Analysis of three magazine advertisements that relate to your genre- you must outline how they relate to your genre and audience

1st Second Analysis 

I like the image of the male in the centre of the advertisement its a distinctive photo of the artist
We see city lights behind and the male wearing a hoody which has references to an urban area
There is the same font used
We see the website of the artist positioned on the far bottom right
We see the Digipak image on the top left, this shows a link between the advertisement and Digipak
The touring dates of the artist is shown
Reviews and comments from music critics are shown


2nd Analysis

I like the photo and costuming of the artist its creative
The artist is centred in the middle so we initially acknowledge her
The black and white colour scheme is kept consistent through out
The release date of the album is shown
Reviews and comments from music critics are shown
Has R'n'B links as Janet Jackson releases this form of music


3rd Analysis 




















This image has a artist design of three fonts, black, white and pin
Release date of the artists album is shown
The site 'Itunes' where the item can be purchased
Different release formats are show (CD, Download and Digipak)
Nice image used to display an artist (the Dark male image)
Has a Dubstep feel about it as its a remix album
Possible links to techno and DJ music

Summary of class discussion around the importance and function of digipaks to the music industr

What is a digipak?

• A modern approach to CD packaging
• Allows for inclusion of  more information
• Promotes the artist
• Additional background info on Artist
• Shows the growth of the artist/History
• Exclusively getting something more
• Advertise brand
• stop piracy

Why are Digipaks still used despite Cd sales dropping?

• Attracting
• Collectors
• Combats piracy/buying Digipaks/instead of downloading

How important are the ancillary products (Digipaks, advertisements) to the artist and the industry?
Very, it distributes the artist to the audience. Use visual marketing to adverse the album of artist

Below is a list of suggestions to guide you when constructing your Digipak covers and magazine adverts


Do's

• Use a clear font
• Use appropriate sizes for: Images, font
• Use clear photos that are in focus
• Use photos that are appropriate shape for the page
• Use a layout that follows the rule of thirds for composition
• Use an appropriate type face that follows: 

1. Genre and convention

• Be careful where you place the font. follow genre conventions and be clear from a distance
• Follow the conventions of the 3 colour rule and use colour that is appropriate for:

1.  Images 
2. Font 
3. Background.

• Think carefully about how you see and integrate: 

1. Font, 
2. Text& language and image
3.  (Remember that placement of text next to an image will anchor specific meaning

• Use appropriate industry logos abd conventions, properly positioned:

1. Barcode
2. Date
3. Copyright
4. Titles
5. Artist name

Don'ts

• Stretch images, this will make them out of focus
• Use layer styles
• Use unnecessary effects. Any effects used Must suit the genre
• Place text across the artists face
• Use a font simply because you 'like it'
• Feel you need a separate photo on every panel-Be creative

What should the outside of your Digipak look like?

Track listing on the left

• Same font as an artist or album
• Production information;

1. Copy right
2. year of production

• web address;

1. Record label logo/Name
2. Distribute and producer

Name on the right:

• Artist title
• Same font for the whole Digipak
• Promotion Sticker

1. (Drawing attention to recent tour or special feature in the album)

• a spine with a title
• Very simple colour palate

Image of artists:

• consistence Visual style, font cover and colour scheme

Overall Digipak style:

• Uses 3-4
• No More that 2 different fonts;

1. Includes element of graphic designer
2. Not simply images lifted from the video
3. Must create some sort of visual link with advertisement

What should be on the inside of the Digipak?

Graphic design:

1. Visual style (font, colour, design) established on the front of the Digipak is continued on the inner panels

Acknowledgement 

(Thanks to my manager/Producer/Family)

Ancillary Product Research: Digipacks

What is a Digipack?

A Digipack is a type of CD packaging, usually made from card. They are the main alternative to plastic CD jewel cases. They can come in 4, 6, or 8 panel forms and often include extras that are not included with jewel case albums.


Why are Digipacks still created despite CD sales dropping?

Although CD sales are declining, Digipacks are still created and sold. One of the main reasons for this is that many people see Digipacks as a 'deluxe' version compared to an ordinary jewel case, which makes it seem more valuable allowing record labels to charge more for the same album but in a different format. Digipacks also allow for more things to be included with the album than in a jewel case as there is more space. Often included are things such as images of the artist, exclusive artwork, fold-out posters and small books containing lyrics and other information. This makes people think they are getting more for their money, and want to buy the Digipack instead of the jewel case album.
Some also say that Digipacks are used to combat piracy, as there is no way a physical digipack with all the included extras can be downloaded. Also, owning a Digipack makes people feel more 'connected' to the artist, and as if they have an exclusive album.

How important are the ancillary products (Digipacks, advertisements) to the artists and the industry?

Digipacks and advertisements are extremely important to both the artists and the industry, as they have the power to attract new fans and therefore bring in more revenue. Adverts are the most important thing to a new release, as they are the main way of letting people know about a new album/single. Aside from attracting new fans, even people who are already fans of the artist may not know about their new release if they are not following them on social networking sites, which makes well-placed and well-designed adverts even more vital. Digipacks can also catch new fans' attention by using strong, clear images on the cover and eye-catching designs.

An example of a Digipack

Digipacks/Adverts DOs and DON'Ts

In class we looked at several examples of good and bad digipacks and decided on a list of DOs and DON'Ts for when we are creating our own digipacks/adverts.

DO

• Use a clear & appropriate font which follows the genre conventions
• Use appropriately sized images (so they do not have to be stretched)
• Use clear photos
• Include a barcode, record label, production/release info
• Follow the rule of thirds for composition
• Follow the 3 colour rule 
• Be careful about where font is placed

DON'T

• Stretch images to fit the template
• Add unnecessary effects
• Use layer styles
• Place text across the artist's face
• Use too many photos (less is more)
• Use lots of bright, vibrant colours

Here is an example of a very bad digipack, which does not follow any of the rules listed above, and as a result looks extremely unprofessional.

Trial of Digipak in Lesson (Thursdays lesson)

In today's lesson we had a friendly test trial on Photoshop Adobe on the mac computers, I found it very different to use compared with the usual Photoshop Cs5 I use in my photography lesson, however the basic tools are still available on the Mac programmed software. I used image cropping, image trimming with the magic tool, adding background colour effects, text tools, adding layers and image importing onto the layers.

I have to master the tools and techniques in this programme but I'm confident ill be able to implement and improve my current skills in this section of design work.