Pre-production
For my pre-production task I produced two front and back
covers for two different CD albums. I had to proceed many researches to be able
to create them. The questionnaire was my primary research, as it was fresh data
I carried out myself. My textual analysis was my secondary research.
Questionnaire
I created and produced a questionnaire, which included
questions asking “ What attracts you to the CD album?’ This helped me decide
what should go on my front covers. I
posted my questionnaire to twitter and sent it to friends. I didn't send it to
a specific age group, as I wanted my results to have a wide range between them,
so I could see the actual specific details I require on my covers. When I
received my results it showed that the most popular ages to buy CD’s was 12-21
with 75%. The most popular genre was pop
with 62%. The price which people consider to buy the CD's at was £6-£12 with a
high 89%. Gathering all these results it
meant when starting my textual analysis I could research the specific features,
which my CD covers require.
A big feature which I required to know before creating my CD
covers was “ Do you buy the Cd online or in a shop?” I required this
information so I could create the covers in the appealing way for either the
shops or online. The results shown with 62% most people buy in the shops. With
these results it meant when creating the covers I would have to make it appeal
to the shops rather than online. I would have to create the covers bolder and
brighter so it attracts the audience’s eye. Where as online they would want
more writing and details about the artist and songs.
Textual Analysis
After gathering in my results and finding the most popular
features, I researched many CD covers, which linked to my results well. All my
CD covers I researched had the genre of pop. The CD covers I research was
Rihanna , Taylor Swift , Carly Rae Jepson. My textual analysis really
influenced and helped me with my pre-production because I used the elements and
features from each results and used them in my work. The features and elements
I used were:
Images
Taylor Swift’s red cover inspired my first album cover. I found it interesting and different how Taylor
Swift face was turned away and she didn't have eye contact with the audience /
viewer. I decided I wanted that too.I used a high angle shot to make my artist look like she has less power giving off the sense of vulnerable. I
had to use Photoshop to fade in the
background. Also I had to use the layer tool to transport my background image in then , using the transparent tool and fading tool fade the background in. By using the fading tool this created shadows on my models face and body. I felt this really related to the theme as it makes the model look vulnerable and innocent.You can link this to heart break , as many of Tayor Swifts albums are our love and being heart broken.I decided on my model to have a hat on in her photo as I felt this links to Taylor's love and being heart broke themes for her albums. As the hat represents her trying to hide away or covering things up.I chosen to have my album in black and white as I feel its gives off a more elegant effect which links to the theme.My back cover contains a image of two hands making a love heart. I have used a low angle shot to make them seem more powerful. I feel this gives off the effect that love can take over everything.
For my second album Rihanna's cover for loud inspired me. I felt intrigued and fascinated how Rihanna's body language and how the long shot gave off such a delicate effect and it told a story. I wanted to have that same affect with mine. I used a long shot to show the audience the body language my artist was giving off.and so the audience could sense the emptiness and coldness.This then starts to tell a story. However to make it original I decided to do a black and white theme again as I felt this would give off that delicate effect. I thought it would be a good idea to make my model transparent so you can see the background . I did this as I feel it represents how she is feelings and to link to the emptiness. This relates to the heart break theme.For my back cover I used a close up shot of the diamond part of her dress. I felt this would be eye catching for the audience and make them want to see what the album was about.
Layout
My aim was to use the similar layout as Taylor
Swifts album red for my first CD album cover .I would use a mid shot of a women
with her body tilted to the side. I thought by having a similar image
it would be more simple but equally effective.The main image would to slightly towards the left of the cover. So the title for the cover could be on the right. Her layout to the back of the album is very unusual and
original. It isn't the typical type of a normal back cover. The bar-code is on
the top of the cover. Also the writing is horizontal and tilts downwards on the
left hand side. I decided not to use this layout because due to it being very unusually
I wanted my album back cover to look like a normal back cover . So it looks more realistic. On my back cover my photo contained two hands shaping a
love heart. I chosen to do this as taylor’s albums are mostly about love and
heart break . I feel this is a big strength for my cover as its original but
still relates to Taylor's album.
Target Audience
I decided for my preproduction and production my target audience should be the ages from 12 to 21. This is because of my results from my questionaire . It shown they was the most specific age group to buy C'ds.This mean't because they buy the Cd's , they would most likely be the most popular group to read the double page spread. As they would want to know more about the artist of the Cd they just brought.Plus they are the age group which are most intrigued and want to know the gossip about the celebrities . Due it being mostly topic of conversation in the younger generation.
Production
My production was to produce a double page spread for my own magazine. A group of my target audience came to the conclusion it was very eye catching to the audiences.Also they agreed it really suited my genre well and that was one of my big strengths. They all though it looked colourful and they said the font linked well to the target audience.
When comparing the 2010 December issue of Q which stared Rihanna Fety. You see many similar elements. On each double page spread the questions get personal and engages the audience in short bursts. This is so the audience gets lots of details and information and doesn't have to read a lot. It makes them want to keep reading more and more. Both layouts are very bold and effective as the very large image tells the audience the focus is all about her. I chosen to use a simple font as its links well to the target audience.However this does change in the sub headlines. This is so it catches the audiences eye and engages the reader. The colour scheme is very a like with Q magazine as I felt the white background really contrasts with the black text and makes it stand out more. So your audiences eye doesn't get distracted by anything else. Q magazine is showing the past and the future all about Rihanna. They do this so it effectively allows the audience to connect and personally identity with Rihanna . As the audience feel they can relates their achievements and plans for the future with the celebrities. This is a great way for a person to always feel connected to a celebrity.
My production has got many strength. The image is very large and the model is making eye contact with the audience. This makes the audience feel influenced by what they read. As the image is creating the feeling of being pre-judged and overlooked by everyone. Meaning the audiences are going to act on what they are reading.As well as this its so the audiences feel engaged with that celebrity. They feel they are talking to them not anyone else.This then makes the audience feel taken in by the image and text surrounding it.The background is plain white creating the feeling of happiness and openness. This links to how my celebrity feels in the article.
The double page spread informs the audience with the information that they require to want to read the magazine. This then means they are engaged in the article , entertaining them.
Compared to the Q 2010 issue staring Lady Gaga the double page spread is very similar due to its effects of engaging the audience.The layout is not overwhelming or eye confusing.The colours contrast brilliantly and represent the celebrity in a very positive way. There is consistency throughout the double page due to there only being three different fonts. I only applied three fonts because I didn't want the audience to get confused . I wanted them to be able to read it easily , so they could engage with the celebrity more.
On the other hand there are some weaknesses. Such as the interview could not be very long due to the amount of space . Meaning this may have stopped the audience / reader to learn everything about the celebrity that they wanted to know. This then mean't there wasn't as many photos so the audience couldn't engage as much with the celebrity as they wanted.
To improve I would increase my double page spread so it went on more pages. So the audience/reader could engage more to the celebrity and get their full needs.My goal would be to fill at least two A3 pages or 3 A4 . The pages would be contains with more images to attract the viewers eye and more deep questions . I would do this so the reader is more entertained.
