Final CD covers

This is my final front cover. I knew I wanted a 'skater image' throughout the CD artwork. This first image sees a skater sitting at a bench with his skateboard surrounded by the dark scenery of a school. This is often a stereo type of skaters, skating in areas such as schools and generally disrupting neighbourhoods. This is also linked with the title of the song which is 'Boys in Motion' where there is often a stereotype of causing trouble and rebelling.
The font used for the artist 'Blighers' I found on a photo editing software, Picasa. The font, 'Earwig Factory' uses a similar style to one that was used in my music video which was newspaper cuttings. Using a similar style almost gives the band their own 'house style' and they can therefore be known for that sort of style. The font I used for the single title 'Boys in Motion'



This is the in side image which has a ghostly effect in a similar location. Again it has a skater image to it and it creates mystery to the artwork. I added a soft focus to highlight the character and add to the blurred affect around the mise-en-scene.




This is the other inside image which is at again a similar location. Again it feature the same 'skater' character leaning against wall overhead lighting which highlights mainly the skateboard.



This is the back cover which includes track list, band website, record label and logo and bar code. I created this image in Photoshop. I created a record company and found a suitable logo to use for it to add to its authenticity. I have added a black and white effect to the original image to keep the same consistency, throughout the artwork. I used the same font for the tracks as the front cover.

Cd Cover Ideas

Here is my first idea where I have used a shot from the music video which was a simple skating shot. The representation of skateboarding came from the title 'Boys in Motion'. I added effects on Photoshop

Similarly to the first idea I have chosen to use an action shot from the music video. This representation again comes from the title 'Boys in Motion' which symbolises an active lifestyle and the freedom which is related to the sports. Particularly in this image where the bike is in mid air.

These images give the 'grungy' look i am trying to put across for the bands digipak. The two also relate well to the music video, in the way they are shots taken from the music video.

Grammatics - Grammatics

This is the front cover for Grammatics debut album which is self titled. The image used is quite a strange one. The image used is quite a strange, as the image features the band members without their heads. (And yes it is a big coincidence that my last album analysis had just heads) Although this doesn't give the audience a clear view of the band members, what you can see from the image is the clothing that is worn. As it is the actual band it creates a realistic representation of the band and their fashion seems to be within the indie-pop genre. This is a similar style to the the band I am using, Blighters.

This is the back of the album which features a similar look to the front image with again the sculpture spelling out the band's name. The track list is conventionally placed on the back as well as some small print about the record label.

Like the Black Kids album, this is their debut album and also features a small booklet which features lyrics to all the songs and some pictures of the band in a collage. Other information such as band members and their roles creates a good way of introducing the band.

The CD is linked with the images on the outside of the CD package as it is the wallpaper pattern which rounds of the product as a package well.

Overall Grammatics have presented themselves well with this debut album. They have used a booklet to introduce the band and included lyrics for fans to learn their songs. A very aesthetically pleasing package.

Partie traumatic - Black Kids

This album is a plain and simple design for the bands debut album. Its in a 'jewell case' which features a small booklet inside.

This is a simple design which has a plain background and uses the big titles to catch the main attention. Again, like The Wombats, Black Kids use a house style of font this gives them something to be recognisable for. The band have pictured themselves on the cover which again they can be recognised instantly. Using a band member or band members is something I am looking to do in my production.

The inside booklet, as shown above, includes lyrics to all the songs on the album as well as images of the band. Including a booklet within the CD package gives privileges to buyers as you wouldn't get it with downloading, illegal or legal. This could influence their audiences decision to buy the CD.

The back of the CD has a again the plain and simple look with the title and a track list. This keeps it clear and easy to understand.

Overall this album gives off a good impression for a debut album. It was important to put the band members faces on the cover as a way of introducing them to music fans. From that they can build a bigger reputation for themselves. Keeping there own house style like they have done by using a unique font for everyone of there products.

The Wombats - Backfire at the Disco

The Wombats single, Backfire at the Disco immediately brings across a warm cheerful mood by using warm colours such as orange and red. This is the front image there is a pastel effect used right through the CD.

The font used is the same as the one used for their album (below). This is a feature throughout all of The Wombats products such as, CDs, T-shirts and posters. This gives them a house style which they can be recognised for. The font is unique and has joined up handwriting which could connote the bands 'inner child'.

(Album)

The inside of the CD is simple, the only other pane in the whole single is the inside left cover. This again has the pastel look carried, The inside includes slightly darker colours which contrast with the outside. It includes information about the band and has a track listing. Normally for an album and occasionally a single this sort of look would be at the back of the package.

The CD is again a simple design it uses an image from the scene in the inside left cover. Its a disco ball which looks good as the CD is obviously round like a disco ball.

Overall this is a warming CD package which creates a good image for the band. It features their house style font which which is recognisable. However it doesn't feature any real photographs or any images of the band members which, when I create my CD cover I will be looking to do.

Cd Cover Types

The two most common types of CD case are the:

Jewell Case

The jewell case is known for being 'the original' CD case where 10 years ago almost every CD case was made with a jewell case. Now there are so many options for not only style but materials. However it is still the most popular to artist and record labels mainly because it is the cheapest to produce.

Digipak

The Digipak design started to become increasingly popular in 2000. It was thought to be the new look and also be better for the environment by using recyclable materials such as paper board and card stock. Using this sort of material also allows the cases to be inprinted which gives the Cds texture.

Target Audience

For our music video I have been looking into the audience of the band. I have used to different methods to gain this information. Firstly I went to see the band live at one of their gig in Norwich. From this I could see the types of audience that attend their gigs. Also I have created a questionnaire which I have given out to many different people within the question. This is qualitative research and the two make together make for strong evidence. I included a question asking people weather they have heard of the band. From this I can see the type of audience who have and haven’t and therefore create a better understanding about the audiences.

We went to see the band perform live in Norwich and we thought they were really good. We particularly were looking at the different audiences; mostly we saw that the audience was young 15-25. From looking at how they were dressed you could see this type of music didn’t really influence there clothing or appearance but there were a few who had similar clothing to the band. This is classed as an Indie-look, messy hair with a big fringe with a plain t-shirt or shirt. This was interesting to see and it was at least a quarter of the audience. Overall it does show that many people are influenced by the music they listen to.



In the questionnaire I asked whether they have heard of the band. From this I can see the type of audience who have and haven’t and therefore create a better understanding about the audiences. I found the types of audience who had heard of the band where predominantly younger, in the ‘16-25’ category. Both genders had similar results on their knowledge of the band which is good for the band and gives them a wider audience.

The song we have chosen to promote by the band will typically be aimed at males. The title ‘Boy in Motion’ immediately suggests that and the video content we wish to include is stereotypically male driven. However just because it is stereotypically male it will not cut down the audience. I may even strengthen the female audiences because of its male dominance.

Initial ideas for our music video gave us skateboarding so with this in my questionnaire I asked whether people would enjoy seeing skateboarding in a music video. My results were heavily popular to the idea which has therefore influenced our decision. Many females asking the question were keen to the idea and therefore strengthening the point above attracting the point above

Norwich is a great place for promoting bands and it has lots of venues from very small, to very large where bands can perform. I saw the band at ‘The Brickmakers’ which is a small venue designed for mainly local upcoming bands. Many of the nights are free entry and are usually very busy which shows the love of music in Norwich. The area also has many Radio stations starting at small radio station such as ‘Future Radio’ which are perfect for promoting local bands. The Internet is also a great place to promote a band with sites such as ‘Youtube’ and ‘Myspace’