RA: Digipack - Final

In what ways does your print product use, develop or challenge forms of other similar products? 

• I chose to have the subject of the photograph slightly off-centre on the front panel of the digipak. This creates a more eye-catching visual as it is unconventional, and therefore will encourage a more focused consumption of the product.
• However, other aspects of the layout conform to the more traditional reading path. For example, the text on the front panel is presented within the rule of thirds. It is also conventional in that it shows the protagonist from the video, therefore adding to the artist's meta-narrative. It is common for record labels to encourage inclusion of the artist, as it helps to add to their star construct by advertising them to potential consumers.
• For the inside panels, I chose to display the lyrics of the song. Many digipak albums contain a booklet of lyrics, but as this is a single so only contains one song, I chose to adapt this convention by using the inside panels as a lyric booklet. The right panel is where the CD would go.

How does your product link to the other print and moving image products your group has constructed? 

• I chose to shoot the subject with this stance to create the shadow effect on her face so as to tie in with the message of celebrity culture that our song and video connotes.
• As well as this, it creates a visual link as the use of lighting, shadows and silhouettes is a recurring visual element within our video.
• I decided to adapt my idea so that the back panel of the digipack is made up of mostly white negative space with a diamond in the centre.
• I did this for a number of reasons: the reference to the artists stage name 'Marina & the Diamonds,' the suggestion of a record label to create a professional look, and to link all of our products together as the video, poster and digipak all feature this diamond image.

What other techniques have you used in the software not already mentioned? To what effect? 

• I created the smoky effect behind the text by using the eyedropper tool to select the shade from the front cover, and then used a textured brush on a low opacity to fill in the background.
• I also used the eyedropper tool to select the shade of green from the dress to use for some of the text on the back and inside panels.
• I used the text tool to add the lyrics, titles and 'small print' to the digipak. The main font I used was 'Myriad Pro,' and I also used the italic feature for the artist name on the front panel.
• I used the crop and eraser tools to fit the various layers to their section of the template. I also used the eraser tool on low opacity and soft brush to create the feathered edge to the background layer for the inside panels.