Digipaks ResearchBy James Powell

Stereophonics-You gotta go there to come back

The colours used on the cover are very simple using Black, White and Red. Furthermore the picture used does not present an image of the band instead a black and white

image of a young boy and male adult. The picture also fits the colour scheme using a black and white image, this image possibly connotes the social realistic attitude that many indie

bands try to represent/ present .

The CD also fits the colour scheme using a red image/logo with black and white text. The design is very graphic and eye catching and features a full track listing

with track duration information. The graphic and eye catching design relates to the originality side of indie bands to

create something new and unique.

The back cover reflects the front using another image of the boy and the pint further enforcing the presentation of social realism and general public of

Britain. Furthermore the track-listings also follow the format of the cover with the tracks in red text and the additional

information in black text.

The sleeve is designed almost like a notebook. The print makes the paper seem worn and old, in

addition the producers have printed hand written notes onto the paper. This style adds to the

realistic attitude of the digipak whilst furthermore making the item in general feel more personal and

connect with their audience more.

The realistic connotations of the design is further enforced using printed pictures that have been

designed to look like Polaroid's adding a real and authentic feel to the sleeve.

The Smiths-The Best of Volume 1The front cover features a black and

white image of one half of a biker couple in the 1960’s. In the image the woman is smoking and drinking. The

choice of featuring alcohol and cigarettes, like the last album, reflects

the normal social lives of everyday people to represent and communicate

their attitudes and indie style.

The CD design follows a different format of design to the rest of

the digipak using a black background with silver and grey text listing tracks and duration. However it stays consistent to

the covers minimalistic and simple design.

The back of the album reflects the colour scheme and format of the front cover. The track listing is the

same text but in black and the background is a group of people in a cafe. This further connotes the social lives but also the idea that the band represent normal peoples lives and interaction through their music and

image.

The sleeve for this album is far less involved than the previous album. It remains consistent with the format and colour scheme alternating

the main background colour between the white and pink.

The colours used are simple and minimalistic but also an unusual combination for an album

cover connoting the originality and individuality of the indie genre. Finally the use of

stereotypically feminine colours to represent the male group and also the use of a woman on the cover further supports this idea of new and original content to symbolise the independent

music.

Oasis-(What’s the story) Morning Glory?The cover depicts two men walking down Berwick

Street in London. The logo of the band is featured in the bottom right of the cover with the title running

across the top. Both parts of the title are simple and plain. This communicates the bands raw style and sound, the cover further communicates the idea

that the band were “of the people”. Meaning that they were not musically or personal influenced by

fame. Furthermore the cover features London communicating the industrial and social influence of

the band and their music.

These images of the band show them in both industrial areas, hotel rooms and arenas. The

choice of industrial areas shows the social realism similar to the other albums. However

the use arenas communicate the bands success and history.

The back cover of the album further supports the idea of

the normality and public representation of the band almost reflecting the cover.

Moreover the text also reflects the front cover using

the plain white design. The actual CD for album features the same plain text and logo used

consistently throughout the album. However the colour scheme

changes for the CD as it uses a solid mustard colour throughout the

design like The Smith’s CD

The sleeve features mostly images of the band, however on the first page there is a track listing and short description of the band. Like the last CD the design is plain and simple using only two colours and without any complicated features of

design. Further communicating the simple sound and real image of the band.

Arctic Monkeys-AMThe cover for AM is extremely simple and

minimalistic yet also very graphic and impactful. It shows the bands recent stylised, graphic style

both musically and lyrically. Like the other albums the

band do not appear on the cover at all.

The inside cover of the CD shows the band in a black and white graphic image .

The sharp and clear cut image further enforces the

idea of the band having developed a more

laboured and considerate style of music through the

use of graphic imagery.

The back cover shows the same graphic logo being linked through

the line in the middle. Furthermore the back

cover features the image of the bands

logo further communicating more

detail after the intrigue of the cover.

The sleeve like the previous two is very plain. In this sleeve the

only lists are the tracks and their lyrical content. The consistent use of the colour scheme also add to the overall basic yet stylised look

of the digipak.

The CD like the cover shows the same graphic logo/symbol. The

choice of presenting just a sound wave on the cover and CD connotes that this style of music will be more stripped back and

pure but done to in a very stylised and designed way.

Conclusion• In conclusion I have learnt that most indie bands use a simplistic but graphic design to

communicate the social realism that the genre is known to either present or represent within their music but also because they have to be intriguing and interesting. Furthermore the use of colour scheme and general format of the digipak remains consistent throughout not only the covers but also the sleeve packets, however the CD generally contains the basic logos or symbols however won’t have the more stylised look and will generally use a solid colour in

place of this. Moreover the colour scheme used is generally consistent and refined to a small but effective palette. Finally from these covers the band will not appear on the cover to

represent the music, instead a photo or symbol is used to represent a style or political/social message that is associated within the music.