Lesson review 14/12/2010 - Alex Nugent

Today we began actually transforming our idea into a finished digipak. This process involved taking the photos we had taken yesterday and placing them up onto editing software and arranging it into the desired format. We divided responsibility evenly, I did the front panel which used the photo of the male character looking angry at the the gorilla and the female character. Firstly , I uploaded the photo's then dividing each photo equally in the group we edited each one to create each panel. We started to create 3 panels in today's lesson. I uploaded the image and then dragged it into industry renewed technology called 'photoshop'. This software allows images to be cropped , altered , change of brightness and colour, ect. Each image had to be extracted , taking each figure out . I had to extract the gorilla, female character , whilst Matt did the male character. The extraction was quite a strenuous process , we had to use a tool called a lasso which allowed me to whiten out the background of the image. Below is an example of what it looked like :



Here the images is taken out by drawing around each figure. Then copy and paste the image onto a template which was previously set up . It is also important to note i made the background transparent meaning we can alter layers of information . Then we took Matt's figure and placed it onto the same template and played around with it to make it fit. This process was quite straightforward , all we had to do was transform it to scale and drag the corners to make it smaller. The main problem i counted today was the fact we decided to extract each character from different photos. This was a problem as the lighting in each one was very different and you could tell it was two different images. Therefore, I used the 'brightness /contrast' setting which allowed us to lessen the differences between the two figures. Now it looks like the photo was taken in one as opposed to placed in separately. After this we then added in text on top for the title and the critics. Overall , the process was quite stress free, it took a bit of time to get my head around the software however I managed. I also found the change in idea a very good one as I think it will make the finish outcome look much better. Each member in the group did the same thing meaning we have successfully started 3 panels . We still need to the 'dedication to Joe Jackson ' , the back panel and the CD holder. After looking at the finish we might have to tweak the idea further as we feel using the white backdrop throughout may look boring and people might not understand the simplicity of the design emphasises the nature of the narrative.

Changes to the digipak

Today we began photoshopping our digipak . We did this using photos taken previously . One photo which we decided to alter was the front cover ; instead of the male character standing in the middle with the two characters on the outside we decided to change it . Now the male character will be standing on his own in front looking angry with the gorilla and the female together. We decided to change this as we feel it allows a better portrayal of what is going on . It is in keeping with the usual conventions as it uses visuals relative to the narrative and will also use the critics and the titles.

Development of digipak plan - 13/12/2010

During today's lesson we carried on the process of planning for the creation of our digipak. Firstly , we had to research the the dimensions of a 6 paneled digipak which then we uploaded to the blog with diagrams of what it looks like when it has been deconstructed. Again , the size of a digipak is one of the conventions which is common with every CD as it cant be too big to fit on a shelf if it is being sold. Today we also developed the first draft plan , adding colour and beginning to finalise the layout . Below is each individual panel of the digipak :


This is the front panel of our digipak . With each panel we stuck rigidly to the conventions in order to give us a good idea and also to make it look as professional as possible. Here , we have used the industry recognised size for a digipak , we did this using a CD case to draw around . This was important as it gave us as idea of what the size of it will be . However, the main convention which we have used is using an element from the narrative . The gorilla is looking at the male character angrily as he is trying to take the female character and the female character is dismissing him as she loves the gorilla. We placed the male character forward as he is the main element and focus to the video. Another convention we have used is a title of the song and the composer , which we have decided to put in black and place this on top of a white backdrop. The reason for this is that the narrative which we have used is straightforward, therefore did not want to over complicate with a disruptive colour. We also feel it allows an emphasis on the characters. Another convention we have included is the use of quotes from music magazines which are commonly used to attract buyers.



This is the inside front panel. Again the main convention used is the use of the element from the narrative. The photo is of the love interest dreaming about the gorilla. We decided this would be a good inclusion as it emphasises her love of the gorilla to the audience . Also as the digipak is opened , the narrative is told through the positioning of the image.


This is the next panel and like the one above it uses the element from the narrative. With this layout and order we wanted to be able to tell the narrative through the images , the first one was of the girl thinking about the gorilla. Therefore , we decided to do the same to place focus on the gorilla . The fact that he is thinking about a banana emphasises the spoof theme of the video and the jokey nature of it. The decision to use this highlights the gorilla role during the video .


This panel is where the CD will actually be positioned. This layout is commonly used with other digipak's which we have research. Again , we have used an element from the narrative with the use of gorilla fur as the background. We feel this again highlight the lighthearted theme but will also fit in well with the idea of the gorilla.

