Monday 4 October 2010

Analysis of Existing CD Covers

As part of my research I searched for and analysed various existing CD covers to get a feel for how they were designed and what were the common trends for the designs. This will help the group create our own cover as it will have a more authentic feel and realistic style because we have gained experience from looking at existing CD Covers. I have looked at female artist's albums as we are working with a female song and so will also be creating a female artist's album.

Katy Perry- Teenage Dream
This cover uses a long shot that allows the audience to see the entirety of the artist and her surroundings. The setting of laying on cotton candy clouds naked creates intertextuality with the lead single from the album 'California Gurls' where this shot also occurs in a sequence of the music video. Therefore for people who have seen the video they will recognise the shot. This therefore can be used as a marketing strategy as it enables people to know what to expect from the album because of the simalrites between the video and the cover, therefore if they liked the song and video they should like the album. The album cover linking to the content of the music video creates a summer, beach, fairground and youthful theme/style and image for this album. In addition the candy cane font type for the album title supports the youthful, summer and fairground theme that links to the name 'Teenage Dream' as it is what is to be expected froma teenager's lifestyle. With Katy appearing naked it creates voyeurism that will capture the attention of a male audience and certainly stands out on a shop shelf. Furthermore, Katy is surrounded by the expectation to have the shock factor after her debut single was called 'I Kissed a Girl' which she seems to be continuing here by using a controversial nude shot. The use of pink not only creates the cotton candy but is a stereotypical colour for a girl- this implies the album is a suggery and sweet pop music style.

Lady GaGa- The Fame Monster
This cover uses a mid-shot of the artist that allows the audience to see her facial features and hair more clearly but also allows some inclusion of her body language, pose and outfit within the frame. A close camera shot is important for Lady GaGa as her act heavily involves her style, hair and outfits. She has set up a controversial and abstract style that people have come to expect and look forward to seeing what does next- so this has to be maintained on her new re-release extended album. Her large square cut hair with fringe wig supports the larger than life abstract style. Moreover the black PVC coat links to her popular PVC stage costumes. Her pose within the image appears to be her trying to hide/ disguise herself, this links to the message she tries to portray as an artist- don't be afraid of being different, express yourself- by doing the opposite to convey her message and link to a theme of some of the new songs on the album (particularly Dance in the Dark). The use of black and white and a plain grey background help to display the darker image and style of the new songs- linking to the word 'Monster' and GaGa's explanation how each now song describes a different fear or type of personal monster. The use of the holy cross in place of a 'T' suggests a religious or biblical theme or one of death again linking in with her new darker style for the album. In addition the holy cross is used on a pod that GaGa emerges from in the 'Bad Romance' video, this creates intertextuality to her lead single which again helps to set up the image and style for the album.

Rihanna- Good Girl Gone Bad, Rated R and Loud Album Covers
(How an Artist's style changes over time)


Over the course of their a career an artist's image and style of music changes so they remain fresh, original and interesting in the competitive and ever evolving music industry. Artists often enter styles that are most popular at the time to keep up with curren trends. Rihanna is an example of an artist who has changed her visual image and musical style considerably between three of her albums. The album cover for 'Good Girl Gone Bad' released in 2007 uses a long shot that depicts Rihanna leaning seductively to her left with hands placed on her groin. This combined with the sophisticated dress and slick bob hair style link to the dancefloor image and style of music found on the album. The long shot allows the audience to see most of her body, to show she is moving, this again represents how the album has music that makes you want to get up and dance. However for the album Rated R (released in 2009) Rihanna depicts a more mature, darker and rockier image. The cover uses a close up shot shot that captures Rihanna pulling a serious expression and holding her head. This reflects how she is reflective and has been affected by her abuse at the hands of her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown (linking the album style and content to her personal experiences). She sports a new shaven and spiky hairstyle which further creates a darker and more sexy image that links to the album' title Rated R which is further translated in the tracks musical feel. The thick, dark make up, the black leather outfit, gauntlets and rings reflect a seductive, bondage outfit that perhaps symbolises how she was trapped in a relationship. The us of black and white and jagged R that is short for Rihanna also symbolises this and further supports her darker and 'edgier' sound. Furthermore, Rihanna changes her image once again for her new album 'Loud' released this year. For the first time the cover uses colour which combined with the close up shot depicts her new red coloured hair. This is used to reflect a more colourful, lighter and fun album that sees Rihanna return to her dancefloor and club oriented sounds plus the inclusion of sounds that reflect her Barbadian/Caribean background.

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