A Digipak is style of CD case first created by IMPAC Group, Inc. But is now owned and is a registered trademark of AGI World Ltd., an Atlas Holdings company. Digipaks typically consist of a gatefold (book-style) paperboard or card outer binding, with one or more plastic trays capable of holding a CD or DVD attached to the inside and is an alternative to the traditional CD case or Jewel case as it is technically known.
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| Digipak |
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| Jewel case |
Digipacks can be more environmentally friendly and some companies even make them out of 100% post-consumer PET tray made from recycled bottles. They are also lighter and cheaper to produce. But not as resilient as Jewel Cases, however they are less likely to crack unlike Jewel Cases.
Analysis of an artists Digipack/CD case
Rage Against The Machine - Rage Agaisnt The Machine
Front Cover-
The cover features a photo of Thích Quảng Đức, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, burning himself to death in Saigon in 1963. The monk was protesting President Ngô Đình Diệm's administration for oppressing the Buddhist religion and is one of the very significant pictures from the period that is synonymous with protest and the Vietnam war.
This fits perfectly with the band - Rage Against The Machine, who are a highly politcally charged band, and whos songs are all about protest and standing up for yourself against evils - particularly corprate America, cultural imperialism, and government oppression. The bands name is also a blatant reference to their views. As such this picture on the cover not only draws attention to their CD (due to controverisal nature and how well known it is) but also shows what the band is about, it is marketing and creating an ID for the band in its most simple form. The use of fire in particular shows the explosive nature of the band's music and their attitude.
The cover features a photo of Thích Quảng Đức, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, burning himself to death in Saigon in 1963. The monk was protesting President Ngô Đình Diệm's administration for oppressing the Buddhist religion and is one of the very significant pictures from the period that is synonymous with protest and the Vietnam war.
This fits perfectly with the band - Rage Against The Machine, who are a highly politcally charged band, and whos songs are all about protest and standing up for yourself against evils - particularly corprate America, cultural imperialism, and government oppression. The bands name is also a blatant reference to their views. As such this picture on the cover not only draws attention to their CD (due to controverisal nature and how well known it is) but also shows what the band is about, it is marketing and creating an ID for the band in its most simple form. The use of fire in particular shows the explosive nature of the band's music and their attitude.
Back cover-The back cover is just the rest of the picture that is on the front cover, and contains the neccesary information such as the barcode and copyright and the names of those involved in the production of the music on the CD. All of the font is displayed in white on a black background, to look like the labels that come from a label maker. Giving the CD cover a very homemade look, adding to the bands ideology about doing things for yourself, and not submitting to corporations, as some CD covers may do, being professionally made and "synthetic" rather than the organic look that they are obviously going for here.
Guns N' Roses - Live Era '87-'93
Front Cover -
Live Era is a 2CD live album by Guns N' Roses, featuring recordings from concerts between 1987 and 1993. As such one can understand why the cover is how it is. The front cover is a collage of 6 posters that were created to advertise early shows. This fits with the theme of live concerts and shows newer listeners something about the band. And for people who already know the band they learn something about the band's past. The title is against a black background to make it stand out. The three sections of the title: "Guns N' Roses", "Live" and "Era '87-'93" are also in three differnet colours, the primary colours infact, this adds contrast between each part and the background, drawing the eye to it, and making it appealing as it is 3 well known colours.
Back cover -
Live Era is a 2CD live album by Guns N' Roses, featuring recordings from concerts between 1987 and 1993. As such one can understand why the cover is how it is. The front cover is a collage of 6 posters that were created to advertise early shows. This fits with the theme of live concerts and shows newer listeners something about the band. And for people who already know the band they learn something about the band's past. The title is against a black background to make it stand out. The three sections of the title: "Guns N' Roses", "Live" and "Era '87-'93" are also in three differnet colours, the primary colours infact, this adds contrast between each part and the background, drawing the eye to it, and making it appealing as it is 3 well known colours.
