Screenshot of digipak in production - photoshop

Here is a brief step by step guide of the production process behind creating my digipak. It was quite hard and stressful at the time because as I said before I am not too good with photoshop. However though, I have done quite well to the extent that what I visioned has come to life; I wanted to create an elegant yet timeless brand that would represent the artist Emine Parker. The black and white theme was still used and even with all the edit effects etc that I came across I still stuck to what I thought would be suitable. As of yet, I have not taken a range of photos of the artist so this is all that is required then I will be done! If this is not done during the holidays I will do this during the first lesson back. 

ANCILLARY PRODUCTION PITCH

My five words are:
BOLD- As it will be in black and white and the writing and font will attract the audience.
Simplistic- A minimal but effective feel to connect with the audience so its not difficult to understand.
Stylish- Because its easy to understand and attractive it is stylish and will make people interested.
Grey- Following the black and white theme the background of the album will be grey so everything stands out more.
Personal- A advert has to make people feel for it personally or it won't be a good advert.

It will have 4 panels. 2 on the outside 2 on the inside.

My advert will be placed on popular and busy places such as underground stations and bill boards people drive past a lot. So it will be seen.

I got my ideas from researching well selling female artist albums. All the popular artist such as Beyonce and Rihanna have albums covers where it is in black and white and there faces are on the front either looking side ways or head on. I think this works very well.

Ancillary: Do's and Don'ts.

During the introduction the ancillary products, we were given a talk regarding what creates ancillary products, in order to make a good package it is important we made a not of the do's and don'ts to ensure we achieve success.

Do's

• Use clear font, make sure the colour works against the background, and the font is an appropriate size in order for the audience to comprehend the information.

• Position the information in the correct places, for example the barcode and production information is ideally found on the back at the bottom, stick to this convention to achieve a professional digipak.

• Make sure the pictures of the artist and other things are clear and the artist is able to be identified clearly.

• Whilst creating the digipak keep in mind the rule of 3rd’s for composition.

• Be aware of the genre you are representing, use font and images and mis en scene which portrays the genre your artist represents.

• Use colours which may represent your artist style, also make sure it compliments the other visually element.

Don'ts

• Do not put text in front of the artist face.

• Don’t stretch any images, as it looks amateur and ruins quality.

• Don not use over four different colours, don’t use colours which don’t compliment each other or the genre.

• Don’t use font and pictures because you like it always consider the genre.

• Don’t use too many different styles of font.

• Don’t include unnecessary information.

Influential Images For My Digipak & Advertisement

   

Before starting our ancillary production (digipak), we had to research and create a mock up plan of how we would like it to look. These photos above show some of the ideas that I have come up with for my own digipak. As you can see i'm heavy influenced by photos of American RnB star Dawn Richard. I want my ancillary production to have a commercial element to it in terms of the artist. Dawn Richard's images are striking, sexy and powerful. I am planning to have my artist pose in a similar way to the photos of Dawn above if not the same.

My concept for this production will show my artist touch boundaries of commercial, soulful and model like elements. The image of my artist in my music video 'heaven' is classy, elegant yet commercial and model like. The songs itself will resemble the soulful element. Dawn Richard has the full package that I am looking for.

She IS SEXY

She is COMMERCIAL 

She MODELS

She can be SOULFUL

and lets not forget she IS SEXY!!!!

These professional ancillary products link quite clearly to my promotional package that I'll be making as they all standout to attract the attention of their specific target audience. The artists featured in these adverts have obviously all taken different means of promoting themselves and their album. For example artist Chipmunk has     planned a launch party(something that many artists do nowadays) and Jay z has been featured on the front cover of XXL magazine. It obviously takes a lot of industry links to even get that inside attention and connection however, Roughtrade record label will be doing all they can to thoroughly promote Emine, she will be attending every event possible according to her availability etc.

Digipak covers/magazine adverts do's & don'ts

I will be marked on how well my promotional package will work together to promote Emine Parker. In order for my promotional package to be an success I'd have to create an clear visual link between my music vid, digipak and advert. It also has got to attract the attention of my targeted audience. For the production of my prints I will be using photoshop, so I'd better get learning how to!

Do's
* Clear font
* Correct size for image & font(NO stretching of images! So not professional nor is it attractive)
* Clear in-focus photos
* Appropriately shaped photos(these need to actually fit the page)
* Layout that follows the rule of 3rd's for composition
* Appropriate type face that follows a house style & genre conventions
* Aware of the fonts placing on package(it must follow the genre of convention & be clear from a distance)
* Follow the conventions of the 3 color rule & use color that is appropriate for images, font & background
* Careful thinking about how font, image & background integrate (remember, the way text is placed next to an image will perceive an specific meaning)
* Proper positioning of barcodes, date, copywright, titles & artist name



Don'ts
* No stretching of images
* Use layer styles
* Use unnecessary effects. Any effects used MUST suit thee genre
* Place text across the artists face
* Use a font because you like it
* Use a different font on every panel - not really needed, be creative

Album cover design
* Stick to 3 colors
* Range - personality
* Intro to artist - first connection
* Working with images(stretching images = distortion e.g appealing shorter, wider or taller than actually is)
* Artist name bigger than album title
* 6 sided(3 side by side), 4 sided(2 side by side)----> standard

Level 4 - 9/10 = A/A* ----> MY AIM
Level 3 - 7/8 = B
Level 2 - 4/5/6 = C/D/E
Level 1 - 0/3 = U