Planning Digipak - Miss Miller

This A digipak is usually made from a stronger paperboard and material. It is a very good quality and is likely to last for a long time after purchase, this makes it suitable for them being a good collectable item. The outer bindings have plastic trays for the CD's which also make it a lot more durable for the audience. They act as a special way to promote an album in a particular way that allows the audience to feel as though they have been 'blessed' with a special edition version. Digipaks are completely different to the average jewel case. Digipaks are made of much stronger materials which will last a lot longer. In addition to this digipaks are more personal to the audience as they contain a very touching 'thank you' from the artist. Additional tracks are sometimes added to make the Digipak a lot more unique compared to the average jewel CD case.  There are a number of images that can also be added to the digipak as it create a more informative booklet about the digipak. Overall due to the more personal elements in the didipak we are able to add a consecutive feature to the digipak that involves the audience heavily through a more personal approach. This is something I have considered dramatically. To be able to build a relationship with the artist and audience just from creating a successful digipak. 

That particular colours that i have decided to use convey to the indie genre rather nicely, i am able to see how they balance the overall atmosphere that i am trying to create when making my digipak. The colours blue that are planned to be present while having the dark blue water in the background of some of the images used on the digipak. This is aimed to create a follow along with the very chilled and peaceful atmosphere of the album. It would flow just like a river would. The blue signifies the calming atmosphere that is present in her emotional yet very 'real' songs on the album. This is due to her being an indie artist who wants to be displayed as someone who is very emotive in her music. In addition to this i plan for the artist to wear a pink flowey top and have her name in a subtle pink colour. This will allow me to create a very stereotypical feminine image for the artist. This demonstrates the particular songs that may also be present. The colour pink conveys with the love theme that is definitely going to be presented in the musical lyrics and videos of her upcoming album. Finally the colour brown is aimed to be used as it is the colour of the boots and her hair. This neutral colour relates to the indie genre as it complies with its ideology of being neutral and very natural for the audience. This allows the audience to be able to build a relationship with the artist as they will relate her to being someone who isn't artificial and in fact very down to earth, just through the colours that she uses as an artist in her digipak.

The conventions of the digipack remain very true and converted to the genre. As a creator I am able to manipulate the conventions of the indie genre and allow them to be present in the digipak. For example this can be seen in the particular body language of the artist on the message to fan slide. Her hands are covering her face and this enables the audience to see her hiding. This connotes the indie genre as many indie artists are seen as being very real and true to themselves. The overall impression this gives of is that the artist is actually rather shy and is able to display herself as vulnerable. The audience will see her as more of a friend and not someone who stands above them as they will ultimately feel in control of her album and secrets in the songs. This allows them to be seen as people who are very vulnerable and the audience take empathy in this. The audience will then feel as though they will be able to take care of there artist and relate to there songs in a successful way as they may feel a personal connection. The fact that the artist is portrayed in this particular way, allows me to manipulate the genre by abusing the fact that audience members are more prone to but digipaks of indie artists that appear very down to earth. This relates well to Amy-Michaela as an artist, as she herself is presented in this particular manor. A vulnerable artist who is just trying to show her true self to the world. This overall representation of the artist fits the conventions of the indie genre as it provides an artist that remains true to her 'roots' she is very strong willed and is not swayed easily by other things such as fame and fortune. This overall theme of someone who is very down to earth and not materialistic relates to many indie artist and the image they want to create within their genre. 

The particular images I plan to use in my digipak display how strongly I am able to trying to make a very conventional indie digipak. The images used are not images that are just intended to show off the artist in a luxurious light, this overall theme is supposed to create an artist whom appears as very down to earth not in your face. The images are not going to be taken in very typically glamorous and wealthy setting. The aim here is to set the scene in typical, but isolated settings that allow the artist it again seem vulnerable. The plain everyday locations used convey to the audience as they will be able to see the artist in a way that allows her to be portrayed as a friend. Not someone who has more power then them. This way the audience are able to feel more at home and invited into buying this digipak rather then just envying the artist. This is also supported by her body language in the images as she is very neutral and sometimes emotional looking in her digipak, this again displays her vulnerability. She is not seen as someone who is posing proactively or seductively to appeal to the audience. She is being seen as someone who is 'normal' she is sometimes presented as shy like in the images where she covers her face and turns her back. This enables the audience to see her in a particular light that will appeal to them as they will ultimately build a relationship with the artist and see her as a friend. Overall I want images that produce a very 'ordinary' artist. I aim to create a theme that allows the audience to recognise the images or know a particular location that may be similar, e.g the forest or a field. 

