Font designs for my album cover.

Font designs for my album cover. All of the fonts i have designed have used a curly style of writing within them, the fonts all use thin lines, i designed them this way because i thought they look more feminine and delicate this way, however on the second page of designs, a few of the fonts do feature thick lines, i think this demonstrates how with the use of thick lines, the font can look quite masculine and harsh. I like the design, in which i have elongated one of the letters and created a stem, with a flower at the end, i like the idea of adding in extra detail and small images within the font, as it creates a more interesting effect, and would work well with the genre of the music.

Analysis of CD/DVD Digipak box.

This is Laura Marlings cover for her single, "Ghosts", the genre is folk, she also plays an acoustic guitar. The album cover is fairly simple, as it just features the artists name with a simple black design around it, and the album name underneath, only two colours are used throughout the cover; black and yellow, the use of a yellow background, softens the black font and also the tone of the yellow creates a vintage feel to the cover. The album cover, features no images of the artist herself, therefore it leaves the audience feeling intrigued as to who she is, therefore it may lead to the audience wanting to find out more, as they listen to the music, it creates a sense of mystery to the artist, however this could suggest that her audience already knows who she is, therefore she does not need to have her photo of the front of the alubm cover, because people are already familiar with her. The font, is quite detailed and intricate, it also adds to the overall vintage theme of the cover, and adds a point of interest, which make up for the lack of visuals on the cover. The artists name, album name and the design, is situated within the middle of the cover, therefore our attention is drawn automtically towards the design, however the simplicity of the cover also makes us more focused on the detail.

This album cover, suggests that the audience that Laura Marling would attract, would be mainly female, because of the delicate, intricate and feminine detailing on the album. It also suggests, that the type of bands and solo artists, this audience would listen to other than Laura Marling, would be of the alternative, folk, indie genre, such as; Bon Iver, She&Him and Bombay Bicycle Club. I also think that this type of album would appeal between the ages of; 16 and 24.

This is the album cover for the artist, Kate Walsh and this is her album, "Tim`s House". The cover features a photograph of Kate Walsh, so we instantly know who the artist is, and are given an inight into her own personal style and persona, through her image. The album and artist name are written side by side, underneath the image, at the bottom of the album cover. The artists name is in bold, however the album name is not, they are both is the same small size font, written in plain black font, this focuses our attention on the photograph, rather than the details.

The photograph, uses a light colour palette and her style is also very natural, which is in keeping with the genre, however her black coloured top, stands out from the light bleached out background. The way she is dresses in dark clothes, makes her as a character seem mysterious.

The location, of an old cobbled street in this album cover is important because it relates to the genre of the music, being folk. I think this appeals to Kate Walshs target audience, because this is perhaps somewhere that this collection of people would socialise or shop, in these older areas of cities and towns.

The back cover of the album, is very much the same in comparison to the front cover, as it features the same image of Kate Walsh, however it has been bleached out, therefore it is slightly less visible than the one on the front cover. The use of repeating the photograph, makes the image rememerable, it also adds to the simplicity, yet effectivness of the cover. The same font and colour scheme, has also been used on the back cover. The song titles, have been placed in the centre at the bottom of the back cover, and the theme that has been used with the font using one colour one side and another the other side, has been carried on, with the song titles. The repetitive and simply nature that this album cover portrays, has been used in a very effective and clever, as it is very easily recognisable.

This album cover represents the audience, as the same sort of age group as Laura Marling, that being around the 16 -24 age range. I think because this album is not within the mainstream genre, the album cover definatly confirms this and would appeal to a more alternative audience.

This is Ellies Goudlings second album, "Bright Lights". This album cover, features a photograph of the artist, the aritsts name and the album name. The photograph of Ellie Goudling, dominates the album cover, however unlike Kate Walsh`s album cover, she is not looking directly at the camera, therefore we can not see her whole face, and the way she is moving her hair around suggests that she has a bubbly personality and is fun loving, it also re-iterates to the audience that she has not been consumed by this `celebrity culture` that we live in, on the other hand it does present her as being part of this culture, however she has not being fully consumed by the culture in todays society.

