Digipak - updated version of panels

Here are updated versions of digipak panels that will contribute to my final product. I feel that these updates are more creative and interesting than my original digipak panels. 

Note: Front cover received little changes because I thought it looked good as it was. 

Ancillary Tasks - Changes

Updated versions of two digipak panels as well as further enhancement of digipak poster.

Digipak panels - enhancing photo manipulation

After a self-review of my digipak, I have realised that some of the panels are perhaps a little plain and unengaging. As a result, I have attempted to enhance my photo manipulation use. Below is a second draft of my inside panel with the original image below to show the changes made.

digipak changes

Here I have included a difference between my original image and my final digipak poster product. The comparison between the two shows clear manipulation. For example, I have removed the nike logo from the boy's hoodie on the right as well as lowered him to a similar height of the other two band members. Furthermore, I have implemented smoke into the lower third of the poster to create a mystique to product as well as creating a black and whit background to accentuate to band members in the poster. There are other aspects of editing such as reduction in lightness of the sky and the addition of a lens flare.

Digipak - first draft

Digipak inside panels

Here are some of the extra panels that I may decide to use in order create a 6 panel digipak. 

Digipak poster

Another draft of my digipak poster. I feel that in order to improve this version I will need to add some more photo manipulation, perhaps contrast of foreground and background which will be included in the final product label of my blog. 

Music video - cut

Digipak changes

After a photoshoot with the band, I have reconstructed my front cover as evidenced below. 

As well, I have reconstructed my back cover to make it more identifiable to the indie rock genre. 

Digipak change - front cover

After showing my current digipak to numerous A Level Media Studies students, it became apparent to me that there were some issues with my product. Most importantly, very few students were unable to identify a specific genre to my front cover. Some people thought that it might even look like a grime artist's work. Furthermore, the use of fire in the background proved to be a distraction away from the main focus of the front cover - the lead singer. As a result, I have decided that I will be changing my front cover once again. It is vital that my digipak links to the genre of indie rock and in order to do this, I have conducted further research.

My continued research on indie rock bands has shown that the front cover often includes the band itself. This is due to the fact that bands of this genre enjoy playing to live audiences rather than in a studio. So, their representation is crucial to how fans and people around the world view them. An album cover can represent bands in ways they want and the album covers below are some that I will be taking inspiration from.

Music video - final cut

Here is the final cut of our music video. To improve from the first cut, we have colour corrected some clips as well as adding a stabiliser to avoid slight camera shakes.

Digipak products

Since finalising the music video, I have shifted my absolute attention to the construction of my digipak. Below I have included images of the digipak products I have constructed so far. 

Front cover

Back cover

Design panel 1

CD 

Design panel 2

Inside front cover 

Digipak front cover - model change

I have taken the decision to change the model on the front of my digipak cover. Previously, I had the protagonist of the narrative of the music video. After some reflection, I think it would be much more appropriate to have the leader singer of the band on the front cover. Firstly, I have chosen to change the model because having the actor on the front would make it applicable to just the one song we have made the video for. In doing this, the album cover would not be symbolic of the entire album but rather one song. Moreover, choosing to present my lead singer means that the band is advertised well. More specifically, the lead singer. A defining convention of indie rock is the presence of iconic male front-men. And, although the band is limited in its popularity, this album will be a small step to representing the band in a particular way as portrayed throughout the digipak and music video.

Digipak photos

Music video - first cut

Here is the first cut of our music video. There are minor details that I would like to change. For example, some colour correction and stabilising will need to be done. Beyond this, I will be showing media students the first cut and asking for their opinion on it. Overall, I am incredibly pleased with what we have so far after months of planning, research and editing.

Design panel ideas

Here I have attached some screenshots of the designs I currently have. The most important aspect to consider with these designs is that they need to be engaging and creative. I feel that most of these achieve this. Currently, I am considering using both of the smoke designs that include strands of the colours used on my front and back covers. By using these I feel that the digipak will have a clear identity and a reoccurring theme throughout the product. However, I will explore different options too in order to implement an element of diversity to my digipak.