A2 Media Studies Digipak Analysis

1. A2 Media Studies
Digipak analysis
Nikoleta

2. What is a digipak?
CD digipaks are a printed card packaging that is
often used for CDs and/or DVDs. The digipak,
made from cardboard stock, contains an internal
plastic holder that is capable of holding one or
more discs. Discs are held in place via plastic trays
(flexi trays), which are glued into the digipak.

3. The history of the digipak
The history of the digipak goes back to 1974, when Dutch electronics
company Philips began developing a digital optical audio disk with an
error correction code.
50 years later, these disks are a core part of 21st century life. Digipak
CD packaging contains an outer shell made from a type of custom
cardboard. Within it, lies one or more plastic trays able to hold a CD.
A digipak is the same form and size as a standard CD Jewel Case,
however it is made mostly from environmentally friendly board. The
difference with a digipak is that the CD wallet/jacket has a plastic tray
which the disc snaps into – overall it is a sturdier product.

4. Different types of digipak
• This is the most popular product.
• It is the standard 4 panel CD
digipak and has replaced the
Jewel case in terms of popularity
for albums.
• The 6 Panel has an extra panel
allowing you to position the tray
on either the center panel or the
right-hand panel – whichever
best suits your design.
• You can also choose an 8 panel
or 10 panel, which are a bit rarer,
but means the album will stand
out.
• Paperfoam Tray packaging
substitutes the plastic flexi trays
with a 100% biodegradable tray.
• Paperfoam CD packaging has an
85% lower carbon footprint
compared to traditional plastic
CD packaging.
4 Panel Digipak 6 Panel Digipak Paperfoam CD Digipak

5. What elements should be included in a digipak?
• Album name
• Artist name
• Album Song List
• Barcode
• Record label
• Copyright label
• Artwork
• Disk Holder
• Possibly some lyrics

6. The analysis of existing digipak
I should analyze an existing digipak so that I can learn more details about it. I chose the album “Ghost stories”
from Coldplay. Coldplay are a British rock band formed in London in 1996.

7. The front cover of the Coldplay album Ghost Stories consists of a pair of angel
wings in the middle as the centre of attention of the cover, which makes it stand
out, also the wings are white and the background is dark and dull, which
connotes the vibe of the lyrics of the songs. The songs in the album are
represented in the cover, such as A Sky Full of Stars is a song and an image in the
cover as well a Midnight and Oceans.There is no title on the cover, which is a
common convention in Coldplay album covers, however this shows that the
Coldplay brand is popular enough to not require a title.
There are 9 songs included in this album. And the 4 panel digipak includes an album
song list, disk, disk holder and the songs’ lyrics.