The back cover of the album, features the song titles, which have been arranged in the centre and making use of the whole length of the album cover. The font that has been used, is the same as that used on the front cover and is also the same colour. The colour of the font, being a light yellow with emphasis around it, to look like lights are behind it, which relates to the album title, "Bright Lights" and the background images on both the front and back covers, because of the heavy emphasis on lights and colours related with lights such as; yellow and orange.

The pastel colour palette, and bleached out effect, goes well with the genre of the music. The dispersed light across the image, works well with the name of the album, becasue of it being called, "bright lights", and the emphasis of lights within the album cover. The colours and the photograph, creates a very natural feel, which creates connotations of the folk, alternative and indie style. Although this album is an alternative genre of music, i do believe that this artist appeals to a larger audience than most alternative artists.

In my own designs, i am going to use the type of drawn design that has been used on Laura Marlings album cover, as opposed to a photograph of the artists. I have decided to use this technique, instead of using a photograph because it represents the artists as having a sense of creativity and individualism. Another aspect that i will use is the use of muted, light colours which has been used in all of the album covers, i think this connotes femininity. I will take inspiration from the font in the laura marling cover, because it is very delicate.

The artists i have chosen to analyse are similar to Shannon Hurley, because they are all of a similar musical genre; folk, alternative, acoustic.

Discuss avatars in terms of their social and psychological functions and semiotic meanings

Avatars are used to represent the user, in social networking, games and generally on technological items. An avatar is better known as being a cartoon like character image that an individual creates, which in someway represents themselves and their character. An avatar is most commonly seen as being a cartoon image; however it can be words, as in the name you give yourself on a social networking site or an email address. Avatars are usually chosen by the individual and represent them in some way, however physically they do not usually show much resemblance.

Avatars act as a sort of telephone number, therefore allowing others to find the user; this acts as a social function of avatars, because they are enabling others to identify the individual, through an image, which resembles them as a person. The social function of them, in this context, is that they show others who this person is and enables the audience to understand this person. The avatar creates assumptions about the individual who created it. The psychological function of this is the process of the user creating their avatar, and in what way they create it and the different decisions they make within the process, and how the outcome represents themselves.

When we look at an avatar, we look at its other meanings, as if it were a sign, as they are a form of language and they operate as a sign system that can be read in semiotic terms. This term, is neither social nor psychological. It is based on language, and communication, as when we look at an avatar, we almost look at it as if it were a person, because we try to find meanings and connotations, by just looking at the exterior. The way the avatar, which is the signifier, points to the user; the signified, therefore creating a sign, follows the same concept as above, because they are both linguistic and based on the way we connect and perceive something when we look at it.

Although, avatars are supposed to represent the user, they are very often used in a way that shows the gap between the avatar and the user, because users like that their avatar is very different from themselves. This is a psychological function of an avatar, because it allows people to represent themselves within a social network, or in a game, but not show their real identity, and hide behind an avatar, as if it is an escape from reality, or being someone who they wish they were in reality. Some users, create their avatars in a way that they are totally different from themselves in reality, as an escape and way of hiding themselves, however some decide to instil certain qualities into their avatar to represent themselves in that certain environment, this is a social and psychological function, as you are representing yourself how you chose, firstly so you fit into that particular environment, and secondly in an escapist way.
The use of an avatar creates a way that you, the user can distance yourself from reality, and fictionalise yourself, therefore using the method of pretending to be someone else in a virtual environment, as a way of escaping your real identity.

An avatar, works as a visual representation, which enables you to take part in online activities, therefore it acts as a social tool, however as well as being a social tool, it is also psychological, because you can change the visual of your avatar, to be fitting with the `perfect person`, or how you believe `perfect`, to be perceived.

