The old adage that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover is worth keeping in mind when dealing with people, but when talking about actual books it sort of falls apart. A badly designed cover, whether for a book or for aDVD, can seriously turn off potential buyers. True, many classics have been saddled with unfortunate covers over the years, but no one will know your film is a classic if no one is buying it to begin with. From a marketing perspective, it pays to be superficial.
DVD art is essential for indie films. If your film is relatively unknown, many people will learn of its existence by catching a glimpse of the DVD cover, either in the store or in an Amazon thumbnail. You have an extremely limited amount of time to make an impression. People will be far less likely to take a chance on an unfamiliar film if the cover is poorly constructed: for an indie film, amateurish DVD art can suggest an amateurish film.
Of course, just as bad art has its pitfalls, good art has its benefits. Inventive and eye-catching art will make collectors want to own the film on DVD rather than rent or stream it. DVD packaging has the potential to become as iconic as movie posters were in their heyday. While your indie studio may not be able to afford Criterion Collection-caliber designers, having a professional looking DVD will only work to your advantage. Take your time when designing your DVD; you’ll be glad you did.