Digipak analysis

This image of a "Guns and Roses" CD case shows the difference between standard albums and CDs when compared to Digipaks (this example is quite old and outdated, however the same concepts apply). The case itself is usually made of a different material entirely, if not slightly, and features more of a card feel to allow for a soft look, almost luxury, due to it's unconventional appearance, as well as the obvious folding and compartments featured. Furthermore, for production and ease of creation and assembling, this card material proves to be much more efficient and cheaper than multiple hinges and plastic moulds, as well as meaning that the artwork and text can be printed directly onto the body itself opposed to a thin piece of paper tucked into the back of the front panel. In general, we see that Digipaks look generally more professional, clean, smart, soft, unmechanical and solely functional. Plus, the card body can be integrated into plastic moulds for the CD to grip, and for small books to slot into pouches or slits in the actual cover, which can be 'opened' by squeezing each side lightly to make an opening for the CD or books to slide right out, the grip from the card when unpressed keeping the contents inside, essentially.

Modern Digipaks seem to involved more action and general fan-desired content due to their exclusivity, as a Digipak is essentially aimed at dedicated fans, making it's purpose that of collection, enjoyment and investment into the artist as a business, fanbase and to convey that sense of dedication between artist and fan, both ways. The idea behind releasing a Digipak is not only a record of their achievements, but also as a way for fans to have a piece of the journey, and to own an exclusive part of their career. Upon analysis, it's basically a marketing technique where fans are convinced that this particular copy of their work is somewhat exclusive due to the books, artwork, general unconventional aesthetics and small extras included (such as new songs much unheard of, or extra content for the money), in my opinions. I don't fully believe this, but it is definitely an element involved, and to truly dedicated fans, they're sometimes forced/compelled to buy this item to aquire it for their collection despite it including content they may already possess, much like a child purchasing the same action figure due to a new coloured costume that cannot be obtained on it's own, or someone buying an exclusive product despite the higher price just because of it's limited availability (such as the Anchorman 2 Tango cans).

The two digipaks for "KoRn" and Linkin Park" feature very similar elements, possibly due to the shared genre. They have prominently light and dark extremities (tone-wise) opposed to a confliction on tone, colour and hue, as well as featuring colours like grey, red, black and brown, an accent colour present, also.

Notably, the title is quite clearly not always central, but is placed where it best serves it's function; Korn have a theme of black and white photographs used with the digipak (including the small booklet of photographs tucked away in the front cover's sleeve), which are also quite functional for highlighting/distinguishing the text desired to be read and seen, Korn using the title and content list to do their job on the left-hand 3rd of the cover to allow for the image to have a prominent presence, also due to Korn not having any kind of symbol apart from the logo itself meaning that their 'mark' doesn't take up enough room to look good on the cover with the photograph used. On the other hand, Linkin Park use the full cover for their digipak due to a symbol being used often, as well as their absence of any kind of photography, meaning that they can use the full cover with no worry of disrupting anything. The colours used are similar to that of Korn, the background colours being somewhat soft and darker toned than that of the title and logo (the lack of sharp contrast in tone between colours of the palette used making for a soft 'sandy' look, as if old tarnished paper or dirt is a theme to the digipak's contents, whereas Korn may have a story or narrative in mind with their digipak due to the extensive, and promoted, photography), which makes for a pleasing, rough, soft weathered look, suiting the genre. As a last point, they both feature a warning for their content, "parental advisory", which is to safeguard younger people from consuming information that the parents may be unaware of or disapproving of, such as swearing or violent themes.

The back covers are similar to eachother, as well as similar to their front covers; the colour palette being carried across evidently, the text also being the same as before. Linkin Park again features their focus on the centre of the space used, whereas Korn retain their style and place it in a column along the left hand 3rd. Both feature small bits of similar information at the bottom with content regarding the label they're partnered with, distributors etc, as well as a barcode in the upper right corner. 

The compatibility of the Linkin park (LP) Digipak CD(s) is displayed on the side. as well as the slit where the book is held on the front cover. The material is tough yet flexible to ensure that it can be pulled around and retain it's value and form.

The spines of the Digipaks feature these slits for content and booklets, as well as information on the actual Digipak itself, making it easier for customers to find the product in the shelves when stacked alongside eachother, as well as for browsing collections people have for the particular one they want. It also has quite specific information, the symbol/logo being present, and the edition/album/band name all there to show what exact part of the collection it is for easier navigation for purchasing or simply just finding. On top of this, the spine also has an element of nostalgia; people with collections often like to line them all up side by side to display the spines so as to have the satisfaction of a complete collection, the spines being different as the artists evolved and grew yet keeping some of the same qualities, such as the Harry Potter films which featured Harry's portrait getting older with each edition.

Linkin Park have a similar spine to Korn, the band name simply being emboldened to show who the artists are for their fans to locate their music, with the details in that red accent colour. The logo is also present, and acts as a well known and eye catching symbol, which is frequently used in a variety of media forms, including car brand ads, game companies and computer programs.

The spine also obviously has the simple function of allowing for a box-like container when assembled, holding the many contents inside well, and allowing for the 'net' to be folded with some actual depth opposed to an instant fold, making it for too '2D' for any amount of exclusive content, as well as looking like it's bulging and untidy.

The spines will only be roughly 5mm across, the actual squares to make up the body of the digipak being 120x120mm, making the height 120mm and the total length 450mm.