BLOG 9; DIGIPAK Research

The DIGIPAK version of a physical album is a form of paper/card board based CD packaging. The most common CD we usually see comes in plastic packaging, which is called a jewel-case. The jewel-case packaging is one that protect CDs very well, so it is the most common used type of packaging on the market.

Post Malone 'CLAPTONE CLOSER' album

History of DIGIPAK-

Purpose of DIGIPAK As a more premium choice, DIGIPAK is a type of physical paper box packaging, and in addition to the disc tray, it's form is like a booklet that can be opened for the user to view the CD inside. Its disadvantages are that it is relatively soft, so the hard protection performance is not as good as a jewel-case. On the other hand, the DIGIPAK version of an album is eco-friendly and more scarce on the market, so this version of the CD album is exquisite, thus will be bought by higher prices as well. As result, if a DIGIPAK is very well preserved, this version will have a higher value for collection and appreciation compared to normal CDs in the future.

Codes and conventions of DIGIPAK

A digipak normally has between four and six panels including a front cover, back cover, spine, and disc impression. There must be pictures representing the themes of the album and artist as a key convention, the theme throughout the whole digipak has to be continuous in terms of color sense, and also the genre being presented has to be clear to fans and audiences. A traditional trademark sign/logo/picture of the artist is very likely to appear on the front cover of a digipak for easy recognition.

The front cover of a digipak has the name of the album or an eye catching picture/logo/name of the artist. The Inside left would have artist information/booklet of lyrics. The Inside right is where the digipak holds the disc. The back cover is where the tracks are listed, the barcode, the distributor info/recording info, the band website, and production credits/thankyous. Finally the spine of the digipak will have the name of the record company/logo, band/artist, album, and the serial number for identification.

Travis Scott's album 'RODEO'

Imagine Dragons' album 'NIGHT VISIONS'

Ed Sheeran's album 'DIVIDE' digipak

Ed Sheeran's 'DIVIDE' album comes in an unusual digipak compared to the conventional ones as there is no image of the artist. Being a successful singer and song writer in the UK, many people already know what he looks like, so by not adding a photo of him or a personal logo on the digipak cover creates a focus on the songs available on the album. The color scheme of the digipak as seen above is blue and black. The front cover has a blue background but uses a slight gradient in different places as some places have lighter and darker blue patterns so that it gives off a 'tie dye' t-shirt impression to the fan/user.

The black and bold divide sign which is also the album's title 'DIVIDE' is clearly displayed on the front cover, and in the middle section of the sign it has white text of the title. The back cover has a blue background with black texts that are in a unique handwriting which is quite messy but still presents the names of the songs included in the album.

The inside left of the digipak has Ed Sheeran's old-fashioned love ballad 'Perfect's lyrics in the 'DIVIDE' album, and this is to promote and popularize the song inspired by and dedicated to his then-fiancee (now wife) Cherry Seaborn. The inside right is where the digipak holds the physical disk that's printed with the same divide sign as the cover, and finally the bar code is laid out of the left side of the album for purchase.