CD/DVD Digipack magazine ad convention

I am going to look at the key features of cd digipacks as well as magazines and how they address its customers. The following things I’m going to look at are chase and status’s brand new LP called ‘No More Idols’ as well as Katy B’s debut album. Both of these are relative to our genre and have both been released in 2011, so this means it will follow current trends.

The key features and conventions of a cd digipack are the following:

• Artist name
• Image
• Same font and colour throughout inner sleeve and back cover

This cover by Chase and Status immediately catches our attention for two reasons. The colour yellow is very bright, and when placed behind a dark background it creates high contrast and catches our eye. The colour yellow tends to be associated with hazard signs and some emergency vehicles, because of the high visibility of bright yellow holds. The use of an emergency type of feeling can unconsciously create excitement for the viewer because of how much it stands out. However we can also notice an extreme close up of a bulldog behind the writing. Bulldogs are beefy, strong and when things are linked with this animal we do think of menace. Perhaps
Chase and Status are showing that this album is dangerous in a good way, it will get you excited and pumped up, and the fact that the bulldog is there creates a statement that it means business.

Once again the colour theme of black and yellow again adds to the feeling of caution. You as a buyer feel that this album should be handled with care. This goes well with the genre that Chase and Status are connected with. The deep bass that’s linked with dubstep and the quick drums all make a very quick paced genre and when played in clubs, dancers feel as if their getting a shot of adrenaline.
Another thing we notice is that the barcode, label company and distributors are put into one side of the back cover. We know that all this is associated with Chase and Status, however the people who have designed the cover know that when buying an album, the consumer wants to notice the main contents of the album such as the album front cover and track list.


Another album we’re going to look at is Katy B’s self entitled album. As an artist blessed with a strong voice, but on the same hand challenges melodic theme songs and goes with powerful bass ridden instrumentals, she’s an artist in her own separate category.
This album goes for the simplistic look which is very effective. We instantly see a mid shot of the artist behind simple plain white writing. Another feature that adds to the simplicity is the environment Katy is in; an empty street. When seeing this cover a sense of inspiration is placed in our head. Katy B is looking ahead of her in an empty street, which gives us the feel that it’s an inspiring experience for her and maybe that this album may motivate others.

The main colours associated with this album are blue and violet. Blue is calming and can be strong and committed or light and friendly. Whilst the colour red shows powerful emotion, blue on the other hand conveys importance and confidence without being sombre or sinister, hence the blue power suit of the corporate world and the blue uniforms of police officers. We can see this throughout the album when Katy has songs talking about love and having a good time through her powerful voice.
Lighter purples are more romantic and delicate and this goes well with Katy’s over all voice, which gives a feeling off delicacy within her songs.



The key features and conventions of a cd digipack magazine hold are the following:

• Artist
• Image of the artist
• Reviews
• Release dates
• Additional features (other atists/whats hot)

DJ MAG is a magazine that is heavily influenced by club /dubstep/ drum & bass music.
To promote the artist, in this case Chase & Status, the magazine follows the norms of making a successful magazine. We have the close up of the artists as well as the logo of the magazine brand and the main mast head.
The former is seen in a bright yellow bold writing. Once again, these vibrant colours are all intended to do one main thing, to attract potential readers. It cannot be done with small writing e.g. 12 times new roman, it is expected to be done in the sizes of 60-75 with a bold font such as Arial to name a few.

Other features include a banner on the top showing the promotion of a free cd. Readers would look at this and see it as an extra as they’re just paying for magazine but are getting an extra thing for free. It is an effective tactic used to attract more users.


Extra stuff such as album reviews, interviews of other artists and events are seen on the side but in a smaller sized font. This is a good way to set the magazine because white and yellow makes the fonts consistent and not over top, its simple but yet effective. Fonts are usually smaller as they do not divert the attention of the reader from the main part which is Chase & Status. However by being a reasonable size they do not make the reader ignore what else the magazine holds.