This is the Digipak that includes the research of album covers and the development of our album cover for our music video.
Drake - Take Care
Camera
- Close-up shot :This allows the audience to clearly see the artist's facial expression and body language which creates a connection of intimacy between the artist and the audience.
- Eye-level angle : This would make the artist appear relatable and it shows the artist to be more dominant or superior which makes the viewer understand how the artist is like by making them feel connected through this angle.
Mise-en-scene
- Props : The golden chalice represents wealth, success and status towards the artist and the contrast between the luxury items (golden props) and emotional expression highlights the 'cost of fame' meaning that when the artist gets popular for a period of time, they would get stressed or tired over it.
- Costume & Appearance : The artist wears a full dark, plain clothing which gives off a feeling of seriousness and maturity. In addition, the artist doesn't wear no excess jewelry or streetwear. Which challenges the stereotypical hip-hop and R&B artist's fashion.
What meaning is being created with different technical elements?
These technical elements combine to show the viewers that there is loneliness despite the immense success of the artist, mature masculinity, heartbreak and emotional struggle. These meanings would align with modern R&B as this genre often explores towards failed relationships, self-reflection and emotional honesty.
How does the imagery reflect the star's persona?
The imagery reflects the star persona as he is represented in a way of being sensitive from his facial expressions and emotionally expressive. This challenges the whole traditional masculine stereotypes and aligns with most modern R&B masculinity where emotions are often valued. This could be linked towards the Theory of Stardom by Richard Dyer as ordinariness of him being vulnerably expressive and based off the black clothing and dim lighting, it gives off this private setting towards the album cover. This would make the artist be known as a normal, wealthy, humble guy despite his global fame.
Does the artist have a logo? Is it consistent with their other media?
No, Drake doesn't have a logo for his music. However, he has a handwritten signature-style text to make it recognizable that it is his which makes it more personal and intimate. Although, his other album covers may have different fonts and texts, his unique artist name becomes a brand as it stands out from other artists. In this album cover/digipak specifically, the signature on the bottom right makes the cover feel more personal. The album cover is consistent with Drake's other media with its lyrical themes, music videos and social media imagery.
How has the album cover influenced you?
From the album cover, it shows me that they use symbolism rather than narrative as it relies more on the artist's facial expressions (mood) and the tone with the dim lighting and luxury setting and props. We could try to replicate the dim lighting to our digipak itself.
Kendrick Lamar - GNX
Camera
- Medium shot : This shows Kendrick Lamar and his environment clearly which explain more towards the context of the album cover rather than emotional performance.
- Eye-level angle : This makes Kendrick look serious and it shows how the viewer could see his expressions and it makes them feel connected with him as he is equal to the audience with the eye level angle.
Mise-en-scene
- Costume & Appearance : Kendrick Lamar is shown wearing streetwear clothes, there is no designer brands or expensive items shown so it shows that he isn't trying to impress people with jewelry and brands but, it makes him seem honest and grounded to his viewers which this links to R&B as most R&B artists often focus on their feelings instead of fashion and showing off.
- Performance : Kendrick Lamar's face looks very serious yet calm and he shows that his body is relaxed but closed this makes him look like he is thinking deeply and he isn't showing strong emotions but holding them inside as this fits the usual R&B conventions as emotions are often spoken and personal.
What meaning is being created with different technical elements?
The meaning that is created from all these various technical elements is that it is very realistic and serious, because of that the audience would understand that the music would be emotional and meaningful which conforms to the usual R&B album covers.
How does the imagery reflect the star's persona?
Kendrick Lamar oftenly reflects the star's persona as being original and make unique album covers. It feels authentic to the viewers as Kendrick always looks independent and grounded while showing his personality through various meanings such as the cover. He is also not the person to flex off his wealth which also shows his past old favorite vehicle in the album cover which shows where he is from and not what he is made of through social media and his songs.
Does the artist have a logo? Is it consistent with their other media?
The artist doesn't have a logo and more focuses on the artist's whole image and personality which means that the artist is the brand as music and emotions matter more than visuals which conforms to our R&B conventions which artists often rely on personality and emotions to be expressed. This is consistent with their other media as each album cover are authentic and different from each other which makes the artist more recognizable which therefore the artist could maintain his consistent brand reputation.
