Production (Digipack Design)

 

COLOUR OF THE DIGIPACK:

 I decided to use acrylic paint to design the digipack because I wanted to give it some texture which would emphasise the "collage" theme I am going for, shown through the arts and craft involved in this. 

Acrylic paint because of its viscous nature and thickness that would help save time since only one coat may be needed. Unlike, poster paint which is more liquid and has colour that wouldn't be as vibrant in the final results. 

Overview of the materials used: 

I chose a combination of black and white which was inspired by this picture I found on Pinterest: 

Reference

I chose this for multiple reasons: 

1. The contrast between black and white makes it more alluring since it makes it stand out. 
2. The symbolism of the black being the past and the white representing the future and how the artist is ready to let go of these feelings: 
• White = new beginnings 
• Black = burying the past and letting go. 
3. It's simple colours (i.e. unlike hot pink) that would prevent consumers from being distracted, so they can focus on the graphic design that will be layered on top. 

The painting process: 

At first I tried to replicate an off - white, almost ecru colour to replicate a "diary page colour" to add a more rustic look.

This is it with the first coat, but I didn't like how patchy it was so I added another layer. 

This is the second layer. At this point I was unsure about the colour decision because the extra layer made it look more peach than what I was trying to go for. 

I proceeded to paint the other side black, to test out how the colours would harmonise first, before changing my decision.

I then decided on the colours of the spine, and I implemented the contrast by adding, the white/ecru spine on the black side of the board, whilst adding a black coloured spine on the white/ecru side of the board.

black board and white spine

white board and black spine 

This is the first prototype of the colour decisions I've made for the exterior. 

Second Attempt: 

I didn't like how the colours seemed mismatched, since the lighter board turned more peach than I'd imagined. So, I gave it another go. 

EXTERIOR:

Front (White): I am now happy with this colour for the front board because it looks cleaner than the previous off - white colour, which will help the graphic design to stand out more than it would have. 

Back (Black): I originally set this colour for the front page, but because it would have the most graphic design and writing, I figured that setting it as the back page would make it look more structured, and less messy to those consumers who would buy it. 

spine gradient: The gradient on the spine helps to incorporate both colours to avoid any clash, and rough lines, because whilst black and white are contrasting colours, I also wanted to emphasise that they are harmonious and go well together. 

INTERIOR (first attempt) :

For the interior, I matched the colour of the CD pocket and the letter pocket, in accordance to its exterior colour. This is to provide continuity and professionalism to the digipack's design. 

I incorporated some red into in the interior, as a pop colour so there's an element of surprise for the consumers. However, it is also a symbolism for the letter pocket, and how the letter will be written as a way for the artist to pour her heart out, a connotation to how the letter and the words in it, comes from a special place in their heart. 

Here, I add a small quantity of black paint on to the orange - red paint, to deepen the colour. 

Here I hae decided to make it a gradient to give the interior more dynamic, and create more dimension, rather than being plain and having a flat solid colour. 

 

Result: 

As an experiment, I added this heart using a painting knife to give a more 3 - dimensional effect. However, I don't include this in my second and final attempt because aesthetically, it's out of place, and upon realisation, it made the digipack look less professional. 

INTERIOR (second and final attempt): 

I kept the gradient for the pocket, because it adds that pop of colour that the audience may not have anticipated. 

Now, white is the colour of the CD pocket and Black is the main colour of the letter pocket, considering I wanted to have some continuity with the exterior colours. 

I am pleased with the letter pocket colour because now, the colours blend together and don't clash anymore, unlike when it used to be white, making the gradient look out of place, and not making any sense. 

GRAPHIC DESIGN: 

(EDITING PHOTOS)

apps used: 

Snap seed

Dazz Cam 

Un - edited photos (shot using the Canon EOS DSLR camera): 

Setting: on the streets at night, because of the romantic connotation behind night strolls. 

Theme: Memories 

Setting: School common room 

Theme: memory of him snapping a photo of her holding her camera. 

Editing process: 

Dazz cam: 

I chose these two cameras to experiment with because they both showed the most promising "film" filter effect, which I really needed because I wanted the pictures to look vintage so that it can further emphasise the theme of memories. 

