CD/Digipak cover design

This is my design layout for my CD/Digipak.

The layout goes as follows:

• Top left is my back cover
• Top right is my front cover
• Bottom left is my inside back cover
• Bottom right is my inside front cover

The top left image is of a cloudy night sky with a moon.

The top right image is of an alarm clock which is related to our video.

The bottom left image is of our lead singer (Mackenzie) standing alone in our setting at night.

The bottom right image is of our setting on it;s own at night.

First Ideas for CD/Digipak Design

Cover:
Images to represent band (The Courteeners)
Album/single name

Back:
Track list
Logo

Inside Cover:
A few images to represent the band
A message from the band
Words to songs
Image of band, posed and live

For all sides:
Specific colour scheme to represent the band/genre
Same font style as on webpage

Conventions of a CD/Digipak

Conventions of a CD/Digipak are:

• CD inside
• Images
• Colour Scheme
• Track list (back cover)
• Barcode
• Album name
• Insert inside cover

All of these things represent the band in a way which is easily recognisable for their target audience.

Music Video Idea Change

We have changed our idea of our song slightly as we have got further with our filming. We have stuck to the idea of Mackenzie being followed through a park and the part where he is sitting on a bed singing, but we have changed the idea of rewinding all of the previous footage to go back to the beginning. We decided to change this because it did not go with the song. We changed this to having a shot of leaves being blown across the floor at the quiet part of the song and then the image fading out to when the music starts up again. We thought that this fits in better with all the footage we have and it goes with the song. We will be filming this scene next as it is the last of our footage needed.

Comparison of Two CD Covers; The Editors vs. The Killers

The Editors and The Killers are both bands within the indie genre an target the same audience; ages 16-30. Although they are from the same genre, they are not completely the same in being effective in attracting their target audience through iconography. For example, The Editors use an image of a empty space to represent their music whereas The Killers use an image of themselves to represent their music.

Another factor which is different between the two album covers is the use of different font styles. The Editors use a simple font which is still effective as the white stand out on the plain black background. Whereas The Killers use their own style of font which is made from small circles accumulating to form the words 'The Killers'. Furthermore, the font style for the album name is different as The Editors use the same font for their album name as their band name, but The Killers use a more formal font style for their album name in comparison to their band name which is unique to them.

I believe that The Editors album cover is more effective in engaging the target audience as it leaves more to the imagination of what their music might be like and what genre they may be part of. Furthermore, The Killers album cover is more representative of the band rather than what their music is like whereas The Editors album cover is simple like their music choice.

Overall, from this comparison and the previous analysis of these album covers I have learnt that by sticking to the conventions of a CD cover you can be effective even if your design is simple.

CD Cover Analysis

1) What is the genre of music?

The genre of music for this band 'The Killers' is indie, much like my chosen band 'The Courteeners' as well as the other bands I've chosen to use for CD cover analysis.

2) Who is the target audience? How are they targeted?

The target audience for 'The Killers' is generally ages 16 - 25. They are targeted through the use of the colour scheme and images to attract their attention.

3) How successful is iconography used to promote the artist?

This album cover is much like most other indie band album covers by being simplistic and the use of iconography is individualistic to the band and is easily recognised by the audience. Furthermore, the band is shown on the cover and so are easily recognised as being represented by their music as well as their image.

CD Cover Analysis

1) What is the genre of music?

The genre of music for this band 'The Courteeners' is indie.

2) Who is the target audience? How are they targeted?

The target audience for 'The Courteeners' is generally ages 18 - 25. This age range is closer as the use of lyrics is sometimes explicit and not suitable for people under the age of 18. They are targeted through the use of the colour scheme and images to attract their attention.

3) How successful is iconography used to promote the artist?

This album cover is much like most other indie band album covers by being simplistic and the use of iconography is individualistic to the band and is easily recognised by the audience.