Although, we believe avatars, to be fictionalised cartoons, they also come in the form of a profile picture; that being an actual image of you, on social networking sites such as face book. It is a way, of showing others certain aspects of you that you believe are valued and inspirational within that society. This is both social and psychological, as it is a way of fitting in with certain social groups because of our appearance and the way we present ourselves and also the way we believe we should look.

“Teens often fabricate key identifying information like name, age and location to protect themselves”, Danah Boyd. This quotation, shows that as teenagers, we will give out key pieces of information about ourselves, in order to protect ourselves. We could give out information like where we live, to protect ourselves, because of how that certain environment is perceived and its reputation.

Storyboard.

Shot one; Close up of the alarm clock, on the girls bedside table and a close up of the watch on the boys wrist. Shot two; Mid shot of the girl in bed, mid shot of the boy eating breakfast. Shot three; Close up of the alarm clock on the girls bedside table and a close up of the watch on the boys wrist. Shot four; Mid shot of the girl in bed, mid shot of the boy eating breakfast.



Shot five; Close up of the alarm clock on the girls bedside table, Close up of the watch on the boys wrist. Shot six; Mid shot of the girl in bed, mid shot of the boy eating breakfast. Shot seven; Long shot of the girl making her bed, Close up of lyrics in the cereal bowl. Shot eight; Close up of the lyrics on the girls bed sheets, close up of the lyrics in the cereal bowl.


Shot nine; Mid shot, of the the girl opening her blind to let the sun shien through. Shot ten; Close up of the lyrics on the shower wall. Shot eleven; Close up of the girl putting on mascara, blusher and lip gloss. Shot twelve; Close up of the girls foot walking, close up of the boys foot walking.



Shot thirteen; Mid shot of the girls back walking into the train station, mid shot of the boys back walking into the train station. Shot fourteen; Mid shot of the train station clock, showing different times for the girl and boy. Shot fifteen; Close up of the train ticket being put into the machine. Shot sixteen; Mid tracking shot from behind of the girl, mid tracking shot from behind of the boy.



Shot seventeen; Mid shot of the boy texting on the train. Shot eighteen; Close up of the girls phone "one new message". Shot nineteen; Close up of the lyrics on the girls phone. Shot twenty; Mid shot of the girl looking out the train window, mid shot of the boy looking out the train window.




Shot twenty-one; flashback scene, with "sunrise" across the screen. Shot twenty two; Mid shot of the boy sitting on the train, showing the passageway. Shot twenty three; Close up of the boys head from behind, walking down the train. Shot twenty four; Mid shot of the boys feet, walking down the train.






Shot twenty five; Long shot of the boy on the beach, in front of the rocks. Shot twenty six; Close up of the boys face. Shot twenty seven; Mid shot from behind of the girl getting off the train, Long shot of the boy sitting down at the beach. Shot twenty eight; Tracking shot from behind as the girl gets of the train, and walks down sheringham promenade.

Shot twenty nine; Long shot of the girl and boy sitting next to each, looking at each other but not saying anything.



Drawn by; Laura Lewis.

Plain White T's - Hey There Delilah

Upon doing our research into split screen videos, as this is how we intend to make our music video, we done some research into the "Hey there delilah" music video by the Plain White T`s. We have decided, through inspiration from this video to still use our original split screen idea, using an equal half of the screen one for the girl and one for the girl, but to create a seperate window in the corner of the overall screen, which shows the background scenery within that shot, for example the scenes at the beach, the third window will have shots of waves, birds and general landscape shots of the surroundings, but not our characters.

Analysis of audiences of 3 similar artists.

Three artists that are similar to Shannon Hurley are; Ellie Goulding, Laura Marling and Lissie.

Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding, only just appeared on the scene in 2009, but since then she has played at many of the big festivals during the summer, and is about to start on her second tour this winter, having already been on tour during the winter of 2009. She is a british solo artist, although her voice is very similar to Shannon Hurley and is the type of artist who have more of an independent audience and than mainstream, however her music is very accsessible and is listened to by a fairly wide audience.

