Analysis of Music Posters and Digipaks

Stefano Towell

Magazine Poster

Artist Name & Logo:Having the actual name of the band on the poster is a massive main feature which isn’t left out on any magazine poster. It not only lets people, who see the poster, know who the poster is advertising but it also reinforces the bands/artists name and their star image.Album Name:The album ‘All that you can’t leave behind’ was released by U2 in 2000 and as U2 are a famous and well known band in the music industry, their album would of got a lot of media attention. The album name is displayed clearly in capitals at the top of the poster with the band name.

U2 – All you can’t leave behindU2 are an Irish band formed in the 1980s that have claimed to the top of the music ladder over the years with many hit singles as well as top charted albums. The band consists of 4 members,

as does the band that we are creating called Overexposed.

Where Album is Available:From the poster you would think that the album is available on their website which is displayed at the bottom of the poster as well as most music stores in the high street. Most album posters don't say where the album is available for purchase as it looks more professional to have less text but in an effective manor

Release Date:The band didn't put an actual release date on the album poster but they put the text ‘ALBUM OUT NOW’ in capitals to show the reader that it is available for purchase. U2 could've put the release date on the poster but thought announcing the album is out now would be more effective.

Digipak

Album Cover/Name:The album cover is quite simple but has an effect on the viewer as they will likely remember the name of the album and its theme. The only text on the cover is the bands name followed by the name of the album all in the same font and text which is the same font as the one on the magazine poster. Album Cover:The image on the CD cover is reminiscent to the name of the album as it shows the band members at an airport as if they are taking everything they cant leave behind before they go. It is in black and white which is similar to the theme of out album digipak. The image focuses on the 4 band members that must be waiting to leave. The album cover is present on the magazine poster however it is placed smaller so the other information regarding the album can be displayed. I have always felt that the album cover is aesthetically pleasing and makes me want to listen to the music on the CD.Artist Name:The aspect of the artists name on this particular album is interesting as it is kept the same size and font as the albums name which may say that the band is only as big as its albums. The viewer can still see its the band U2 however it is unexpected that the name isn't placed in a bigger more striking size. Synergy is kept between the album cover and magazine poster as the font is kept the same linking the two closer together to attract more of an audience and a larger market.

U2 – All you can’t leave behindU2 are an Irish band formed in the 1980s that have claimed to the top of the music ladder over the

years with many hit singles as well as top charted albums. The band consists of 4 members, as does the band that we are creating called Overexposed.

Magazine Poster Ed Sheeran - XEdward Christopher “Ed” Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter who has become increasingly popular through the

albums he has released since 2009. His music usually tells a story with rhyming as well as a well written guitar rhythm and drum beat. Albums such as You Need Me, Loose Change and X have promoted his music and hit high on

the charts

Album Name:Ed Sheeran’s Posters and Digipaks follow a similar pattern in the sense that the Poster provides all the required information, in terms of the album artwork, the name of the artist, the album name and everything else, and then the actual Digipak is simply comprised of the album artwork and name of the album – this and this is the no different for this Poster and Digipak as it is exactly the same. The name of the artist, obviously Ed Sheeran, is plastered across the header of the poster and the album name/artwork is located on the central part of the poster, whereas on the Digipak the album name and artwork are the only pieces of information used and this is all that is required as the Marketing and Promotion of the Poster gives consumers everything they need to know so the Digipak is clearly recognisable when people go to buy the album.Release Date:This poster was obviously created for when the album had already been brought out or released as it clearly states on the poster ‘Out Now’. However, this is very helpful for consumers as it lets them know to the point that the album is out and due to the simplicity of the poster it is clearly marked out and therefore no confusion should be had when people are looking at this Magazine Poster. If you’re aiming to advertise a product using a Poster then one of the key pieces of information which should always be included is of course the Release Date or at least some form of information which informs consumers of when the album will be made available and this poster does that excellently.

Synergy:There is clear synergy between this Magazine Poster and Digipak because you can tell they are linked, mainly through the use of the Album Name which also doubles up to be used as the Album artwork as well. This significant synergy means that the Magazine Poster helps promote and sell the album because the Poster and Digipak are both themed in the same similar manner. The Poster also gives a visual representation of what the album looks like so consumers know exactly what to look out for.