How has the album cover influenced you?
We like how the album cover has the unique feeling of being authentic, so we want to try to replicate that feeling towards our own album cover with using natural poses, real life settings and use minimal colors to produce our album cover.
Tyler, The Creator - Flower Boy
Camera
- Medium shot : Tyler is shown from behind which creates a mystery as his facial expression isn't shown as well which makes the audience more curious on what the album songs would be as it could be either happy or sad. This would connect to our album cover as most R&B album covers focuses on emotions, so not showing the face makes it feel more personal towards the viewers.
Mise-en-scene
- Setting : The setting contains sunflowers, hills, bees and a warm sky which this could have meaning such as growth, positivity, hardwork, peace and emotions. As our genre often talks about love, stress and emotional struggles, these visuals would reflect these themes.
- Lighting : The album cover has warm lighting all around because of the sunset, this means happiness, hope, and emotions.
What meaning is being created with different technical elements?
The natural lighting effect (sunset) creates a dreamlike feeling towards the viewers and the saturated colors also has contrast with the emotional themes of loneliness and anxiety. The meaning between these technical elements shows that success could hide their problems inside which is a common convention in modern R&B where artists would express their emotions through symbolism.
How does the imagery reflect the star's persona?
Tyler's persona in the album cover more shows him as emotional and the lack of showing luxurious items or wealth subverts the typical R&B/hip-hop stereotypes. This imagery could connect to Richard Dyer's theory on stardom which Tyler is ordinary as he is shown using casual clothing. This makes viewers feel relatable towards the artist and connected as they might be feeling the same way as the artist.
Does the artist have a logo? Is it consistent with their other media?
Tyler, The Creator doesn't have a logo but instead he uses his visuals to make people recognize him easily through the technical elements he uses such as the bold colors, artistic visuals, nature visuals, or alter egos. This is consistent across Tyler's album covers such as 'IGOR' and 'CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST' which the artist is the brand rather than a logo.
How has the album cover influenced you?
This album cover influenced us by showing that it could encourage audiences to see vulnerability or emotions as strength and it makes the album cover look more intimate and reflective which could make the viewer think what would be the theme of the whole album cover before even hearing the album itself. This cover also challenges the usual masculinity in R&B + hip-hop genres by showing conventions that subvert the usual such as casual clothing and vibrant colors. Although, it is not likely that we are going to use these types of technical elements in our album cover as we have may not have the right equipment and skills to do so and we are trying to aim for a darker digipak.
SZA - Ctrl
Camera:
- Medium long shot: Showing the full body of SZA, and showing a lot of the surroundings, which is the stacked old computers, where the setting is just as important as the subject in the photo.
Mise-en-scene:
- Setting: Outdoor in a natural grassy environment and surrounded by old and broken monitors, meaning that she might be heartbroken, as it's showing a broken monitor on her back.
- Lighting: The lighting is natural daylight and also soft, giving a calm and peaceful vibe.
What meaning is being created with different technical elements?
The camera uses a medium long shot, showing SZA's whole body and the environment around her, make her look natural. Also the mis en scene is an old broken computer outdoor grassy and casul clothing, making her look natural and showing that she might be heartbroken because of the broken computer.
How does the imagery reflect the star's persona?
SZA persona is real, emotional, and honest, and its really common in RnB, in the picture showing shes sitting in the ground and not posing too much, showing emotional. And makes audience feel shes one of us.
Does the artist have a logo? Is it consistent with their other media?
SZA doesnt use a strong visual on this album cover, she us minimal text and simple album, makes it more meaningful and emotions, where common in RnB where artist prioritize more authentic pictures.
How has the album cover influenced you?
The album cover makes me feel calm , where it makes audience to feel deeper to the songs, and not as usual where the picture here is unperfect different from other female artist, where they make they look rich and pretty on their album.
Joji - BALLADS 1
Camera :
It uses an extreme close up of joji's face, this makes audience feel very close to him, creating intimidate or uncomfortable feeling, or maybe some audiences could like it to feel really close to joji.
