Album Poster Analysis

I have analyzed 5 album posters to understand the codes and conventions of artist’s promotional packages. This will aid me when I am constructing my

album poster for my artist, Kyla. I will be discussing the features and how they represent the artist in different ways. I have chosen five, mainly mainstream

artists, that have an album poster for an album they have released in the past.

Rihanna’s 'Loud’I will be analyzing Rihanna’s album poster, which is promoting her album ‘Loud’.

The album poster follows the codes and conventions, by including the main features that form an album poster. These features include, artist's name, album name, release date, album cover and other requirements that represents that it's an album cover. 

The font throughout the whole poster is the same. This creates continuity for the album poster. The typography chosen are all capital, this is due to capital letters standing out more and catching the attention of the audience. The letters of both the artist and album name are spread out to fit the width of the poster. This means that 'Loud', the album name is the same length as 'Rihanna'. This could connotes that the album is on the same level as the artist herself. Suggesting that as 'Rihanna' is a very popular and respected artist, who is well known for her hit songs, the album 'Loud' would be as good as her. 

Continued…In the album poster, the album cover can be seen in the bottom right corner. This is because having the image there, gives a preview of the album, which attracts the audience to consider buying the cd album as they have seen how it looks. Another feature that would attract audiences to buy the cd would be the due to the artist's well known songs are stated on the poster, informing the audience that this track will be included. This s a promotional feature, that is done to increase the number of sales.

Throughout the album poster, the colour red is shown to be the theme. The colour red could connote love and or danger. Red is known as a promiscuous colour, as when worn or shown, it normally shown sexualised. This indicates the kind of album it will be.

The main image of Rihanna, gives a sense of mystery to the audience as her facial expressions are unseen due to her face being covered by her hands and her sunglasses. On the other hand, Rihanna's eyes can slightly be seen through the glass. She is shown to be looking down, which suggests she is sad or disappointed. This could link back to the album, relating her feelings to the song. 

Eminem’s ‘Recovery’

I will be analysing Eminem’s ‘Recovery’ album poster to understand the codes and conventions of the indie rock genre.

Throughout this artist’s promotional package, there is continuity. This is because the same image shown on the album poster is also on the album cover, making it easily recognizable. The main images is Eminem. As he is well known, his face does not need to be shown.

In the bottom left corner, all the conventional features are shown for the audience. Record label, the artist’s website, etc. are all featured.

The poster also notifies the audience the main songs that are included. Having only three songs featured on the poster, it connotes that the three songs are the most popular to audiences. By letting them know that they are in the album, it could potentially raise sales and increase profit.

On the album poster the name of the artist and the album is clearly shown in the top right corner. The album cover shows Eminem, himself, standing on a long road with nothing in the distance representing his real life struggle of his recovery. This relates back to the name of the album, connoting that in some way the album represents his life. On the poster, the date is displayed on the bottom right corner. The font of the date is large and bold, which would catch the eye of potential audiences. This lets the audience know when the album is coming out, so they can get ready to buy it.Lil Wayne, Pink and Rihanna are well known artist is the music industry. They have been mentioned on the poster to increase the artist’s fan base. This is done by the audience seeing these well known artist featured in the album and purchasing the album to listen to one them. In this process, they could just be listening for the well known artists’ Lil Wayne, Pink or Rihanna, or they could start to enjoy Eminem’s music and increase his fan base.

5 Seconds of SummerThe logo on the poster is quite big, ensuring that it is visible to audience, letting them know that the band are doing something. As the band are very well know, their logo is recognizable to audiences, meaning fans can notice it straight away. Whilst the size is able to catch the eyes of other audiences. The font of a typewriter is used throughout the poster. This holds continuity throughout the media product. As this kind of font is used and mostly related to tickets, the poster connotes a the feel of a ticket for audience, making them feel like they have a ticket into the band’s music, life, etc.

Continued…

The type of font used in the media product, as well as the black and white style gives the poster an old fashioned look. However the clothes and style of the artists are very modern and casual. This brings the poster and style of the poster back to the present. It still gives the effect of old times. Because the clothing the artists’ are wearing are modern and casual, it shows the genre of music they make. The rough, casual look is a convention of the pop-rock genre. This is being shown in the 5 seconds of summer poster, which notifies the audience what kind of artists they are and the kind of music they make.