Advertising/Distribution

iTunes is very popular around the world due to Apple being one of the biggest makes for music products used by people of all ages. Therefore, I decided to add my artist into the banner on the top of the iTunes music page which is regularly updated with the newest tracks,  top charts and more. The banner I have added my artist into at the top specifies top stories in terms of up and coming artists, new albums and more, therefore by putting my artist there reflects her image as an artist, which shows she's an independent newsworthy musician and star. Again, using the photograph from the album so my artists target audience will be able to recognize the album when released.


Furthermore, I added her album in the "Pre-Orders" section as I thought it would be relevant due to the magazine advertisement and the album being unreleased.  

I have also added my artist onto the NME Reviews - Upcoming Artists Release Dates section on the NME website, as I thought due to her music having a Alternative/Rock genre, this is the kind of magazine she would be featured in. I decided to do it this way as I thought that a lot more people of all ages use a more interactive way to access information such as release dates of an album. Furthermore, statistics and forums show that the rate of the public buying hard copy music magazines is on a huge decrease as the internet allows us to access a lot more information for virtually free. 

With over 100 million active users, Twitter is one of the most popular social networking websites around the world as it enables the general public to follow and keep updated with their favorite celebrities. It has become even more popular with the celebrities themselves as it enables them to promote new singles/albums/merchandise or any other business that they are involved in a lot more personally. Also, Twitter is the only way that fans can connect and communicate with their stars in a personal way, as the active celebrity users update on Twitter as much as possible, therefore as the celebrity culture grows, so does Twitter.

Through researching on Twitter at the big stars such as Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj and Justin Bieber, I have noticed it is conventional for them to have their Twitter background set as their newest album or photography that will be used for the album, which is what I have done so this twitter page look like the real product. Also, they seemed to have done this with their own profile picture too, which is why I have taken an image that I initially liked but didn't want to use for my album cover, keeping within the theme of the album cover (as it's the same photoshoot) enabling the image to be highly noticeable to the target audience. Also, I have noticed that the 3 celebrities that I researched also had the release date of their album/single/what they are currently working on, in their description box as well, which again is to try and promote and get the album name noticed as much as possible.

Finished Ancilary Text - Magazine Advertisement

Finished Ancilary Text - Digipak

Finished Video

Magazine Advertisement Drafts/Experiments

Taking into account that it is conventional for the album to be the main photograph on the advertisement, I have tried to fit my finished album cover onto it. Although I don't think it has been successful in this way as the black part of my performers jacket cuts the page into two, not achieving the conventional look I wanted. Although, I am happy with the positioning and use of content in terms of release date and the ratings (which I quoted my AS Magazine called AMP rating this artist as my intentions for that magazine was for it to promote new up and coming rock/alternative artists). Although, I may try to experiment with other ways I can place my photograph as I think the divide between the album cover and other information is too clear. 

Due to the above magazine advertisement looking like it had been split into two due to where the black on the artists jacket stopped, I decided to change the positioning of the photograph around to the bottom of the page. Although, I found that the problem with this is that when photographing this picture originally I cut off the top of my performers head by accident, therefore it looks unproffessional. Also,  I don't think the artists name catches attention straight away due to it being right at the bottom, when I would prefer it to positioned possibly in the center of the page/top instead.Although, I intend to experiment more and find ways to get around these problems.

I thought that the way to get around my above problems were to maybe shape the artists head a little more, and rather than using the text from the album on her picture, transfer that text upwards so that it catches the audiences attention. Furthermore, the same photograph is used, therefore the target audience will still be recognise the album when it does come out, as the photograph is very bold. I prefer the positioning of the ratings in this layout. Although, I am still unsure as there are still gaps on the right hand side of the advertisement which don't look right. But, I want to experiment more with this idea. Furthermore, I have used the same font text for the artists name as I have on the digipak, as this is a conventional factor and will help the audience recognise the album when it comes out.