Digipak

Album Cover/Name:The front of the Digipak is dominated by the same Logo/Image that was on the Magazine Poster – this is the Album name as well as the Album artwork. It is also clear that they haven’t changed the font or sizing of the ‘X’ either which reinforces the existing synergy between the two products. The ‘X’ is the main focus of both the Magazine Poster and Digipak and nothing defies that, whoever created the Poster and Digipak wanted this to stand out so that it would be the first and potentially last part consumers would look at so it will always be the aspect that stays in their heads. The album is not complex either, the simplicity of the design means consumers who also saw the Magazine Poster can walk into a shop and find the album or ask directly for the album instead of having to explain some weird abstract album artwork to one of the members of staff – this helps promote and sell the album.Synergy & Album’s:There is a clear theme which links both the Digipak and Poster, in terms of the colours used and the placement of the Album Artwork and Album Name. Not only is this synergy, which helps the Digipak and Poster work together to sell the album, but it is what Ed Sheeran did with his previous album also. For example, the only colours used on this Digipak and Poster are green and black where as on Ed Sheeran’s previous album ‘+’ the only colours used on the Digipak and Poster were White and Orange – this is Ed Sheeran’s typical and conventional style which consumers who are keen followers of the artist will know. Sticking with what is familiar and known to consumers on the Digipak and Poster will help promote the album because familiarity is key.

Ed Sheeran - XEdward Christopher “Ed” Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter who has become increasingly popular through the

albums he has released since 2009. His music usually tells a story with rhyming as well as a well written guitar rhythm and drum beat. Albums such as You Need Me, Loose Change and X have promoted his music and hit high on

the charts

Magazine Poster

Website:The artists website is located at the bottom of the poster so that fans or other viewers can look up the artist for more information, tour dates as well as release dates for forthcoming songs. It is in small text as the whole point of the poster is to get viewers interested in his new album.

Poster textThe albums name and writer are clearly displayed at the top of the poster in Eminem’s personalised font that he uses in all of his other posters and digipaks. This poster that I have chosen to analyse is one that has lots of text including the date it comes out, quoting a ht single included, some of the other artists featured in the songs as well as the artists website at the bottom. All of this information will intrigue the viewer and give the relevant information they need before they purchase the album. Informative posters like this one have proved to be a promotional success for the artist as it gives off the relevant information about the alum that the viewer would be interested to know.

Image and colour schemeThe image and the colour scheme is one that could be related to the name of the album ‘Recovery’ as it shows a man walking off into the distance as if he is going through the rehabilitation process. The road emulates that it is a long process but one that is achievable. The colour scheme, one that the colours aren't too vibrant are suitable for the album cover and one that is effective.

Eminem - RecoveryEminem or Marshall Mathers is an American songwriter and rapper who has reached the top of the charts with many of his songs and received awards for the lyrics of many of his songs. His

popularity has rocketed since the late 90s and he has a wide fan base.

Digipak

Album Cover/Name:The Album cover in regards to text is quite plain as the only text is the albums name ‘Recovery’ which is in big bold text. The text is in the Eminem font as it was in the magazine poster. The O in Recovery is a medical symbol which suggests that the album might include the story of someone who is in rehabilitation and on the path to recovery. In the bottom right corner there is a parental advisory Explicit content logo saying that the album has explicit language.Album Cover:As mentioned in the poster analysis of this album, the image and the colour scheme is one that could be related to the name of the album ‘Recovery’ as it shows a man walking off into the distance as if he is going through the rehabilitation process. The road emulates that it is a long process but one that is achievable. The colour scheme, one that the colours aren't too vibrant are suitable for the album cover and one that is effective. It is a simplistic image in the matter of content however there is a strong meaning behind it that is highlighted in the albums name as well as the songs in the album.

Eminem - RecoveryEminem or Marshall Mathers is an American songwriter and rapper who has reached the top of the

charts with many of his songs and received awards for the lyrics of many of his songs. His popularity has rocketed since the late 90s and he has a wide fan base.