Digipak Progress

Today I added several more features to my digipak in order to increase the professionalism of the product.

I added a hue and saturation to all of the covers in order to boost the colour, especially in the interior of the artists coat. As the 3 images of the artist on the front cover were all in focus and clear, it did not match the theme of metamorphosis as successfully as it could. I made the central image of a lower opacity, and further reduced the opacity of the third image to make it almost invisible yet making sure it was still noticeable as this would draw away from this effect. 

To increase this effect, I added the filter 'wind' to both images in order to make out as if he was moving off the bench. This worked successfully adding this filter twice to the centre image, and 3 times to the last image. This made the image less hard to see which is what I wanted to achieve in order to make the audience focus on the initial starting image. I believe the way I wanted 'metamorphosis' to appear in not just the title but also the images have been extremely successful. Moreover this motif can now be included throughout all media products I will create. 
The font I chose for the artists name - George Peachtree, I wanted to make it look like the album had been personally signed by the artist. I had to ensure that the fonts used for this signature and the font used for the title of the digipak, complimented each other and did not distract the audience from paying attention to the main features. 

I began to edit the inner case for my digipal. Likewise with the front cover, I made the image have a stronger hue and saturation to accentuate the colours within the original image. To follow my theme, I used the same growing transformation of the title 'Metamorphosis' to follow the definition of this word as this is the motif thorough my products. The artists name also appears around the circular shape of the CD. This is again in the same style as the original font as this enhances the theme and star image of my artist. I followed an intense, detailed tutorial on how to produce the grass effect on my grass CD tray. By using a grass texture, it accentuated the importance of nature in my products as this again is a common theme in my work. Using an extreme close up for the background, the slight outer blur conveys how the main focus of this part of the digipak, is the inner tray for the CD. 

Digipak Progress

As in previous posts I had chosen my front and back covers, I proceeded to develop these by adding features to fit the conventions of a digipak using my previous research. 

As the title for my album is Metamorphosis, I looked closer into the definitions of this word to assist in developing the uniqueness of my title in the products as well as distinctly within the music video. As the word definition appeared - 

the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages

It showed me that I could use the morphing of lettering to address this choice of word further. By individually selecting each letter I tilted them to fit with an 'evolving' type typography pattern which developed into a 'grown up' (large sized) letter, in this case, 'S'. To further enhance this morphing motif, I used two colours - white and red/pink for the start and end letters, for the letters inbetween I showed the progress of getting from white to red. By using this feature, I have further intensified the importance of the word 'Metamorphosis' in terms of my products and artist. Hopefully, members of my target demographic will notice morphing into another character and developing as a person as part of the star identity of my artist.

Adding bevel and emboss to the letters in the title will encourage the audience to notice the title from afar.

The back cover I began to continue the theme of metamorphosis, by again writing each letter individually for the tracklist and changing its direction to show a 'tilting' effect. This worked successfully by choosing the same coloured font at the 'developed' end of my colour scheme. However, once completing this tracklist, I noticed how busy the background of my back cover was. This meant the text was hard to read on screen and consdering the conditions when printed, I believe it would be harder to read. 

To resolve this problem, I added a transparent beige box behind the text similar to the colour of the dark bricks in the scene in order to make the text more visible. By blurring the edges it allowed the box to blend into the background and reduce the risk of lacking professionalism when placing a blatant coloured box on the back of the cover. 

I proceeded to add an outer glow to the box in order to make it stand out against the background. This worked successfully in helping an audience focus solely on the tracklist without being distracted by the back scenery. By adding a bevel and emboss to the titles - TRACKLIST and BONUS TRACKS, it conveyed the break in the tracks, this separated these aspects hence making it less busy and clearer to read. 

Digipak Progress

In order to produce an original, unique digipak, I thought that producing my own logo for the artist to be used throughout media products would add to the star image. I initially drew out the lettering for the artists name, incorporating an image into the text to the 'T'. I attempted to use play on words as the name 'Peachtree' could be included in the logo to create more of relation between the logo and artist. As it would be used on different backgrounds I didn't decide on a specific colour for the text as this may restrict some editing when future products are needed. By adding effects such as bevel and emboss, stroke and a drop shadow, I was able to make the logo stand out against a busier background. 

Overall I decided against using the logo as when showing it to my target market it looked too childlike and I believe this may not look professional against the high quality imagery I will be using for my products. By doing this task I was able to see how I would like my text to appear on the products.