Album Cover Experiments

I chose to use this photo as I thought the mid shot enabled my artist to come across as dominant and individualistic in the sense that she will soley be recognised on her individuality as a single artist, rather than a band. Also, it shows the mise-en-scene perfectly, as well as the expression being fierce which was my aim. I experimented with colour, in terms of saturation and contrast. I decided that a high contrast and low saturated look stood out the most. As I was very indecisive as to where to place the text and the fonts, I decided to experiment with the contrast of black and white text as it stands out the most. I liked the fonts here as I thought although they were simple, they caught the most attention. Furthermore, it keeps the album symmetrical which enables my album cover again to make the bold statement that I initally aimed for.

I liked the idea of using a font that was very different and recognisable in terms of if the audience came across it. I also liked the positioning on this as it manages to display a modern slightly mainstream approach to a rock genre.

I liked the fonts used and the positioning of the artists name and album name, although I don't think it fits in with my genre that well as it's not very bold and doesn't catch attention. Although I do like the positioning, therefore I may take this idea and change the font, to something a little bolder.

Digipak Experimenting

I am quite happy with my first initial ideas for my digipak as I think it has kept within the genre and theme of my artists identity. I decided to keep the theme of my music video (dark and edgy) and reflect that in my digipak through the use of black and white contrast effect throughout.

Although, due to the artist having a quite a heavy rock image, I still wanted her to reflect her femininity. Therefore, I have decided to use the red lipstick kiss mark on the two disks, (which I have added on the digipak as the background part would just be plain black), as red lipstick is a stereotypical colour and look that is associated with femininity and a womans appearance. Furthermore, I think the red lipstick being used in my digipak this way has connotations of my artist reinforcing her fierce attitude as a woman, and making that clear to her audience and the public. I also think this is reinforced through the fact I have decided to have the high heels dominant in one of my shots (top-third photograph). 

I am also happy with my choice of using the half painted face in my photography as it reflects two sides to my artists, as well creating a dramatic indentity, I decided that the simple approach to my digipak would be a lot more eye catching and successful as it would be "easier on the eye" than something that may look over the top, as I have already used bold mise-en-scene such as make-up.

 I have kept the back of the digipak very simple in terms of font that is clear and easy to read, again using a black background with white text, keeping within the theme. The contrast is reinforced by the use of white disks as they are the object/purpose of buying the digipak. Furthermore, it's a shade that isn't very dominant throughout (but still used), therefore still manages to fit in with the theme.

Digipak and advertisement photos

25/03/12

I took a total number of 34 photographs for my digipak and advertisement although as they were all very similar I decided to upload the main ones that I thought were worth experimenting with. For example, I liked the photo above as I think it captures the half sugar skull face and half normal face the best showing the clear contrast. Also, the mid-shot is very useful and symmetrical for an album cover. Furthermore, the attitude of the performer comes across like I wanted it to, which is giving her image a dark and edgy look.

I liked this photograph because it captured the attitude of my artist in a very dramatic way. Although, I don't think it's as clear as the first photograph in terms of the contrast between the two halves.

I took these pictures taking into consideration that I would need photographs for the panels inside. Therefore, I thought these long shots enabled the target audience to view the performer/artist in a different light. Although I am aware that these photographs need a lot of editing and fixing in terms for them to work if I wanted to use them.

This long shot photograph is very symmetrical in terms of being able to see the two sides of her face as well as the bed being equally in the middle of the shot. Therefore, I think this could work as either a cover or a panel photograph. Although I would like to use it more as a panel photograph as I liked the first simple picture more.

Fonts for digipak

Through my research of digipaks/album covers, it's clear that the same text font is conventionally used throughout as well as the artist/bands name is conventionally the biggest text on the page and has a font that will be recognisable to their target audience, as it will be the same font used throughout the artists websites and advertising. Therefore, I think it is important that the text reflects my artists image in the sense it fits in with the genre (for example, certain fonts have been made to have a Gothic edge which is normally very noticeable. So, I have collected a few images of fonts that I would like to experiment/maybe use for my digipak for the album name (Wounds) or the artist name (which is undecided as of yet).

