Below I have deconstructed a previous students digipak from last year, from the song ‘Bros’ by Wolf Alice. I decided to choose this piece as the genre is indie and henceforth similar to my genre of indie rock. I have also decided to look into this digipak because they reached a level 4, this meaning i am able to see what they did well and understand what to include to make a effective and highly marked digipak.
Below is a link to the mark scheme for the digipak:
Here is the previous students work:
Framing a Shot
I believe this digipak includes good framing especially with the band members on the front of the digipak almost looking down at the camera breaking the forth wall. However I think the overall composition is fairly basic and plain in an artistic point of view, this is because there is no exciting angles used and all images have been taken simple way with no parts of the image that automatically stand out from everything.
Shot Distances
All of the shots in this digipak are taken from the same distance all taken approximately at eye level. However for the genre of the album I feel there was no need to use different shot angles because the actual photographs are innovative and interesting through the use of paled down colours, and the sense of a older more vintage style.
Appropriate to Task
This digipak was definitely a professionally finished product due to each cover linking to one and other in a connecting way through the use of colours, rustic and urban effect.
Mise-en-scene Selection
A fantastic use of mise-en-scene, the band members look alternatively dressed, in pale colours which match each of the other covers of the digipak. You are able to see they have stuck with a certain colour scheme throughout the work which makes the digipak look really effective and fit into the genre of indie. Each side of the digipak includes a decayed theme with worn down walls, graffiti and broken window frames.
Manipulating Photos
I like the slow shutter speed image of the sign post as it gives a skill full and innovative aspect to the digipak, with the only colour from that image popping out is the blue. You are able to see the theme of this band just through the use of digipak, they are of a indie genre, a group of friends and are alternative who stand out from the crowd. However indie band album covers normally include illustrations and photoshop rather than just photographs and they very rarely include the band on the front cover of the digipak.
Language and Register
You are able to tell straight away the genre of the digipak because of the pale colours such as soft browns, blues and and whites used. You can see the tone of voice for the lead singer in the band due to the overall pale, calming and faded colours.
Integration
The overall digipak is well thought out and put together nicely, there is a nice broad mixture of images used yet they all flow and match each other in a way to make them link. There is no part shown on the digipak where there is random and unlinking aspects, this is good because the digipak works well together and almost tells a story or the band living a alternative lifestyle in a more urban run down area.
Layout and Page Design
A brilliant layout for a indie based digipak, all flowing and well edited to make all of the colours and locations work together. Each side of the digipak matches one and other and there is no missing or random parts to it.
Fonts and Texts Sizes
I am personally not so keen on the hand drawn title due to the rest of the digipak being made using photography, however illustrations is a key feature in indie digipak conventions. I like the bright white colours of the title as it stands out and gives a bold effect so the audiences’ eyes will focus directly onto the album cover. The font of the title works well with the genre as it is rustic and almost looks like graffiti as shown on one of the digipak covers. This links the digipak together as a whole. I believe the name of the album should stand out more as it almost blends in with the background.
Use ICT Appropriately
The overall look of the digipak is professional and you are able to see the group have used photoshop to their advantage but in a rather basic way, by dulling down the colours and applying the title to the front cover of the album. However the use of photoshop was done well as the colourings are effective and it has helped the digipak come to life and become a clear indie band album.