-Mise-en-scene:
The lighting is low and dark, gives sad and mysterious mood, also background is empty, so all attention go to his face and emotion.
What meaning is being created with different technical elements?
The image use extreme close up of joji face, meaning that he wants to interact closer to audience or express his emotions to the audience. Also its dark and moody making it looks mysterious, and the black and empty background makes all attention to his face.This create meaning of confusion and emotional struggle which common in RnB.
How does the imagery reflect the star's persona?
Joji's persona is introvert, emotional and lonely, where his expression looks like tirerd and emotional, he also not smiling in a confident way or happy which shows hes just smiling because hes shy and not trying to look perfect,this helps make audience connect with him.
Does the artist have a logo? Is it consistent with their other media?
Joji does not use a strong logo on this album cover, there's no text and no branding this makes that joji wants audience to focus more on his meotion and meaning, not for the marketing, this often shown in RnB artist that value feeling in image. Its also cosistent with his MV, lyrics and online image, and shown in sadness and love.
How has the album cover influenced you?
The album cover makes me feel calm but also sad and feel emotional,it also shows that is okay for a men to show feelings, which different from normal stereotypes.
Summer Walker - Still Over It
Camera
- Close-up shot : The close-up shows her expressions which in the album cover shows her that she could either be surprised or shocked. The close-up shot also makes the viewers feel like their physically close to Summer Walker which creates intimacy between the artist and the viewer.
Mise-en-scene
- Environment : Inside a car at night this could mean that the artist is having late night drives which could further mean that as viewers they could recognize late-night drives as isolating themselves or escape.
- Costume : The dark clothing and sunglasses makes Summer Walker appear defensive or fashionable which this could mean that she is either going through 'something' possibly a heartbreak.
What meaning is being created with different technical elements?
The meaning created between all these technical elements put onto this album cover is that the low lighting makes the album cover a moody tone. Also, the lack of costume showing except the top of her clothes and only dark sunglasses makes the image feel raw and authentic. This would make the viewers more likely to trust the artist's emotions and this would make the viewers feel connected towards the artist.
How does the imagery reflect the star's persona?
The imagery can reflect the star's persona as Summer Walker's hand trying to block the camera shows her as emotionally vulnerable or more introverted and this challenges when celebrities are usually confident trying to show themselves off which this presents her as being ordinary as viewers may relate to her as they don't want to be filmed in private.
Does the artist have a logo? Is it consistent with their other media?
Summer Walker doesn't have a logo but she rather keeps focusing on the album cover visuals to make viewers recognize that it is her as she consistently shows herself through most of the album covers such as 'Finally Over it' and 'Finally Over it (The Afterparty)'. This creates a sense of familiarity for the viewers which makes fans feel like it is a whole emotional narrative going on.
How has the album cover influenced you?
This album cover influenced us by preparing the audience for themes of heartbreak, isolation or boundaries through the visuals. This makes the viewers positioned where they are someone who understands pain rather than simply consuming entertainment through the artist's music. Another influence would be that the viewer positioning looks like their in the album cover and the artist's performance looks like their interacting with the viewer.
Camera
- Close-up shot : This cover uses a closeup shot of Drake's face angled slightly to the side also showing his gaze is directed away from the camera avoiding direct eye contact with the viewers. This creates intimacy making the viewers feel close to Drake's emotional state while the side gaze suggests introspection.
Mise-en-scene
- Costume : Drake is seen using a black simple hoodie this could mean that he is showing seriousness or maturity.
- Lighting : The lighting is black and white which clearly shows his facial expressions (neutral) this could make viewers think about what he is thinking and prepare on what the album music would be.
What meaning is being created with different technical elements?
The meaning being created through all these technical elements is that the grainy texture gives that realism feeling, the high contrast lighting highlights his facial expressions which would clearly show that he is serious towards the album. This could be added more by the black and white colors in the album which means seriousness or nostalgia. These technical elements make the album feel more mature and this encourages the viewers to interpret the music seriously rather than for listening.
How does the imagery reflect the star's persona?
