Digipak Research

What is a DVD Digipak?

Digipak is a patented style of compact disc or DVD packaging, & is a registered trademark of AGI media, which licences the name and designs to manufactures around the world.

Digipaks typically consist of a gatefold – book style paperboard or card stock or outer binding, with one or more plastic trays capable of holding in CD – DVD attached to the inside.

Digipaks are usually CD size but the tall DVD digipak is used as a premium package for DVDs and DVD sets.


Key Elements:

Gatefold Style

FRONT
BACK
INSIDE
BOOKLET

Text
- Name of band/artist
- Name of album
- Price
- Track listings
- Bonus material
- Biography
- Producer
- Musicians
- Where and when recorded
- Record Info
- Song writers

Pictorial
- Picture of band/artist
- Logo Record Company - Name
- Barcode
- Pictures of the artist of Gigs/Video
- DVD logo
- CD logo if there’s just audio

Design
- Colour & style to fit artist genre
- Unfolds
- Pictures of the artist
- Cardboard sleeve
- DVD/CD
- Booklet


Why do people release a DVD Digipak?
Consumer: More product, more choice, makes it more value for money
Industry: exploiting the product, to make it more appealing to the consumers

Which Style to Choose?

Here are the different designs that I have contemplated when designing my CD cover for Sam. I have looked at a variety of design, both conventional and unconventional.

The Gatefold Card Case:

Here is the Arctic Monkeys 2007 album 'Favourite Worst Nightmare'. This design looks stylish, well made and I like how you open out the design to reveal the CD. Another advantage for this design is that more artwork can be shown in the design, showing images of the band or the house design. However, his design can be damaged easily due to the material used. I like this design and this is a main contender when making the final decision.

Molded Plastic CD Case:

This CD design is by Bloc Party for their 'Flux Remixes' CD single that was handed out with an issue of NME in 2007. I like how different this design is to all the other cases I have considered, making a simple thing interesting and cool. The downsides for this design is that it does not have much room for artwork to be displayed or a booklet to be included inside the design. Furthermore, this design would be difficult to use as the design is rare.

Super Jewel Plastic Case:

Here is the standard CD case for a brand new CD single or album. This case, the Super Jewel Box, is the successor to the conventional clear plastic case that sold in the millions. I like look and feel of the design, but is too run of the mill for my liking as i want my design to stand out. I would prefer something that allows me to be more creative and i beleive that this does not allow that.

Plastic Jewel Case with Clear Plastic Sleeve:

This unconventional CD design is by Bloc Party, when releasing their second album, 'Weekend In The City'. This version of the album is a special edition which includes a DVD. Unlike the normal version of this album, the band name and album title is printed onto a clear plastic sleeve. Another difference for the edition is the red plastic jewel case, which makes in distinctive for other designs. I like this design as it is striking and different from most other designs. Also, the clear plastic clear could be used for many ideas to create the front or back covers.

Card Boxset Case:

This design was used for the 2008 album by Maximo Park called 'Quicken The Heart'. I really like this design for the CD/DVD version of the album as it looks very professional and a different design from the normal. Inside the card sleeve are two seperate card gatefold designs that include the CD or DVD and a booklet to go with it. Along with that is a booklet of pictures from the bands 'journey' when producing the album. As well as the look, I think the feel of the design is excellent and this is my favourite design from the ones I have reviewed.