Print Production - Digipak Analysis - Mainstream

In contrast with the more alternative approach from Muse, I've looked at how a mainstream artist would approach digipak design too.

Contrary to Muse's illustrative approach, the album for Se7en uses photography to portray the artist. A close-up head-and-shoulders shot of the artist establishes his image as a branding device - looking directly at the camera, he establishes a connection with and targets the audience. This photo reoccurs on the CD design, too. The colours are muted and in almost sepia tones, and the background is dark shadow. This, combined with the artist's unsmiling face connotes a sense of seriousness and darkness.

The colour themes are echoed in the use of font colours - using a yellowish colour for Se7en's name, and also giving a shine to make it appear as gold, suggestive of riches - "bling" - and all other words are similarly given a metallic sheen for presumably the same purpose - the appearance of expense and class.