Research into similar products: Digi pak trays

The Pale Emperor:

The Pale Emperor is  rare example of an alternative / indie CD disk in which there is a character as the main image. However, this still conforms to the conventions of alt rock CDs as the character in the main image is still not using direct mode of address.

This differs largely to more mainstream CD disks such as products by Nicki Minaj, in which the contact between the artist and the audience is very direct:

 Meds:

This CD by Placebo is normal for the band, as many of their CD disks have been extremely plain and minimalist:

However, the track "Too Many Friends" is from a CD disk that is much more explosive in colour:

Although it retains all of the record label details, the design is much more innovative than their previous CDs.

Rosenrot (Rose-Red in English)

For bands such as Rammstein, edgy, ambiguous designs are the norm:

The disks from Rammstein differ from Placebo as despite the metallic appeals, the CDs are still quite plain in colour and leave much to the imagination,

Transit of Venus:

Similarly to the Foo Fighters Wasting Light disk (below), Three Days Grace's transit of venus disk continues Placebo's pattern of minimalism. The disk is holistic with the front and back cover of Transit of Venus as the red-orange hue remains. It also has the convention of aspects of alternative rock products having hidden meanings. For example, the transit of venus is in the shape of a CD:

Wasting Light:

Although the disk appears quite plain at first, it is one of the only alternative rock CD disks I have found that feature an instrument that a band member plays. Using props is usually put aside for the front covers of alt rock CDs.

Research Conclusion:

I like the minimalism of the Placebo CDs, as they conform to the conventions of having (few or) no characters in the main image. However, I also like the subtle use of props from the Foo Fighters disk, so I plan to incorporate both of these into my draft.