Analysing a digipak

Arctic Monkeys

The genre is not made obvious by the cover, however the colour scheme is an indication. Indie Rock artists normally use dark colours for their album covers and the Arctic Monkeys seem to stick to a black and white theme throughout their new album and posters. The main image on the front is sound waves, this is a continuing theme as “DO I WANNA KNOW?” official music video is an animation of a sound wave forming different shapes.

The back cover sticks to the same colour scheme and the sound wave continues on to the back. There is a list of the songs on the CD and in small print the name of the record company (Domino Recording Co.), website URL for the Arctic Monkeys and a website URL for the recording companies website. This album cover, other than Arctic Monkey fans, will appeal to customers who enjoy similar artists because they usually have similar covers.

This is the inside of the cover, there is an image of the band members. The black and white theme is continued with a dramatic picture of the band. Recently the band have changed their style, as they have all got older they have developed their style. Alex Turner released his first album when he was 16 years old, he used to perform in jeans and a polo. As this picture shows he has a formal style for the new album.

Arctic Monkey fans might find a digipak more appealing because of photo inside. A typical representation of teenagers interested in Indie Rock is that they decorate their room with posters of their favourite artists. Customers who purchase this can stick it on their wall because it is lighter than a plastic CD cover. Both sides are pockets containing a lyric book and the CD.

This is the lyric book inside of one of the pockets. The theme is still black and white and the cover of the book is the same Arctic Monkeys logo as on the back of the main cover. Inside there are lyrics for every song on the album and on the last page it lists who produced each song and where it was recorded.

This may be appealing to Arctic Monkeys fans who like to have the lyrics in front of them and enjoy the extras you can’t get if you purchase the album off ITunes. Customers who purchase the album without knowing any of the songs might find this useful because they can learn the songs.

The disk is in the other pocket inside a black protective sleeve, again it continues the colour theme and the sound wave. The CD packaging reminds me of a vinyl because they normally come in a bigger cardboard sleeve and a smaller protective plastic sleeve. The costumes and hair styles of the band have a retro fill to them which has reflected on to the CD.

By analysing this digipak I have developed my understanding and have an insight on what is required when I make my own. I now know the different components and how the image of the band effects the look of the merchandise.