I really liked this font because I thought it was different in terms of the fact I had never seen it on a album cover before. Although, I think for the look I am trying to achieve this font may be too over the top and may complicate my cover, and therefore not achieving the look I intially want to create.

I really like this font because it's bold and simple yet a little bit different. Also, I personally don't think it reflects a certain style, which is a bonus as I think the photography should speak a lot more (for my artist). Therefore, I would like to experiment with this font on my album cover because I think it might be successful in terms of working well with my simple images I intend to use. Furthermore, I think it would fit with my genre as it's not overly complicated.

I liked this because I thought it was old-fashioned yet modernised because the original calligraphy style has been altered. Although, I don't think it's quite right for the type of look I am trying to achieve due to it looking maybe slightly too vintage and "girly".

This font caught my attention in terms fo how it came across as quite "rock" genre associated due to the untidy scribbles, although I think it's too complicated and maybe slightly too young for my album cover.

I really liked this font because it's simple and doesn't seem to be attached to a certain style/genre. Therefore I would really like to experiment with this font and see whether it would be worth using.

I recognsied straight away that this font has been used for many things such as horror films and a lot of investigation documentries on TV. I liked it because it sets up a dark mysterious image, although I don't think it would be suitable for an album cover due to where it has been previously used and the type of media it is associated with.

                                                    

I really liked this font as I thought although it was quite "girly" and feminine it would still work with my cover as it would balance out the Gothic edge that my photos seem to show.

Very similar to the text above but a lot more simple and less "girly" meaning it would complicate the cover less and probably stand out a lot more therefore I plan to experiment with this too.

Photography inspiration for digipak

The photography and mise-en-scene on the album artwork is one of the most important aspects for an artist, as it's what consumers see first and will catch their attention, whilst setting up the artists identity. It also shows what the artist is in terms of genre, importance in the music industry and popularity. Therefore, taking a look at various mainstream artists albums and digipaks, I would like to take the "bold" and slightly mainstream look, although try to make my look a little more edgier as my genre is rock, which I will do through mise-en-scene such as costume, setting and make-up. I have researched a few artists I like, and ones that represent a similar image or audience to mine which I want to certain aspects from.

This photoshoot of Porcelain Black inspires me in terms of how it manages to reflect rock vs the 50s era through eclectic borrowing, due to certain aspects of the mise-en-scene such as hair and make-up, which is very pin up (according to the heavy short fringe from that era). In terms of posture and image Porcelain Black shows a huge statement in terms of what she represents, which judging from this image is quite rock and roll, independant, confident and fierce. For example, the mise-en-scene in this photo reflects that certain image of her, through her tattoos being on display, the heels and make-up which all suggest she is very focused on her image and shows that she's not another mainstream artist who follows the conventional "pop" genre trends. Although, "different" does seems to be what the general public tend to find more interesting, and a lot more stars have taken that turn with their style, for example Nicki Minaj and Rihanna. 

I wouldn't want to use the same clothing as Porcelain Black in these photos as I think for an album cover it could be too over the top and indicates too much of a sexual image for my artist, which would be for a much more specific and higher targeted audience, which is not what I am looking to achieve. Although I would definitely want to take aspects from it such as the pose, the setting and parts of the mise-en-scene such as clothing, like her heels as I want to keep the femininity in there but still keep the fierce rock aspect that Porcelain Black seems to maintain in this image. As I think this photograph is too much for an aspect such as the digipak cover, I think it would be very useful for the opening panels inside as it is quite eye catching and looks quite conventional to the photography used in other artists albums I have researched, also I would very much like to take the long shot that has been used, as I think it captures the artist well aswell as being conventional to digipak photography for the inside panels. Although, when experimenting with my photography and digipak I may find a change in what I would like to do with photos like the ones from above, as I have to take into account that my poster which advertises this album will have to contain the image from my album cover, therefore my photo will have to be quite versatile and suitable in that sense too, due to where it will be displayed and who will see it.

