Digipak Analysis

A Digipak is a style compact CD or DVD packaging.They typically consist of a gatefold (book-style) paperboard or card stock outer binding, with one or more plastic trays capable of holding a CD or DVD attached to the inside.

One example of a Digipak in commercial use is Flight of the Conchords second album, I Told You I Was Freaky, from 2009.



Flight of the Conchords are a folk parody duo from New Zealand comprised of JEmaine Clement and Bret McKenzie. The pair have found worldwide success with their hybrid blend of musical talent and comic genius. This is evident within their Digipak, as inside the package there is a sleeve in which the CD is contained, and on this sleeve there are pictures either side of the two artists crying diamond tears. This is a reference to the opening track of the album 'Hurt Feelings', where they sing 'These are the diamond tears of a rapper', which shows the comedic side of the duo.





However, they are also very talented musicians, and another unconventional feature of this Digipak is the inclusion of the guitar chords for all their songs alongside their lyrics for the use of up and coming folk parody hopefuls.
There is also an intersting picture that runs across two sides of the Digipak (when open) of Bret and Jemaine taken from behind them while they are on stage. Not only is this an attractive design, but it could also connote that fans that have bought the Digipak are part of the band, which is a very appealing feature.

Although some Digipaks don't provide much more substance than the standard packaged CD, I believe this example to be extremely successful and one that we can hopefully take a lot from when it comes to creating our own.