This CD packaging is a very futuristic and high tech looking design, as if it an anachronism like an object from the future in this modern time. The design is as if it is a hint towards new technology which especially in Nokia's case is what they would be aiming for as each new phone would be a step forward to creating the next generation of products. The stylising, using a lot of contours and folding and the card materials also add to the next generation edge that they are going for. This type of packaging would definitely make an outside viewer that has no knowledge of the artist or their music they would assume the music was some from of electronic, or dubstep music. This is translated through the sharp high tech feel of the packaging that gives a feel of technology which relates to techno music.
This Houdini packaging is a very interesting and mysterious effort, it gives off a spooky feel and I feel the designer was definitely trying to use the Houdini name as a connection which is a very well known magician, his legacy carries a shroud of mystery and deception that through the shapes and colours used is definitely what you would assume was the premise that they tried to create. The added detail of shackles and chains confirms and completes the the package of magic and danger. The colour scheme used is definitely the correct one for the theme of the album, the dusty texture of blue on the inlay is as if there was dry ice or fog on a magicians stage. I think this is an effect I would like to use on my own designs as I feel that this technique creates a very interesting and unique texture that would add a new element to my album packaging.
The band for this particular CD packaging is Swizzle Stick. this packaging is mostly paper based and includes a lot of extra content and has a postage or sketching notepad theme. This theme is achieved successfully from the different packaging used and items related to postage such as postage stamps, bubble wrap and small postcards.The card exterior is a the most obvious relation to the postage theme. I feel that the music is targeted towards hipster or alternative cultured people. I think this because this is a very unique style of packaging at something you would see on the shelf in most music stores. This packagings extra content includes several illustrations with ver abstract and open ended meanings relating back to the alternative style of music and audience. Included there is also notes and photographs also of abstract images. The 'postage stamp' used for this packaging is a handmade postage stamp of some kind of king figure related to the band themselves and would most likely be easily identifiable by a fan of the band.
This piece of packaging of VH1's 50 Greatest Hip Hop Artists is one of my favourites out of the 5 packaging examples I have analysed. This not only because is a genre of music I enjoy and relate to but also because I feel it is one of the most creative ones I've analysed. They have use hip hop cultured imagery as the basis of the packaging. The packaging when made represents boom box , an iconic object in retro hip hop culture and is fully relevant to the music itself because it is the 50 greatest hip hop rappers of all time which will mostly consist of old school rappers from the 80s and 90s that would have used a boom box to listen to there music. There is also symbolism of break dancing and dance moves related to hip hop. These images are on the inside of the packaging are added content for hardcore hip hop fans that would value and enjoy the added detail. The audience unlike some of the other packaging examples, the audience for the product is very obvious, it is obviously targeted towards hip hop lovers.
This packaging design is made by Vonnegut Dollhouse for their album Ornamental Etherworld. They are a progressive rock band based in East Vancouver. The packaging is themed as a doll house which relates the band name. Instead of a standard CD with a dollhouse on the front. The packaging it self folds out as a platform for pop out characters that come with the album. Alternatively you can use it as a carry case for the CD, it becomes an actually card based dollhouse with a roof and illustrated detail added to the exterior and interior. The card pop outs are relatable to not only the name of the band but also the the music genre that the band perform as they have musical instruments that they have to use as props.