The layout and design of the digipak is designed to be very inviting. This will encourage the audience to buy the digipak as they will feel as though they are being given a special insight into her life. The planned presentation of the bricks on the CD cover has been designed to make the audience feel as though they are listening to the CD and the artists life experiences. The layered bricks indicate the time and effort put into the album and digipak as well as the multiple layers that are made to connote her life and her emotions in her songs. The audience are able to notice this particular type of message and feel very lucky and even blessed to be a fan of an artist that thinks of every little detail. In addition to this the typical brick wall is often very stereotypical to the indie genre as the audience are able to connote it to the very urban theme that indie genres sometimes adapt too. This is due to the fact that the two main locations used in the indie genre are either very rural or urban related to the music video. This allows the audience to be able to recognise the theme in the music video and relate it to the digipak allowing them to be able recognise the location of this particular planned CD. The aim of this is to show the audience the struggles that the artist has faced to 'build' this wall. Each song can be presented as a struggle and a message from the artist and her journey. This builds a relationship with the audience as it enables them to feel as though they are being brought on this journey and are able to witness the struggles the artist has overcome just by the design and layout alone.

On the front cover the artist is able to present there aim of being very emotive. I have decided to use very particular typography throughout my whole digipak to allow a certain theme to be carried out during the digipak. The font of the writing will look like it flows well and this is due to the fact that it will appear handwritten, this allows the audience to feel as though they are reading the diary. Immediately the handwritten effect creates a much more personal touch as to the audience it appears as though the artist has written it herself and has remained very close to them throughout the making of this digipak. By doing so I am allowing the audience to feel as though they are getting an insight into this artists personal life. The idea that she has handwritten the font on the digipak allows the audience to feel closer to the artist solely because they may imply that it is similar to a diary or letter which is ultimately much more personal then any other type of font or writing. If I had planned to use a much more solid and technological font it would have made the digipak a lot more modern and distance the audience from noticing other personal touches. Due to the fact that the font does look handwritten allows the audience to be able to recognise the artist and her vintage theme. This is because the artist is able to create this persona of themselves just through the typography alone.

The language used on my digipak is mainly directed towards the personal message that my artist, Amy-Michaela has presented for her fans. Particular language that is planned to be added to my digipak is 'this album is very personal to me' this immediately tells the audience that this is not an ordinary album with songs that are meaningless. The word 'personal' relates to the fact that as an audience they are being given a very direct insight into what is going on in this digipak. The artist wants to portray an emotive side to herself, her story is being presented in this way due to the fact that it may touch the audience in a very individual way that will relate to them. In addition to this she states that she is 'thankful for the support' this adds a touch of personal gratitude that the audience will appreciate very much, they will feel as though they are being given a personal thanks, which will help to sell digipaks in the long run as it will provide a very close bond between the artist and audience as they will feel like they are being acknowledged. If the audience feel acknowledged then ultimately they are able to feel responsibilty for the success/failure of the digipak and the artists fame and fortune. If they feel that the artist is on the same level as them then they will be able to feel much more involved. This will ultimately fit the conventions of an indie genre as they are usually very caring towards there audience members compared to other artists who may concentrate on the fame and greedy side to the music industry.

In conclusion because I have planned my digipak it allows me to be able to prepare for the pictures I need to take. Not only am I preparing for photo shop now but I am also trying to gather enough ideas to go out and take particular photos that can comply with the plan as much as possible. In addition to this when it comes to using photo shop I am now able to manipulate certain shots into making them precisely how I want them. From my plan, I am now able to know exactly where I want my text and in particular what I want it to say. The colours of the images are also being considered and alternatively the plan allows me to be prepared for what is to come and how I can possibly make it as realistic and creatively conventional as possible. I will do this through the use of location in the shots that I take. I want the setting and locations in the digipak to appear as either really natural and beautiful or I want it to portray a very urban themed impression. This allows me to be able to use easy accessible locations that the audience would also be familiar with. This actually enables the  connotations of the locations and settings in this case to overall create a natural scene and make it more relatable to the audience. In addition to this I want my overall theme to be seen as very personal and idyllic to my audience. I want them to be able to look at it and recognise it as an indie genre. In addition to this I think it is very important that the audience are able to recognise the simplistic, yet rather beautiful scenery to be able to get the audience involved within the creation of the digipak due to the fact that the audience are able to feel more involved with recognising scenes.