Results: 

CPM35  Filter: 

This filter had more grain, and added a hazy coat over the photos, which made it look "film like". Unlike the other filter, this one adds a green hue to the pictures, which is a great contrast to the pictures I took, that had orange lighting. Overall, this filter made the pictures look more "film - like". 

D Classic Filter: 

This filter added white tiny specs, and a layer of burnt orange coat over the pictures, which made it look like expired film. I liked this filter because it gave these pictures the saturation it needs considering there's a main light source that I wanted to make more illuminated. 

Snap seed: 

I used this app to make add a black and white filter to the pictures. 

This is the section I used to choose the filters from: 

(The main filters I used is H02 to H03 because these offer the richest black and white contrast, without adding any coloured tint unlike the other filters available.) 

The process: 

Results: 

Stickers used: 

I have sourced these from Pinterest. 

I chose these because the images are of objects that have connotations to romantic memories. For instance, the thumb print that forms a heart. 

CD Design: 

 A part of the digipack is the CD itself, and instead of leaving it plain and in its original form, I decided to design it too, so it can be cohesive with the digipack's overall theme.

 

Before:

I painted the CD with black acrylic paint. 

I used masking tape to be able to write on the CD.

The masking tape adds to the rustic look of the digipack. 

The "with deep regrets" has to do with the message of the song, and how the artist regrets breaking things off with the man she was in a relationship with. 

Collage design: 

Reference pictures from Pinterest: 

I have chosen these pictures because they all have an element of "collage" making in them, the messy yet structured information and picture filled - page of memories, is what I am going for. 

QR CODE:

As a form of promotion, I decided to create a QR code that would direct anyone with the digipack, so they can get a scope of the behind the scenes activities, and gain access to additional content by watching the music video and the lyric video. 

The QR code process: 

I used the "QR code Generator - powered by bitly" 

(Click on this image, to direct you to the link) 

First, I added the Youtube link to the Song's music video. This is will be the main video displayed on the site that the QR code directs the users to. 

Then I chose the design, colour and the structure of the code itself. 

I chose this tan - ish colour because it coordinates well with the rustic look of the digipack. 

I chose black font and logo colour because I wanted some consistency in the digipack, since it fits well with the black side of the digipack. 

The logo is just a YouTube/video icon so users will get the hint as to where they will be directed to. 

I chose this baby pink colour for the site because it creates a softness that contrasts the dark nature of the digipack. In addition, pink is a very romantic colour, so using this also implies that. 

I then added this photo as the photo that will pop when the page is loading. 

Here, I have added details for "credentials" 

I had to look at Ariana Grande's Youtube 'bio' to get an idea of the information that I would add on here. 

Here, I have added details for "credentials" 

I had to look at Ariana Grande's Youtube 'bio' to get an idea of the information that I would add on here. 

Example (her YouTube bio for the music video - "We can't be friends"):

 

From this, I was also inspired to create a fake music label:

"E.C.Major © 2024 Cruzscendo Records Inc."

Final Form:  

Demonstrations: 

The letter in the "letter pocket":

In today's society, my target audience (teenage girls) use online music streaming platforms like Spotify and apple music, all accessible via their digital devices, which makes it convenient. Unfortunately this also means there's very little demand for the digipack. So, to entice viewers into buying this product, I created a concept that the person who buys the digipack will receive a unique hand written letter. This is so they have something to look forward to, and collect, which will help boost sales levels. 

Here is a concept letter I have written for this final digipack design: 

I have addressed this letter to the reader, and not to anyone specific to make the readers feel like they're a part of this song/single. 

The paper I have used is ripped off of my diary, the colour is similar to masking tape, which makes it cohesive to the theme, rather than just using a normal white paper. I have also scrunched the paper up so that it seems like a letter that's been kept in the pack of someone's pocket, for a long time. 

Implying the idea that this letter has been written, but the person who has written it, hesitated on sending it to the ideal recipient. 

Finally, I made sure the message of the letter didn't stray too far away from the song's main theme, of heartache and heartbreak. 

My Final digipack design: 

EXTERIOR:

INTERIOR:

I am now going to start the promotional process of this project.