ancillary research

ancillary research

• 1.
  Magazine adverts and Digipak Analysis
• 2.
  A$AP ROCKY LONG LIVEA$AP (digipak)
• 3.
  Name of artist– Appears to be in the centre of the front cover of the digipak which fits into one of the typical conventions of the positioning of the name of the artist either being at the top or in the centre. Name of album. The font used doesn’t differ from the font that is used for the name of the artist. Usually they tend to differ to offer recognition. Even though I know the genre that A$AP ROCK falls under, it is fairly clear that he is part of the hip hop genre due to the design of his stage name. it includes a dollar sign which is what we often associate with hip hop artists/ rappers. In terms of stereotypes, we often associate black males to be part of hip hop and rap music culture which is also another signifier The photograph/ colour scheme is in black and white which gives the impression that the songs on the album is either negative or depressing. If the image was to be put together to be one whole image, it would be a medium close up shot. The medium close up image has been manipulated into an exaggerated style through an editing software. The name of the artist/ title appears to be of the same size which is not what you would typically see in most album covers. The title usually appears larger in size than the album name. they also appear to be within the same style (font) and positioning. Representing the united states by wearing a US flag across him. This simply shows that he is cherishes the country that he lives in. FRONT COVER
• 4.
  Song names. Doesn’t include the numbers for each track but Iam sure that they are in order from top to bottom A variety of social networking sites that the artist and the record labels appear on. This gives viewers the opportunity to research further to gain more interest It is vital that all CD’s have a barcode. Barcode’s are often located on the top or left right hand side at the back of the digipak. There is no image at the back of the digipak. However, the VHS effect has been applied to the back which is what is shown on the front cover that includes the artist. This is to compliment the front cover the case to approve that it is together. Record label logo’s which is what all digipaks must include. Usually they are located at the back of the case
• 5.
  Beyoncé 4 (full digipak)
• 6.
  This is oneof Beyoncé’s album called ‘4’. The name of the artist is covered by the artist in the middle of the name. This has deliberately done since she is a well known artist across the globe. Therefore the positioning of the model is not an issue since it is easy to recognise due to the large text and unique name. To add, the text that the artist name is in is quite basic which is what is quite often used for the artist or in another simple font. A medium shot has been used which is frequently used in R&B album covers or medium close ups. Beyoncé lays against a plain neutral background with no accessories which makes it even more clear that she is part of the R&B genre. The size of the artist name and title of album fits with the typical representations of a front cover of a digipak. The location of the artist name is directly on the centre at the top in capital’s. The title of the album appears to be the second smallest on the front cover which is located on the right bottom corner which is what you would typically expect it to be. Singles have been included on the digipak as an individual piece. It has been applied on a sticker. The sticker is in the colour red which is associated with alertness especially because the rest of the colours used for the front cover are plain. The most popular singles are addressed which will attract customers to buy it.
• 7.
  The logo ofthe record label ‘song music’ appears to be located at the bottom. It is used to make others aware of which record label the artist is with. The image for the back of the Digi pack is practically similar to the image on the front in terms of the setting and similar style. I believe that the setting is on a balcony. As you may notice, the sky in this image is probably the background of the front cover. In contrast, the costume is different since Beyoncé is no longer wearing a fur jacket but a leotard. The name of the artist is located in the same position as the front cover. This is to highlight the artist since she is popular which creates a sense of persuasion and recognition. In comparison to A$AP ROCKY album cover, the tracks on the album appear to be in a small section on the right hand size. In a sentence/ list type rather than the list style like the male rapper. This is because R&B music albums tend to have this style of listing as a convention whereas music genres such as rap/ hip hop tend to literally list order the song tracks. In my opinion, this style of addressing the tracks look much neater at presentable. All the less important information is at the bottom. The barcode is at the bottom right which is where it is frequently seen or on the top right corner.
• 8.
  According from research,it appears that the booklet that appears to be inside the digipak is called sleeve notes which consists of information based about the CD: Note: can contain lyrics to songs instead of information. In this case, Beyoncé's sleeve note contains pages filled with the names of each track along side individual photographs that match the theme of the song/ photographs that were taken from the video shoot. From looking on the right hand side, I have taken a photograph of a page which is of the song ‘Love On Top’ which mentions the name of the song writer of the song and photographer. I have noticed that the name of the songs appears to be in the same font as the name of Beyoncé on the front cover. This shows a consistent style within the digipak to make it fit in well. As I physically open the digipak, there appears to be two features of either side; a booklet and a CD. The CD is red in colour and has a large black letter B in the middle in a font style that represents the artist by just the one initial. It doesn’t match the font of the rest of the text throughout the pack. The record label is addressed at the bottom although it is also at the back of the CD cover. I almost believe that this has been done if the CD and case separates from each other to inform other of the record label that the artist is with.
