CD Packaging Analysis Homework

For this analysis review, I have decided to pick three different CD packages that are in different ways relevant to my packaging ideas.

My first reaction to this was to ask how is the CD held up, but as I looked I saw that with paper folding they have created a way of holding the CD up securely so it opens up like a pop up card. This CD holder was created by Jakob Skarin, who makes custom printed 'Jakeboxes', so they can be made for any band/ musician as he is a hired artist. Other than this Skarin also makes DVD holders, custom card packages and designs for these templates. I would say the target audience would be packaging companies, as the design looks simple but effective and new, showing an elegant way to package CDs. The card would also be cheaper and more recyclable than plastic packaging, meaning it could be bought by those who care for sustainability and the environment. If this is the case then musicians who have this sort of political message in their music would order this sort of packaging. I see the specific demographic type of people for this product as young adults who care about the environment, like hippies and who listen to this sort of political music, which usually falls under a sub genre of contemporary pop music. As this design can be ordered, the design can be a free range, but limited to computer generated designs, which makes it more simple and minimalistic. This limits the freedom of hand made creative style which I like to use, and forces the company logo on a predestined area. On the example it shows the Nokia logo on the bottom left corner, however, with no design on the front to show, I find it bland and a wast of the pop up design as there is nothing to show, however the paper folding design may influence me in using a similar way to hold or house my CD.

Dollhouse is a surprisingly simple packaging idea, however it is made as an interesting pop-up piece. It was made for the Canadian indie band 'Vonnegut', which reflects the packaging idea as it is original and not like any other CD case. It is made handy and safe from damage by the sides which are collapsible; linking its suitability to houses, which sore things and are quite safe. It was designed by Jeff Harrisons who worked with Rethink Communications after working closely with the band on the album art. The sort of music and interesting album art would appeal to young adults, creative students or hipsters who only listen to relatively unheard of music, such as this band as they are not known worldwide. They images they have used have been stylised in miniatures and photographed, same as with the band figures. The furniture looks to be soft and comfy and the background wallpaper looks warm and bright in a form of pleasant beige. The mood of this and I'm guessing the mood of the mood of the music would be bright and upbeat.

Here the artist has decorated screen print shirt fabric as a sleeve for a CD cover. This makes it a handy sleeve as it can be unbuttoned and the CD can be taken out more easily than a regular card sleeve. The piece was created for the indie rock musician and producer Warren Defever for his album 'ESP- beetles', which is reflected in the choice of material used to create the sleeve as it is the sort of clothing the fans of this music genre would wear: hipsters, who listen mostly to relatively unheard of and independently produced music like this. The use of the calm sky blue old shirt puts me in a relaxed mood and reminds me of long road trips, wearing an old shirt like in  films. The name of the album 'ESP- beetles' could refer to the old model of car, the Volkswagon Beetle, putting me in mind of an old, worn-out car on a long trip. The screen print design has been stylistically peeled and worn to make it look old, scruffy and faded, which relates to the genre of music as well: indie rock travel music. The typographic stenciled logo has been given a decoration of squares and hearts in a pattern, which makes it look like a racing flag. The paint around the hearts are given an oozing look, which could indicate that some of the songs on the album could also be about relationships, possibly ending badly as they are black and leaking, leading to negative connotations. Though the piece is one of the more effective CD packaging ideas I've seen, I notice the drawback on the faded lettering is that it is hard to see the logo. As a piece, it is effective as it is simple yet well made and memorable.