Album Art & Digipak Research & Analysis

Before I commenced work on designing my digipak, I decided that it would be a good idea to research into the codes and conventions of actual publications in order to create album art that was both visually pleasing and representative of what is commonplace in the industry.

I thought that it would be ideal to start by analysing the original album art and casing for the release of the song that my group and I are going to be using for our music video, which is Nine2Five by The Ordinary Boys vs. Lady Sovereign.

On the front cover, the artwork includes basic information such as the record name and collaborating artists' names and their visual graphics. In small print underneath of these images includes the text 'In the b-unique corner' for The Ordinary Boys and 'In the Island Def/Jam corner' for Lady Sovereign in reference to the battle between the pair's record labels which this collaboration is billed as and this is further backed-up by the artist and band wearing boxing gloves in their photos. It is also worthwhile noting that in the top left-hand corner of the design, which appears to be stylised as a poster for a sports event that would be posted on billboards on the street, features the wording 'Polydor Records Promotes' as a clever way of mentioning the record label for the track as a promoter for the match between the artists in the song. Although this track doesn't feature any explicit language within it, if it did a parental guidance logo would've been printed on this side of the artwork.

Printed within the inside sleeve cover of the single is the various institutional pieces of information that are required to be published on a record, including the writers, composers, publishers, producers, mixers, record label, recording facilities and websites. At first glance what appears to be a pattern spray painted onto the design of the digipak actually becomes The Ordinary Boys' record label's logo, b-unique, a feature unbeknown to the viewer. Also included on this side of the album art of website addresses to both artist and band as well as their record label and social networks. Further to this, codes which allow the listener to purchase a ringtone via text are also included as are the terms and conditions and barcode for the product. A track list is also included on the side and this can be viewed even when the casing is closed.

Again following suit with the rest of the single, the CD continues with the continuous theme shown throughout the record, using the same colour scheme and fonts throughout as well as images, another pair of boxing gloves, linked to the front cover. At the bottom of the CD, the record label companies involved logos are shown again and copyright is also included around the edge of the disc, not forgetting a track list which has been placed underneath of the collaborating artist and band's names.