My presentation on the Psoma design group

1. ALBUM ART/DIGIPAK SECONDARY RESEARCH
PSOMA DESIGN GROUP
Michael Scotney

2. INTRODUCTION
 For my next piece of research into digipak/album design I decided
to take primary research into examples from a current professional
design group.
 So I went on http://www.psomadesign.com/albumart.htm and
checked out the examples of their work while analysing a number of
factors regarding all of these designs and whether or not I found
them effective and why. It also contains full Digipak design which
my other research has not shown so this research is important.

3. EXAMPLE 1 – JASON MASI – LIFE IS WONDERFUL
 What impressed me with this design is the use
of colour schemes. The simple rusty red/orange
colour, with white text and the black/white
gradient really works as a colour scheme and
makes the whole Digipak integrated as a whole.
 The right inside panel of the Digipak to go
behind the CD features a great piece of
innovation. It clearly fits the artists’
personal/emotional music style and image,
with a hand-written lyric sheet making the
lyrics seem more meaningful. It also features
great technological innovation through a link to
a page displaying the albums lyrics in red and
bold black typography.
 The black and white image of the artist on the
left inside panel links to the star image theory –
as he wants the audience to put a face to the
music (increases recognition).

4. EXAMPLE 2 – MUKAGEE – WHAT YOU SEE
 The instantly striking aspect of the Digipak/album
cover is the darkness. This is clever as it reflects the
rock/metal genre of their music and the ‘dark’
lyrical themes within.
 The front cover itself is very effective. It is a
photographic image with heavy manipulation which
from my other secondary research I have learned is
used throughout. The angle is an interesting low
angle with the mud and dirt in view – perhaps
reflecting dark nature of music. The manipulation
makes the image enticing to the eye – an obvious
aim of the cover. The audience is intrigued by the
hand appearing from the light and so is very
effective.
 Again the typography is distinct and fits the tree – a
main focus of the image, with its crooked nature
again displaying the dark themes, which is also
reflected on the silhouette of the disc itself. So,
in my opinion the cover is very effective.

5. EXAMPLE 3 – LOST SATELLITES – WORLDS COLLIDE
 The first thing I think is really effective about
this Digipak design is the almost watercolour
texture and gradient across the design – from
hazy white with tinges of the navy through
navy and dark navy works very well as a
contrast between the light and the dark (space
theme)
 The card on the right panel of the CD cover
tray is also effective with a child's illustration
of aliens which links to the lyrical theme of
the album and the little boy featured on the
front cover which is interesting in itself.
 The best element is the spacing and
arrangement in my opinion. The boy is central
in the shot but contextually small, staring
towards the bright light and looks vulnerable
with the dark nature of the colour texture
creating a unsettling image.
 Also important is the typography of the songs
featured on the album at the bottom of the
back panel – a theme throughout the examples
I have looked at which I feel is key to look to
include in my project.

6. OTHER EFFECTIVE THINGS FOUND THROUGHOUT THE PAGE
 One of the other effective panels from the
Digipaks was the Dooley Noted – ‘Edible
Inaudibles’ photographic album cover with a
high quality extreme close up of a strawberry
with a guitar pick placed in it. While the
cover is quite random, the colours of the
perfectly ripe strawberry and the guitar pick
complement, as well as with the background
to make a pleasing visual combination and
attract attention.
 The McGuffin ‘Like you I once was’ back
cover panel has interesting typography with
different sizes and degrees of bold text. This
makes it stand out more and so the audience
pays it attention.
 Stacy Koviak’s ‘Time to fly’ album cover and
back has a unique string design making out as
a wrapper for the album which is an
innovative addition that helps it feel more
valued. The contents of the back cover is
also very important for my project with the
barcode, credits for design/production team,
record company and CD type recognition.

7. EVALUATION
 All of the information in this presentation will be very helpful in helping plan my album
cover/digipak. From clever colour schemes to innovative techniques such as the lyric
notebook or the string packaging, the research has given me lots of creative ideas and
things to keep in mind when planning the project. For example, I will try to include 3
main colours as a theme throughout the design which I have seen helps make album
covers more effective (if with a suitable design).
 Its also given me important information on what to include (e.g record company name,
website link of band, lyrics link, barcode, song titles, producer/designer credits etc).
 So overall, although not specific research as most covers were not from my songs genre
(metal this primary research has been one of the most helpful research sources I have
looked at for the creation of my digipak/album art.