One of the advantages of using a 6 paneled digipak is the amount of information which you are able to place in theme . One convention which we depicted was the use of song lyrics within one of the inside covers. We have only mentioned Joe Jackson once so far on the digipak so we have decided to use this panel as an almost dedication to him , but also giving the buyer information as they will know exactly what the lyrics are . We will use a photo of him as the background with background information of him written over it.


This is the final panel and will be the back cover. One common convention which we depicted was the use of a track list , which we have also done. Furthermore, the use of a barcode and copyright information was also a common elements. We have therefore incorporated all of these into our digipak design. We will use a screen shot form the actual video of the women and the gorilla walking off. Our decision behind this was to again reveal aspects of the narrative and highlight the main aspect of the video . We also feel it fits in the with the jokey theme which we have used throughout.

Dimensions of a digipak

A digipak can comes in either 4, 8 or 8 panels allowing the inclusion of artists information in the form of a booklet or song lyrics. The digipak opens out and has slots within to include and accommodate this extra information . Below is a 4 paneled digipak which can is usually used for normal cd's:

4 panel 1 CD Digipak with tube pocket. Tray on right. 5.53" X 0.25" X 5"

Here below is the 6 paneled digipak which we will be creating , with this the artists is able to place more information about the song giving the audience more of an idea of background information:

6 panel 1 CD Digipak . Tray on right side. 5.53" X 0.31" X 5"

Planning of the digipak - 7/12/2010

During today's lesson we began to think about the best way to go about creating the digipak. We decided to brainstorm ideas (using the conventions list as a guide) . The conventions of the digipak almost created a tick list of what needed to be included so we then began to brainstorm ideas about layout, font, text and colours . We all threw in a number of idea which we feel related to the theme running through our video. Obviously the spoof theme of the video means we want to portray a lighthearted finish with the digipak. Therefore , we decided that having the gorilla on the digipak was important as it gives the viewer and idea of what is going on . We liked the idea of almost telling a story through the digipak , each panel revealing an aspect of key themes within the narrative. Therefore, we decided to finalise ideas from the list and then apply them to a template. Below is the template which we drew up and is almost a first draft of the digipak:
Front Panel and Front Inside Panel


Both Middle panel's


Inside Back Panel and Back Panel


Above is the first draft (as mentioned) . From here we will take the screeshots needed and then place them on photoshop to begin the editing process. During this we will finalise the font size and colours and layout , but this is useful as a guide and gives us something to refer back to.

Lesson review - 6/12/2010 by Alex Nugent and Georgia Briggs

During today's lesson we moved on from the editing process of the project on to the research stage of the digipak. Within the lesson we had to undertake in a number of tasks, which included depicting conventions of digipak's and evaluating examples of digipak's. Today, we also drafted and email to the record label that made 'is she really going out with him' by Joe Jackson. My individual role within the group was to research and display the common elements of a successful digipak. I did this by using the Internet, the main source of information came from http://www.slideshare.net/pieter1933/digipak-research-3344503, using the Eminem evaluation to depict key conventions. I then placed this onto the blog and acted as a guide of things to look out for when each person within the group evaluated their own digipak example. The next task was to then evaluate a digipak using the criteria, which I had collected. Again, the website mentioned earlier was very useful for the evaluation. The Internet allowed me to gain an example and then using screenshots i evaluated the success of the digipak. This was a useful task as it allowed me to gain an idea of what elements make the digipak successful.

(Georgia Briggs)

It was my role in todays lesson to help put together a list of what made a digipak successful, I looked at examples of digipaks and noted down what they had in common with each other and how they were different. It was evident that the genre of the music affected the appearance of the digipak significantly. I did this by using the internet as it was the most affective way of getting results quickly. We had to evaluate the digipak and state what made it successful and which of the conventions it included.

Digipak Evaluation - Megan Clarke

Madonna DVD single - Music

Madonna is a nationwide super star and has produced many albums. To enhance her merchandise Madonna created a DVD of her hit single - Music ,

that contained the songs music video. The digipak contained a direct link to the music video its self by taking images of subject matter within the video allowing for the audience to immediately relate it to the song. The digipak also contained other conventions;

• bar code
• Image of the artist
• length of video/song
• Artist logo
• related companies used i.e Warner Brothers
• Valid information regarding the artist/ DVD content.