Drake is shown as thoughtful and emotional in the album cover and not flashy with jewelries and luxury items, he looks like an ordinary person which connects to the Dyer's theory as he is also a normal human being and not a celebrity only which is ordinary where viewers could relate to his emotions as they may feel that they understand Drake better making them feel more connected to him and his music.
Does the artist have a logo? Is it consistent with their other media?
Drake doesn't have or use a logo for his album covers, but uses his signature makes it recognizable for viewers to know that it is his album cover. This signature makes the album feel personal as if Drake is sharing his story or music directly with the viewers which this style is consistently used in other Drake albums and media.
How has the album cover influenced you?
This album cover influenced us by using his recognizable signature and we would try to apply it to our current album cover as it would make us recognizable overtime by the viewers and make it seem unique to our artist (Thomas Wiradharma).
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SUMMARY
In summary, most album covers that are in the R&B genre always has the grainy effect towards the whole album cover. Furthermore, all the R&B related album covers that I've researched showed their entire face of the artist on the cover which gives off their emotions. As well, the background of the album cover would show off either a plain color (black, light blue, or grey) would give off a personality of the artist or the background would have visuals such as tv's scattered, a vintage car or vibrant sunset to show the artist's possible theme of what the whole album would be.
TWO ALBUM COVERS CHOSEN
(below)
These two has the details of what we need in our digipak which contains the grainy effect and the bright lighting on the artist's face. This would also be followed with the signature to make our digipak recognizable for the audience to know who's album it is.
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DEVELOPMENT
FRONT COVER
We took photos during our recording sessions to finish up our music video project and we tested our different areas for our digipak. The photo we chose for the front cover after the multiple takes we did. Which this photo would be chosen as our front cover as it had the same effect with Joji's front cover with the grainy texture and lighting on the artist's face.
(unedited)
EDITED FRONT COVER
After I edited the photo and made it more vibrant while also trying to make the artist's facial expression be more visible towards the viewers. This is the result we got after the edited version although there are multiple versions to see which fits our theme of the digipak.
#1
#2
#3
#4
Teacher's FeedbackThe teacher gave us feedback on the digipak and said that it is too red on everything but, from what he saw from the first option. He said that it is good enough as the facial expression could be seen easily by the audience which makes it good and connected to our inspiration from the previous album covers that I researched. The only thing we needed to add is the signature which would complete the overall album cover to add the personal album cover and realism.
This is our finished product, if the signature went a bit bigger it would look off and it would make the signature a bit off as each of our teammate agreed on this one. This was done on a weekend so we couldn't get a teacher's feedback. Overall, this is the front digipak we made from the help of Panji with making the signature.
DIGIPAK CONTENT
These are two of the digipak insides we had to pick from as it had this unique big spacing between the artist and the background which we could use this to put in the typography and make the other album songs to put in.
#1
#2
We picked the first one as it had a more symmetry we could use as a digipak inside cover and we could make the right side of the photo as the CD and the left side as the visuals.
DIGIPAK CONTENT
It was very simple to create the digipak content as we were aiming for aesthetic and try to minimize creating a lot of typography in the visuals as it would ruin on how it would appeal to the viewers.
DIGIPAK BACK COVER
DEVELOPMENT
We picked this back cover as our main because, that is the only picture that had the perfect symmetry in the background and the artist we were going for and the other pictures we took in the different areas had bad lighting which ruined the album back covers we were going for.
(unedited)
(edited with typography)
This is the fully developed back cover for our digipak. We had no idea for what could be done on the left side except for the signature which we were trying to always replicate it on the front and back cover.
Reflection : This whole digipak research and development was a whole lot of research, the questions made me confused most of the time which wasted a lot of time for me to finish it up quickly. As well, we weren't that prepared for the back cover but we made it through by trying to find pictures that we took during the shooting and luckily, we found options to use it. This digipak blog had me procrastinating which made it worse, I had to finish it up in the last day till uploading all the blogs to be graded. In addition, Maha helped me with 2 of the album cover research as I was trying to be efficient with my time management and trying to make the other digipaks such as the inside and back.
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