Her first album "lights", which has reached fairly high in the charts, which shows the album is quite mainstream and appeals to a more mainstream audience, for it to be appearing in the commercial charts. The album cover shows that this first album is showing her audience who she is and introducing herself to them, this is shwon by the image of herself on the cover. The title of the album "lights", doesnt really have any connotations over who the audience is, however it does suggest that she is trying to make an entrance within the music industry, as when you think of lights, you imagine something to be very visible and grabbing peoples attention, which is perhaps what ellie goulding wanted to do, with this album.

"you`re just a body i can smell your skin and when i feel it you`re wearing thin"

The above, is lyrics taken from Ellie Goudlings, The writer, which appears on her album "Lights". The lyrics suggest, she is talking about an ex boyfriend, and trying to let go of the feelings she had, which is similar to Shannon Hurleys sunrise, as she talks about wanting to still be and feel loved by an ex. The feel of the music and the meanings within the lyrics, gives the audience something to relate to.

Laura Marling

Laura Marling is a british singer/songwriter from Hampshire, she is a female folk artist, altough she has been on the music scene since around 2008, she is still very much independent and appeals strongly to the folk scene.

She has two albums, "alas i cannot swim" and "I speak because i can", which is her most recent album. Her first album cover "alas i connot swim", has a creative feel to it, because of the colours and shapes, however considering this is her first album she keeps her identity hidden within the album cover, so the audience can not really understand who she is or what sort of style she follows, however in her second album "i speak because i can", it features an image of herself on the cover , which reveals to the audience who she is and her persona. Her second album cover allows her audience to establish who she is and to be able to connect with her,as well as her lyrics and topics she sings about.

"oh naive little me asking what things you have seen you`re vulnerable in your head you`ll scream and you`ll wait till you`re dead"

The above, is taken from Laura Marlings, Rambling man which is from her second album, I speak because i can. The lyrics, have a certain rhythm to them and a poetic feel. They link to Shannon Hurleys lyrics from sunrise, because she is talking about someone and how something has happened to another person who is close to her. They do have a different feel about them to sunrise, but they are still quite romantic like the lyrics in sunrise.




Lissie

Lissie is an american solo artist, who has only just come on the music scene during the summer of 2010. She currently has some tour dates, in england, this shows she is interacting with her fans on a much wider scale, than just in her own country. Her voice is very similar to Shannon Hurleys. Her first album is called "Catching a tiger", the title is quite playful, therefore trying to appeal to a younger audience.

Lissie appears on her album cover, as a main part of it this helps the audience to establish who she is, because she is fairly indepedent. Her general style which is shown on the album cover, will appeal to her target auidence as welll as her songs appealing to them. The image of her, is natural which is one of the characteristics of shannon hurleys target audience, that are dress in a natural manner, with the way they have their hair and make up.

"I tunred my back you were gone in a flash like you always do you`ve always gone off somehwere else"

The above lyrics are taken from Lissies, When im alone, probabaly her most well known and popular song on her album. It is quite similar to Laura Marlings, and still holds the romantic feel of shannon hurleys, sunrise.

How can you use your knowledge of these three artists to strengthen the marketing of your singer and to appeal to the target audience?

I think I can use the knowledge, that I have gathered through researching the three artists; Ellie Goulding, Laura Marling and Lissie, to strengthen the marketing of my artist, because i can make sure that marketing techniques that I use are suited well to our target audience. I can be sure of whom my target audience is, because i have researched the type of interests, aspirations, fashions, social events etc that my target audience would attend or follow, therefore i can tune my marketing in a way that will appeal to this particular market. My knowledge of the target audience, that was contributed to by the research of the three artists will help me to market the singer in such a way that it appeals directly towards the audience that is specfic to the artist. Knowing my target audience, will help me to be able to appeal more directly to them, and make sure I gather a large but, however specific audience to the artist.

Target audience powerpoint

Target audience powerpoint

View more presentations from Louise92.