This thesis aims to analyze the role and importance of music packaging during its historical evolution. Starting with the first manifestations with the phonograph cylinder in the late 1800s, the focus shifts to the advent of the 78 rpm phonograph record, which saw the emergence of the first artistic covers. The investigation continues with the introduction of 33 and 45 rpm vinyl records in the 1940s, which marked a turning point in the production of music packaging thanks to the covers created by designers, graphic artists and artists. Through an analysis of the main trends that have emerged over the decades, regarding music packaging and covers, a detailed history of these visual art forms is traced. In addition, the impact on the recording industry caused by the introduction of the audio cassette, and later on the arrival of the CD and its jewel case packaging, is examined. Subsequently, we observe the advent of the mp3 format, which, thanks to the possibilities offered by the Internet, becomes one of the main means of enjoying music in the late 90s and early 2000s. This led to the opening of online stores legal, but also to the diffusion of software and communities that preferred the download of pirated mp3 files for its convenience and low cost. Finally, in recent years, we have witnessed the prevalence of streaming as the main means of listening to music. This has brought about further paradigm shifts for record labels, artists and designers as they have had to adapt to promote music in a visually appealing way. Through an in-depth historical analysis, this thesis aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the transformations of music packaging over the decades, exploring its interactions with the music industry, emerging technologies and consumer preferences. Such research contributes to the understanding of the crucial role that music packaging has played in the cultural and commercial context, highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing artists, designers and record labels. Contributions from recording industry professionals will also be included through interviews, in order to provide current evidence on the role and importance of music packaging and visual communication in music.
La presente tesi si propone di analizzare il ruolo e l'importanza del packaging musicale nel corso della sua evoluzione storica. Partendo dalle prime manifestazioni con il cilindro fonografico alla fine del 1800, l'attenzione si sposta sull'avvento del disco fonografico a 78 giri, che ha visto emergere le prime copertine artistiche. L'indagine prosegue con l'introduzione dei dischi in vinile a 33 e 45 giri negli anni '40, i quali hanno segnato un punto di svolta nella produzione del packaging musicale grazie alle copertine realizzate da designer, grafici e artisti. Attraverso un'analisi delle principali tendenze emerse nei vari decenni, riguardo ai packaging musicali e alle copertine, viene tracciata una storia dettagliata di queste forme d'arte visiva. Inoltre, viene esaminato l'impatto nel settore discografico causato dall'introduzione dell'audiocassetta, e in un secondo momento all'arrivo del CD e del relativo packaging rappresentato dal jewel case. Successivamente, si osserva l'avvento del formato mp3, che, grazie alle possibilità offerte dall'Internet, diventa uno dei principali mezzi di fruizione musicale alla fine degli anni '90 e nei primi anni 2000. Ciò ha portato all'apertura di store online legali, ma anche alla diffusione di software e community che preferivano il download di file mp3 piratati per la sua comodità e basso costo. Infine, negli ultimi anni, si è assistito alla predominanza dello streaming come principale mezzo per l'ascolto della musica. Questo ha comportato ulteriori cambiamenti di paradigma per le etichette discografiche, gli artisti e i designer, che hanno dovuto adattarsi per promuovere la musica in modo visivamente accattivante. Attraverso un'approfondita analisi storica, questa tesi mira a fornire una panoramica esaustiva delle trasformazioni del packaging musicale nel corso dei decenni, esplorando le sue interazioni con l'industria musicale, le tecnologie emergenti e le preferenze dei consumatori. Tale ricerca contribuisce alla comprensione del ruolo cruciale che il packaging musicale ha svolto nel contesto culturale e commerciale, evidenziando le sfide e le opportunità che si presentano agli artisti, ai designer e alle etichette discografiche. Saranno inclusi anche i contributi di professionisti del settore discografico attraverso interviste, al fine di fornire testimonianze attuali sul ruolo e l'importanza del packaging musicale e della comunicazione visiva nella musica.
L'evoluzione del packaging musicale, tra comunicazione e arte. Dai supporti fisici a quelli digitali
Zanardi, Mattia
2022/2023
Abstract
This thesis aims to analyze the role and importance of music packaging during its historical evolution. Starting with the first manifestations with the phonograph cylinder in the late 1800s, the focus shifts to the advent of the 78 rpm phonograph record, which saw the emergence of the first artistic covers. The investigation continues with the introduction of 33 and 45 rpm vinyl records in the 1940s, which marked a turning point in the production of music packaging thanks to the covers created by designers, graphic artists and artists. Through an analysis of the main trends that have emerged over the decades, regarding music packaging and covers, a detailed history of these visual art forms is traced. In addition, the impact on the recording industry caused by the introduction of the audio cassette, and later on the arrival of the CD and its jewel case packaging, is examined. Subsequently, we observe the advent of the mp3 format, which, thanks to the possibilities offered by the Internet, becomes one of the main means of enjoying music in the late 90s and early 2000s. This led to the opening of online stores legal, but also to the diffusion of software and communities that preferred the download of pirated mp3 files for its convenience and low cost. Finally, in recent years, we have witnessed the prevalence of streaming as the main means of listening to music. This has brought about further paradigm shifts for record labels, artists and designers as they have had to adapt to promote music in a visually appealing way. Through an in-depth historical analysis, this thesis aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the transformations of music packaging over the decades, exploring its interactions with the music industry, emerging technologies and consumer preferences. Such research contributes to the understanding of the crucial role that music packaging has played in the cultural and commercial context, highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing artists, designers and record labels. Contributions from recording industry professionals will also be included through interviews, in order to provide current evidence on the role and importance of music packaging and visual communication in music.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/210692