• 9.
  Coldplay 4 (digipak and advert)
• 10.
  Arty design whichhas been created to represent the name of the album called X&Y. The name of the band and the name of the album appears to be on the same side as each other with the same text and font size. This is not what you would typically find on a digipak front cover. The design falls in the centre of the front cover allowing loads of free space around it. The tracks appear to be in a list of the left hand side. The record label strangely appears to be located at the top left of the digipak. Usually it appears at the bottom The barcode is in the typical position that it would usually be on any type of digipak. There is no design on the back of the digipak. However, the main colour scheme remains the same which is the most important part.
• 11.
  From looking atother magazine adverts, this seems to be one that differs from the rest. Usually, I would notice a similar image like the actual album cover – however, the album cover appears to be small in size on the bottom left corner which is used to make viewers/ potential buyers and fans be familiar with the design of the album cover once it is released. Since the original image that is on the album cover, it appears to be an image of the members of the band which covers half of the advert. I believe that this is because their personal recognition is not really shown much in their music videos. Therefore, it gives viewers the opportunity to visualise who the members of the band actually are. The name of the album/ band is designed into a font which stands out amongst the release of the album. It is more than basic whereas the font for the release date is quite narrow in font and simple to make it instantly recognisable of its release. On the bottom right corner, the advert mentions that it was created from EMI which is a music record label that COLDPLAY is in association with. However, on the left hand corner, the logo of the Parlophone record label is included which successfully allows viewers to be aware of the additional record label that the band is in association with. It also includes the name of the bands personal website which offers people the opportunity to look up the band if they are unaware of them.
• 12.
  I have decidedto analyse another magazine advert of Coldplay’s. I have now identified that the band tends to have some sort of design on their musical products. The name of the album actually tends to be much more larger than the name of the band. This is rather unusual because this is not a typical convention of a magazine advert. As I previously mentioned from my research for conventions, the name of the artist/ band usually appears to be the largest to catch viewers eyes instantly. From my groups findings, the band is a pop rock group. This literally explains the reason why the background image of the advert is colourful. This successfully makes viewers aware of the possible types of genres that the band is associated since the vibrant colours are seen as fun and youthful. The size of the name of the artist and the date of release it relatively the same. I believe that they have the same amount of importance even though they are smaller than the title of the album. Date of release is highly important on magazine adverts since it makes viewers aware and prepared for the upcoming release of the album otherwise there would be no sales. Sometimes, magazine adverts tend to include the logo of the record label that they are associated with. In this case, the advert of Coldplay includes their record label located at the bottom middle of the page. It appears that the information throughout the entire advert is in the colour white. I believe that this has been done to enable all the information to stand out amongst the busy background. Any other colour would not be visible enough to see. The information at the bottom differs from the larger text at the top. Because the larger text is exaggerated, it enables viewers to set focus properly to what is written. The text at the bottom however, is in a more simpler style which makes it much easier for viewers to follow whilst reading.
• 13.
  Here is amagazine advert of Artic Monkeys album ‘AM’. I have chosen to analyse Artic Monkey’s since they are in relation to the pop rock genre. Therefore, this will help me deciding on what to use for my magazine advert by combining different styles from different pop rock bands. Instantly, the entire style is near to basic. It remains to be in two different basic colours – black and white. The connotations of white is innocence, goodness. Perhaps the slight rock element of the genre has been supported through the colour black which is associated with power and death which is what the rock genre is seen as. I believe that there is a contrast of good and bad being represented on the advert. There appears to be minimal information. It only includes the name of the band, album title and date. Because it is very near to basic, it is easy for viewers to rapidly intake the information that is being provided. The font used throughout the advert is almost the same. The band name is slightly manipulated to an angle whereas the writing at the bottom is standard front which interlinks with the level of communication that it offers to viewers instantly. The size of the writing appears to fit with the connotations of magazine adverts. The name of the band is the largest and the title of the album is the second largest which stands out amongst. The smaller writing around its area. I am unsure to what the design in the centre is representing. It reminds me of a heart rate monitor in the shape of glass lenses. This possibly could represent the pop side of the genre by making it be seen a cool.