Below is the original font I produced for George Peachtree identity.

Progress of Digipak

Opposite is the image I have chosen for my BACK of the digipak. On this I will have the tracklist stating the songs included within the digipak itself and also a barcode. I will need to ensure the colour chosen for the text is clearly seen against the brick wall background. The use of a branch in the side of the shot corresponds with the autumnal setting within one specific music video - Symbolic. This creates a link and pattern further increasing the artists identity which is consistent in his choice of attire also. 

As this is the front of the digipak, I will have to add the title of the album which is METAMORPHOSIS and the artists name. the title is clearly illustrated throughout the 'changing' and 'development' of the artists movement. This suggests him morphing into another person or more realistically another emotion. This title fits in well with the theme of the songs entailed as symbolism is used throughout. 

Additionally, I may have to make the bench more central without having the third image go off the square outline. 

Taking Original Images

For my digipak and magazine advert, I will need high quality images which will allow my artist to look professional and the final products to be the best finish possible.

I had to ensure that my artist was dressed in attire which matched that in the video to create more of an 'image' for them. I therefore dressed the artist in a shirt, tie and jeans as this is what was shown in the music video. 

Using shots from the music video could've been an option for my album cover and magazine advert however this would've been low quality hence defeating the professionalism. Yet, this idea was overcome as by re-enacting the shots favourited in the music video received through my target market feedback and taking a photo of this scene.

Below are several photographs I have taken with a Nikon D3000.

In order to choose the correct shot, I thought of producing a front cover combining 3 images in total whereby the background stays the same so it looks like the artist is 'moving' around the page. This would be similar to the effect used in the opening of my music video hence creating somewhat of a motif. With my previous photoshop skills, I will hopefully be able to produce this with the highest standard possible. 

Any shots I chose to do would be that of a low angle, mid shot, long shot and on one occasion an extreme close up. While using a low angle shot it portrays the artist to be of a higher status with people somewhat 'looking up to him.' This may convey him as an artist that is a role model to many fans due to his song lyrics being so respectful towards women, which in the 21st century, is often unexpected. With the artist being in the centre of the image and looking directly at the camera, it produces a powerful aura again indicating his strength and bravery. This eye contact made between the artist and audience highlights the status and respect of the artist. All images were taken with a natural setting as this is what the audience would be familiar with due to the indication of this scene in the video. Using signs of nature shows him as an outgoing person, additionally with the high volume of light it indicates him as lighthearted and happy, rather than in dark lighting where the artist would be seen as mysterious and sinister.

Choice of Font

For my magazine advert and digipak, in order to create a successful theme, I would need the font text and colour scheme to be the same to ensure they look like a part of the same product. 

I browsed through several fonts on dafont.com, the fonts below were what I had to decide between:

I will need the font to show that the artist is part of the youth, and by doing this, I will choose a font which will reflect the artist hence appealing to the target market of teens. I will need the font to be clear to read and ensure the audience approve of the font chosen.

After asking members of my media class and in the sixth form common room, (as these students fit into my target market), they chose the font DJB Poppyseed. This font was in my top two choices as it addresses a youthful, playful aspect which I was aiming to address.

Planning For My Digipak

I was attempting to think of unique ways within which I could present the track. I don't think I want to have the artist identified on the back of the digipak as I have planned to have him appear multiple times on the front cover. If I have too many uses of him on the digipak it may look unprofessional.

One shot within my music video is where the artist 'jumps' around the screen. I could reuse this idea and use the same location and idea to reinforce this aspect.

I have listed the tracks which I will put on the back of my digipak on the photo opposite. These should be put against a background with a majority of one colour to enable writing to be easily read.

As throughout my video, the motif of flowers is used, I could have the artist holding a flower in his mouth - yet this may specify too closely to my music video and not to the other existing 'music videos' of the other tracks - it is unlikely that flowers would be used in every tracklisted song's music video.

However, for the back of my digipak I could have the flowers appear down the road referencing the Symbolic music video- this therefore creates a link. 

I possibly could have the artist appear 3 times on the front cover perhaps moving along a bench to show a development of personality/making of a decision. Again the artist name would feature across the top of the album cover.

Additionally, I could have the artist standing centre of the scene looking directly into the camera to convey power and territory. I would have to ensure that the location used was less busy to enable the artist to stand out from the background.

Another idea is having half of the artists face take up the album cover however this may be too large and empowering for an artist of a younger age with less dominance.