Pre - Production (Digipack Experiments)

 

Here are 8 of the digipack styles I liked the most upon my research in Pinterest: 

 I like this one because it's simple and secure, so the CD won't fall out easily (which might be a considering factor for consumers if I were thinking about mass manufacturing). 

I like this one because it also ensures the CD is secure. However, this time, it has a minimalistic style to it, which has been a noticeable trend in today's society. It would also be an advantage in mass manufacturing because of how simple it is.

I like this one because the rectangular box reminds me of a TV or a Cinema screen, which could be designed (through graphics or drawing) to tell a story, maybe a story relating to the song on the CD. 

I like this style because it suits with the theme of the song I made. The pocket leaves room for a letter that could be customised, for marketing purposes, it could be the driving factor for consumers since they might look forward to what kind of letter or note they'll receive in the digipack. 

I like this because it feels more modern than the digipack nowadays, it looks like a container and designing the exterior with different graphics could make a really cool, almost like a piece of "art" to be displayed around the house. 

I like this one because of its simplicity, and security. It makes it really convenient especially if it were to be handed out to a crowd of people. The size (not being too bulky or too big) makes it really handy for carrying around.  

I like this one because it seems like an envelope, which fits well with the theme of my song. 

I like this one because (despite being similar to the previous style) it is shaped to look more like a love letter, which fits with the theme of my song. 

I am now going to experiment by choosing only 3 of the 8 styles I have picked previously,

Having had looked at 8 pre - existing designs, I want to shortlist this down to three. I would then experiment on these three designs and see if they were fit for purpose. I have a certain style I want to apply to my design and by experimenting, I can see if things are going to work out. I want the digipack to be an extension of the video, a teen romance, by experimenting I can see if I get this effect, how I can use representation as an extension of my video. 

Here are the 3 styles:

 

 

PLANNING:

First I worked out the dimensions of a typical CD, this will help decide how big or small we can make the gaps of the actual digipack, so the CD can properly fit. 

Then, we worked out the dimensions of a square considering the dimensions of the CD. This will be really important because all 3 of the styles have square bases or are squared. 

FIRST STYLE:

Style 1 dimensions: 

SECOND STYLE:

Style 2 dimensions (it took me a couple of tries to get this correct and proper because the design is more complex than the others): 

(I ended up having to alter these measurements later on because I wanted there to be more room inside for the CD).

THIRD STYLE:

Prototypes: 

(used: Card paper, glue stick, hot glue gun, ruler and scissors)

First style:

I began by taking the dimensions considering the size of the CD, then mapped out the shape of the digipack using a pencil. I made sure there were 0.5cm gap between the two sections, so there's room for folding. 

After I cut it, I made slight changes to the length of this side: 

This adjustment was done because I didn't like how high up it is, I felt that the contents inside were not going to be seen. After this, I stuck the corners together using a glue stick.

Here's the final outcome:

Second style (attempt no.1):

In this first attempt, I managed to make the curvature of each flaps, the same. However, I made the flaps all of equal lengths, which is where I went wrong because it meant I couldn't open and close it like an envelope, since the flaps didn't overlap each other.  

Second style (final attempt):

This time, I made sure 2 sets of flaps were long enough to overlap each other. 

Length:

Horizontal flaps - 9cm 

Vertical flaps - 4 cm

Once it successfully looked like an envelope, I drew a line down the middle of the flap above, using a pencil and marked 3cm lines just above the curvature to form holes which will be used important for this digipack's closure.

(I mapped out the holes made on the flap above, to the flap below so the holes are aligned. 

The difference between my experiment and the photo reference is that, instead of trying to achieve a heart shaped opening and closing system, I used a bow instead. This way, it's more practical since it's more secure. Aesthetically I also prefer it this way, than the heart shaped since it seems more unique. 

However, I don't like that it looks a lot like a wedding or a birthday giveaway, so if I were to use this style, I must design the exterior to make it look less like a giveaway gift. 

Third Style: 

This design was straightforward and simple. I just mapped out the dimensions and then cut it.

Then I folded the left and right flaps and stuck the sides down using a glue stick. I made sure the glue was at least a centimeter of the sides, which provided enough support but ensured the gaps are still big enough for the CD and other contents to fit inside. 

Extra experiment: 

For this one, I used the CD case 'insert' as a stencil to cut out a rectangle that can be folded to form 2 squares. I then used a hot glue gun to stick the case inside, which will be used to secure the actual CD. 

FINAL DECISION: 

I choose to work with style no.1 of digipack design because it personally looks the most professional out of the 4 I have experimented. The proceeding 2 styles looked more and more like event give aways to me, than an actual digipack. Although, they were unique and refreshing, I felt that this is the most fitting style. 

If I was thinking of mass producing, I would probably not choose this, since the other designs provided a simpler look, which may be cheaper in production. However, this style to me looks simple yet very dynamic for exterior and interior designs. 

I will now start to refine this design's features. I will look at different card stocks and see if different card thickness will affect the folding, whether I have to add extra dimensions for thicker card. 

I will also experiment with different glue. Hot glue is good, but it's thick and I don't want there to be lumps in the design.

Super glue is an obvious choice and I will just make sure that the card is nonporous. The same can be said for PVA glue, it's watery and will wrinkle the card/paper.