K-pop album design strategies applied to the Western music industry

Abstract

The massive growth in daily listeners and active music fans is largely thanks to the digitalization of music and the easy accessibility that it offers. However, with the continuous expansion of the industry, fans and artists alike have been presented with a wider range of choices over music formats and promotion strategies. While different music mediums are often consumed based on convenience and ease of use, the sentiment of musical projects as well as the preservation of physical media have gained new importance over recent years. A physical album is no longer just a medium of music, but rather a deliberate artistic approach. K-pop acts are not new to this idea. They are an example of how a physical album can be used as a tool to further convey the stories and messages within their music.