel cases that are made out of plastic however they are more prone to scuffs and tears on the cardboard. This cardboard does give a mroe professional and deluxe look about the album as it is generally deluxe album versions that actually use a digipak case. They can also be used for special editions for extra revenue and can contain more information or pictures than a standard jewel case. Below are examples of a 4 panel and 6 panel digipak.

Why use a Digipak?

Digipaks are less resistant to scratching as I have mentioned as they can wear quicker with a degradable packaging style. When they get wet the colours can run and the disk inside is in danger of being damaged, to prevent this many manufacturers suggest a protective UV coating so that this doesn't happen and wears and scuffs are prevented.

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

  • They give a more professional and deluxe look

  • Easier to hold more than one disk

  • The first alternative use to jewel cases

  • Can be used as a collectable for the artist

  • Less resistant to scratches and breakages

  • More expensive to make then jewel cases

  • Can wear quicker if they get wet or tear

  • Disks can fall out because the teeth holding them in aren't as strong in jewel cases

Conventions of a Digipak?

General codes and conventions of a digipak will all be pretty much the same, some will differ slightly in the way the present themselves on the front for example artwork however they will all generally follow the following codes and conventions:

  • The name on the front of the digipak (the name of the artist and the name of the single or album)

  • Include a cover photo (generally of the artist or a graphic to represent them or the title of the album/single)

  • The inside of the digipak includes the disk (either CD or DVD)

  • A secondary image of the artist or another graphic to represent them or the title of the album/single

  • A possible second compartment with another disk depending on the size of the digipak (4 panel or 6+ panel)

  • Liner notes including legal information of the songs/comments from the artist/thank you notes/lyrics of the songs or contents/possibly more photos or graphics

  • The back panel will hold the track listing (numbered/time lengths/legal notes/titles)

  • The logo of the CD/DVD technology

  • Record label company

  • Website address of record label

  • Barcode

12/10/13

When creating our digipak for our chosen artist in the acoustic folk genre there are 5 key questions I need to consider to create the perfect digipak that is professional and conveys the generic codes and conventions of our genre. The 5 questions to consider are as follows:

 

  • What does the target audience expect from the artist?

  • Is the artwork representative of the artist?

  • Has the additional material been packaged appropriately?

  • What does the colour scheme suggest about the genre/mood of the album or single?

  • What are the advantages of a digipak for the audience?

What to consider

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