Another change that I would possibly like to make to the photos is the colour, I personally think the black and white might be too gothic on top of the mise-en-scene I want to use, as well as ontop of my digipak cover idea (below) which involves a skull. Although, when editing I may see it differently and change.

This image is taken from the same artists (Porcelain Black) single, in which the image of her is shown through the transparent lettering on the cover. I really liked this idea because I think it's both clear who the artist is and what her style is about due to the mise-en-scene that we are able to see through the lettering (such as the extreme make-up and lepoard print), as well as being able to read the text clearly enough. It's a very simple approach to a cover and although it is probably more ideal for a single to use this idea instead of a digipak, I think I would still like to experiment with this idea as it definitely caught my attention.

It is clear that this image is a hyperreal version of Marilyn Monroe as she is/was a very recognisable icon in the 50's, due to her signiture features such as her hair, make-up and beauty mark on her upper lip. I found this image on the website Tumblr and recognise that the image is very famous in terms of popularity for tattoos.

                                                      I liked the idea of having half of the face normal whilst having half like a skull. Taking my album cover into consideration, I would like to keep my album cover simple in terms of shots, and therefore would like to use a close-up of the performers face as it enables the artists target audience to recognise her clearly whilst also enabling them to clearly interperate what the artist represents in terms of individuality and meaning. Taking inspiration from this idea would create an edgy look for my artist whilst also targetting a broader mainstream audience than my band originally do, (as at the moment a rejection to mainstream values in society seems to becoming a more mainstream approach). I plan to experiement with this idea and take the half normal face and half skull, or half natural and half the opposite. Doing this will enable my target audience to recognise the artist clearly due to the clear close-up shot, whilst also again, creating the sense of individuality that I think is very important for an artist. Furthermore, due to the choice of album name I have chosen "wounds", I think it creates a message in terms of how people percieve the photography on the digipak.

Although, I have taken into consideration that attempting to achieve this effect by using a human face, may be quite difficult and will either include being able to edit the skull and morph it into my performers photograph perfectly enough to be successful, or using make-up (which I have seen been done before).

The picture on the right reflects the above idea which I wanted to use, which is called sugar skull art. I thought that this would straight away catch attention due to the unrealistic look half the face has. Also, reflecting my artist through splitting the face into two by make-up could have connotations of torn emotions, two faced and more perceptions, which relates to my chosen song which talks about feelings. It also shows my artist as an individual and reflects her style, which is rock/grunge which some may say have a gothic edge. Although, when doing the make-up/facepaint I will take into account that I don't want my artist to look too harsh and gothic, as I still want her to be feminine in a dominant individualistic way.

Although, if my initial idea doesn't work for some reason I still can take concepts from the idea and experiment with those, involving a simple close-up shot again, and the ways I could approach splitting the face into two equally, by editing the face in inverted black and white contrast (like the picture on the left), which is an edit used in my music video a lot, due to the alternative/rock/post-grunge genre. Although, whether it works as well as the photo above, with an actual photograph of a person depends whether it will have a be successful or not for an album cover. Furthermore, I think taking one of these ideas where the face will be split into two, will create quite a statement for my artist and result in being a memorable front cover as I'm aware that it's conventional that the front cover has to catch the most attention, due to the audience seeing it first.

More inspiration

 I have also taken a look at different sugar skull patterns which is shown below in the templates (as some patterns have various meanings), as I think it's important the face paint/make-up is done well or the cover will fail in terms of how it is supposed to be percieved by the audiences.(Taken from photographs found on Google, Flickr and sketches I have found on various websites such as Tumblr.)

Template of a regular sugar skull pattern, which gives me a brief outline of the patterns involved.

A sketch which shows two sides in a very realistic way. I really liked the patterns on the right hand side of the face and intend to experiment with them.

This photograph is good in term of displaying one side of a sugar skulls face, as well as clearly showing the bold patterns involved, giving me more familiarity with how I intend to do the face paint.