Ancillary Task One - Digipak

One of my two chosen ancillary tasks is to create a digipak for the album's release. I've never heard of a digipak before so my first thing to do is research what they are.

A digipak is a patent style of CD or DVD packaging. 

They typically consist of gatefold binding with one or more plastic trays inside to hold the disc. Digipak-style packaging is typically used for CD singles or special editions of CDs. The packaging is less abrasive than jewel cases and so it tends to wear relatively quickly. Licensed digipak manufacturers recommend coating the raw printed paper with a protective UV coating in order to prevent this. 

Manufacturers have sought to reduce environmental impact by introducing recycled components into the trays. One manufacturer announced a 100% post-consumer PET tray made from recycled bottles and another removed the plastic tray completely, replacing it with a paper tray made from sugarcane and egg carton.

 In order to create my digipak I need 6 photos, one of which will have the song names on. Therefore, I need to chose my best 6 photos I took during filming and then upload and edit them. I want to make my digipak stand out against others on the market and so I will be creative with my editing.

The first thing I notice when I look at the digipak for Rihanna's album Loud is the colour. The main colour is red, which could be due to the fact she had recently dyed her hair and was trying to create a new image for herself. The use of red roses to contrast against her skin tone makes it bold and eye catching, allowing it to stand out to potential buyers which is key when trying to sell and album. The colour red connotes love and passion, both strong emotions, and could give an indication of what to expect from the album itself. The fact that the artist is looking down and not straight at the camera implies she is deep in thought, highlighting that this could be a very meaningful album.

The title itself, "Loud", implies that the album may be very upbeat. There is no clear indication of the genre of the album. "Loud" connotes R'n'B, but the use of thin white font, instead of something bolder, refutes this and could present something more emotional and meaningful.

The spacing of the title gives the digipak a unique look, and therefore suggests that the artist is different and unique in her style. Her name is at the top of the digipak, in a very small font, conveying that artist is already popular enough for people to recognise her without having to see her name.