Photobook for the CD Album

Kpop albums usually come with a Photobook. A photobook is simply a collection of images in a book which comes with the Album. The images are taken from the music video and/or a photoshoot in relation to the music video and album.

This is an example of a photobook from BOA's music album Only One. As you can see the images vary from black and white to color.

I have made a similar style to follow the conventions of a photo-book Korean style. I used the same techniques I obtained from the music CD album. Nevertheless, I have decided to make my photos smaller than the example as I want mine to fit inside the CD.

 

 

Construction of CD album

Firstly, I got a measuring tape and a random DVD and recorded down the sizes as I want my album to be the same size. I also measured the inside leaflet as I want to add a small photobook for the fans.

 

Feedback during construction

 

 

 

I asked some of my target audience which shade of brown/beighe they prefered and the majority of them said they ligheter shade. I acted upon their feedback by blending the colours and turning it a lightly orange-y shade due to the fact that it didn't stand out enhough.

 

 

I then asked my audience after I edited the colour and gave then two choices and the majority of them chose the lighter orange. Thus following their decision, I continued to work on the rest of the CD case.

 

 

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Audience Feedback

Natalie Elvin, 17, Female

 

What do you think of front cover?

I'd instantly it's a K-pop album because of the colours you've used and I know for a fact that K-pop albums use dark-neutral colours. I like the cherry blossom layer you've used and it shows her innocent side and I'd also associate it with Kpop/Asia.

 

What do you think of the font I've used?

I like how you've made the artists name a lot bigger than the rest and it shows that Mi-Kyong has a lot of star power.

 

What do you like/dislike about the spine?

I like how you've laid out the font in a vertical manner 'cause if this was on a shelf I wouldn't need to turn my head around to see the album name. I think you could have changed the artists initials in a different colour to make it stand out more.

 

What are your feedbacks on the back?

I like how you've included 2 images in the background and it fits with the album name of Disturbance. The colour scheme and layout, you've kept it consistent and that's a crucial characteristic on an album. You've also added a barcode and the record labels logo which hits the criteria. There's a bit of a blank space on the back but if you've added more to it I think that it would have been too much and not balanced.

 

What are your thoughts on the CD itself?

The clock relates to the music video Disturbance and entices the audience to listen to the other songs. I like the picture you've used and she's directly looking at the audience which makes them want to listen to the CD. I like how you've subverted it and doesn't follow the CD case. 

 

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Rebecca Davis, 17, female

 

What do you like about the front cover?

I like the fact that it's simple but effective.  I has a focus point to it which I really like, it's not like the western type CDs which has too much going on that it gives me a head ache. I like how the texts look 3D.

 

What do you like/dislike about the spine?

I like the fact that you used the same font from the front cover too which shows continuity. It stands out from the rest and if I saw this on a shelf i'd notice it as it's vertical and not horizontal.

 

What are your feedbacks on the back?

I like how you've got the barcode and the SM entertainment logo which makes it look legimiate. I like how you've kept it all the same throughout the entire album.

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Abbie Boorman, 17, female

What do you like about the front cover?
I really like the cherry blossom tree and it links well with the Asian culture, thee colours contrast well and it makes her stand out even more.

Thoughts on the spine?
I like the logo at the spine and the vertical text. I like how you've got the initials of the artist.

what do you like about the back?
I like the pictures you've used, I like the same frame you've used as it's the same as the front and the barcode looks real.
 

 

Planning the Album

This is a collection of Korean Pop albums and it's evident that they do not follow the uniform square thus I shall follow this convention.  It's also usual to see that some albums are just artwork for example U-Kiss and EXO. It's something which is common to see, though pictures of the artist/group is also common to see or a mash-up picture to create a unique cover for example Shinee's Dream Girl album.

Conventions of the front cover which I will try follow:
* A simple picture of the artist/band OR a simple artwork
* The name of the artist/group
* The name of the album
* The record company lable

 

Conventions of the back cover which I will try to follow: 

* A simple colour for the background
* The picture of the artist/group but the pose is different from the front cover
* The list of songs
* Simple font so that it's easy to use
* The logo of the record company
* A few text details

Conventions of the Spine:
* Easy and readable font
* Logo of the artist/band
* Name of the group/artist
* Same colour as the main cover

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This is my first idea. I wanted to have a vintage oval frame where the image of my artist  would be I was inspired my Girls Generation’s The Boys Album. I wanted my artists to portray class and elegance. The swirls will be a new layer with a texture which I imagine would look good. Another aspect of the album I wanted to incorporate into my own was the colour scheme. The baby pink, blue and silver-y grey all together looks great. On the other hand, the quick sketch  I have done does look a little bit boring which is why I need to add something to it that would make it unique and different.

This is my second idea. I plan to have a cherry blossom tree branch on the side to connote love and also to link it with the traditional Korean Culture. I kept the oval frame as I like it and I think that it would look good with the floral layer. The image that I will choose for the frame will have to either contrast or combine with the rest of the album. If I choose a contrasting image then I will need to make the rest of the colour of the album the opposite colour to make my artist stand out. 

This is my second idea and the oval frame has been enlarged as I want my artist to be seen and also grab the fans eyes. However, I feel that the design is too simple and plain for my liking. I don't think that I will be using this as it doesn't attract me let alone the target audience.











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Final Ideas 

I have come up with the conclusion that I will use my second idea as I believe a lot of people will like it. 

I have decided to use earthy colours to connote love and to go with the season. I think my by subverting the characteristics of the genre, it would make my product stand out against the rest of the albums out in the market. Furthermore, I used these colours as they are similar to the magazine advert and this would show continuation and the audience will be able to link it together.

I will also be using 3 images for the whole case of the album and there are: 

I chose this picture as the front image for the album as it looks nice, the direct mode of address is evident. Her body language conveys a shy yet forward. Her hand gesture shows elegance and how careful she is when putting her earring on. Her mouth is slightly parted therefore emitting her sexual appeal which will entice the male demographic.

This will be the one of the two pictures for the back cover. Her eyes shows a pleading yet innocent look within them which will show her naive side which will link with the songs on the album.

This will be the other image for the back cover and I like this image as it shows her confident side. Her hair falls wonderfully on her shoulders which shows her feminine side and again she's making direct eye contact.