Research- Album Art ( Pop)

 I picked out a few album covers that are similar to out music video, as these album covers are from singers who do pop .Also, I have looked at female pop singers and there covers because our music video has the female as the main vocals .The purpose of an Album Cover is to to protect the album and songs , to advertise the contents, using the artistic design to reflect the creative intentions of artists , to reflect the principles, and the attitudes etc of Record Label To stand out, to be interesting, to be eye-catching To boost sales, enhance profit Attracts on retail shelves , Enables product to be resold through different modes .From these album covers I am going to find out  the use of photography or art work, staging/ framing of artist , and the marketing information , attempts at appealing to existing and new audiences ,  use of colour, costume, font style and ordering of information. .

      The front cover of this Album is Taylor Swift from her Album " Red ". I chose this album cover because she does Pop music . In this album cover you can see a close-up of Taylor swift where the colours used throughout is very natural.  This shows that it did not require much edit as it has a natural sunlight allowing more natural features to show. The one feature that stands out is the Red lipstick which suits the Album name and it is coloured in Red too making it link. The album title catches the eye because it is bold and the title is simple and the size making it eye catchy The whole look has a good contrast of colours. However, the hat she is wearing forms a shadow which covers her eyes and nose but does not cover the lips which makes it stand out more and this may be purposely done to portray the importance of the colour Red within the  album .  Taylor Swifts album has changed from her previous as it has a more bold and focused on her age,however in this album it looks more mature and it seems to have a older audience.She is also looking down and not at the camera showing some sort of secretive message or shyness withing her music.  In the front cover the Artists name is in white under her album name which shows individuality and makes it appealing. The connotations can show many things like for example the use of the colour White shows purity, peace , goodness and innocence and Red shows love, romance , heartbreak  and revenge which can have a link to the artist and the music showing that it has love and heartbreak songs in them.  

    The back cover of this Album has the same theme running through . You can see the artist in a half frame wearing the same outfit as the front cover and the Red Lipstick . On the front Album she is looking down but in this side she is directly looking at the camera but her posture shows a different side like she could have a feisty attitude . In addition , her pose, attitude , her costume and makeup can show different connotations showing her love side and it seems more like a girly song which many girls can relate to. The text at the back has the same font as it is being carried through the album which is clear and bold and reinforces the idea of having a girl revenge theme that her fan will hear .The colours have a strong meaning through the album which shows what the music is going to be about like love , heartbreak and revenge for girls. and it seems like she has a own identity .  At the bottom there are bar-codes and copyright texts which I will consider in my own album cover.

 I chose this album by Meghan Trainor called " TITLE" as she is a writer and produces Pop Music which is our genre of music she has a unique 1950's and 1960 's theme . In this front cover you can see the Artist face clearly. The artist faces is a close-up of her face and she is looking at the camera. I thought that this album was interesting as it has a 1950's look on the cover . I also like the use of colour and construction of this album. The album cover looks busy and colourful which is very common for pop artists and I will consider with my album art . It has been been divided with triangles equally with alternative triangles being black and white and others colourful . This album shows the audience that this album can have a 1990's era themed songs which can attract the audience who love pop inspired by 1950 and 1960. This comes through from the colours used such as pink and yellow connotates that it is a fun , pop and enjoyable song that kids can listen to. Also, the black and white could represent the vintage theme of this and to reinforce the idea of the theme of 1990 era. 

       The back cover says a lot as it has a lot of pastel colours and warm colours used,also that the theme has been running though with the colour coordination. The costume she wearing is a fur coat which often signifies the 1960's look . Also, the colours used such as pink, purple,neon yellow, subtle blue shows the typical colours for female pop singers and it reinforces again about the idea of the 1950/1960 colours. Also, her facial expression says many things about the album such as it being very fun , childish and colourful as she is in the center it shows her fans about her characteristic and personality and she seems dominant in her music.Institutional Information has the Price, Barcode, Copyright Individual track writers, composers,engineers,producers,reference number, Band members . It is important to have the track list which will be included.At the bottom there are bar-codes and copyright texts which I will consider in my own album cover .

Album covers just like most other media products have typical codes and conventions which have to be met for it to be effective. Below I have detailed the specific items which must appear on an album. On the front cover it is most likely to have an main image (usually close up) and there is the title of the album and the name of the artists and a recognisable logo or font that is associated with the artist 

       What I have noticed about album covers is they tend to have a central image the artist on the front panel, this is especially true of Pop albums. Solo artists are more likely to have their image at the front as they are trying to promote their music by promoting their appearance. This is done to make the buyer feel like they are close to the artist and allows them to form a deeper connection. In this album cover there is a lot of colour but they are not bold which shows may show the theme of the music . Also, the title "Prism" on the album has a unique way as it looks creative and it there are shapes involved like triangles and circles but there are flowers outside of the frame which are going inside with a light at the background. It looks soft and mellow but still gives the audience the idea of pop music at the same time .Also, The artist is not wearing as much makeup and she is directly looking at the camera with the title of the album centre of her grasping audience attention.  

       At the back cover of the album it has the same theme running through with a subtle colours used.  You can see the artist looking directly at the camera and the colour looks saturated  to white which you can see her features but lightly see her figure and her face features. The album is consistent because the title "Prism" is followed through as the names of the track is in a triangle with the artist face at the top.  The text colours and font is small and has this smooth and soft texture into this album cover. It is important to have the track list which will be included.At the bottom there are bar-codes and copyright texts which I will consider in my own album cover .