Kanye West - Graduation
1. Digipak analysis 2. Poster analysis
Front cover
• The colours purple, red represent royalty which is seen a lot in rap music
• Gold chain around the characters shows wealth
• The character is flying in the air which could demonstrate that he is aiming for success
• The Cheerleaders in the background show that he has fans and they are female which also links to the convention of rap music having a lot of females in
• Everyone happy which demonstrates he is well respected and people are happy for him succeeding
• The font isn't very clear and the character isn't the artist which shows that Kanye West doesn’t need to sell himself to sell records because he has such a big following
Middle Left panel
• It is urban which reflects the rap convention of the location being in the city
• The colours are very dark which could demonstrate that he was in a bad place
• There is a car which could represent the materialistic side of the rap industry
• The character is running away. This could demonstrate he has a lot of problems or he is in trouble and he is trying to hide from his struggles, this is a common theme in rap music
• In the far right of the panel the character is getting splashed with water, this could show that he isn't respected and gets pushed around
Middle panel
• The middle panel is lighter and has a futuristic feel to it due to the train above the buildings. This could demonstrate that time has passed but he is still running away from his struggles (the monster). However he is closer to the audience so this could demonstrate he is getting closer to his goals
• There are a lot more cars and it is raining, this demonstrates the busy city life and the dull miserable side of it, which most rap people highlight in their songs – the bad side of city life
Right panel
• The building is a lot more grand than the other buildings, this could show that he is in a good place
• The panel is light whereas the others are hard which also shows that he is in a good place and has got to where he wanted to get to
• There is an audience while the character is on the stage. This could demonstrate that he has a lot of fans and he likes being on the main stage in the spot light
• He is graduating which links to the album title
Middle back
• The character is up high in the sky which could show he is ready to take on the world and is in a good powerful place because he is above everyone else
• He has his graduation outfit on which shows intelligence
• The character looks angry and motivated which could mean he is ready for anything that happens
• The mushroom is looking up at him which shows that he is admired by people
Back
• The camera angle is in the opposite side of the front cover. Which means you are seeing him being shot off in the distance
• There are hats flying which demonstrate people waving him off into the future
• The bar code and information are in the left hand corner and this means it doesn’t take anyway from the cover art
Poster
• There is the same style of writing on both the poster and the digipak which makes it noticeable to the audience
• It is also the same character which represents kanye West this also links in with the point of that he is such a big brand he doesn’t need to be recognised to sell records
• the bear has Kanyes signature glasses on which he wears in the music video ‘stronger’ which is the most recognisable song on the album
• The colour schemes are simular, it has the colour of blue which fits in with the purple theme because blue and red make purple
• It is a simple design with just the head of the bear and the title of the artist at the top and the album name at the bottom. This draws you to the key information and doesn’t distract you from the advertisement
Muse
1. Digipak2. Poster
Front
• There is a hand controlling a joystick which could demonstrate that we live in a world of manipulation
• There are people on the screen in orderly lines which suggests they are getting controlled
• The joystick is controlling another joystick, which demonstrates that nobody is in control of themselves
• The joystick replaces a head this shows that their thoughts are controlled
• It is a dark monotone cover with only the red joystick. The colour red represents danger
Middle back
• People coming out of fog which represents mystery and the unknown
• The orderly line demonstrates the control and discipline • It is brown, cloudy cover which could represent a dirty world
that has been polluted • It is in the middle of nowhere which suggests there’s no help
Middle
Middle panel• Skull made out of electricity this could demonstrate danger and
the people seem synthetic. • The people are all coming out of one mind this means there is no
individual differences • Stairs going down suggests they below at the bottom• People are glowing at the top then fade to black at the edges this
suggests that they have been freshly made
Back
• It is monotonous which suggest there is not much character and happiness
• Arm reaching from an unknown figure suggests the anonymity of this figure, creating a shroud of mystery around power
• It links to the front cover
Poster
• It is urban which makes it more powerful because there is a lot more people in a city than in a country so that demonstrates the control is wide spread
• There is CCTV effect which suggests they are getting watched which links to the album cover of the people on the TV screen
• The angle is a birds eye shot so it is looking down on the city, this suggests it less powerful than the person looking down on it, which is the audience so you feel in control.
• The poster uses the same font and same position of the font which makes it recognisable
Priscilla ahn
1. Digipaks
2. Poster
Front
• It is very natural with lots of trees and it is hilly, which suggests they are in touch with nature and the music will be soft and calming
• It is a simple design with a limited colour pallet, this also indicates the music isn't going to be using a lot of heavy instruments
• The rabbit is hiding which makes it seem very innocent and the girl is looking up at the sky which also suggests innocence and vulnerability
Middle
• The waves make it more detailed and complicated but it also sticks with the natural theme with the trees and hills. There is limited shading which makes it more simple
• There is a boy looking in the distance which suggests there is a love theme to this album
• The credits and thank you’s are in the middle which is unique for digipaks
Back
• This is the most simple artwork out of all the panels because there isn't a character. This makes the audience look at the key information rather than the art which is good with widening the audience
Poster
• The poster uses earth colours and it has flowers which links to the digipak because it was a nature theme, this makes the brand more recognisable
• The book makes the audience feel like it is very innocent and it is calming and has lots of different elements to it
• The origami makes it look clean and natural due to there being no man made, mass produced products
• Music notes suggests that is is not edited and it is very clean cut and natural which appeals to the singer song writer audience
• The font is delicate which links to the innocent theme
Music Videos
Rap Conventions
• Casual clothing, nothing too characterised but more subtle and loose
• Tattoos • Drugs violence and females • Sections of direct contact with the camera • Props regarding costume tend to be used • Show clear display of emotions- if the song is angry the
artist is likely to present this through their gestures and facial expressions
• Strong editing cuts between concept and narrative • Follow the American dream lifestyle
Drop it like its hot – Snoop Dogg ftPharrell Williams
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtUVQei3nX4
Casual clothing, nothing too characterised but more subtle and loose
Sections of direct contact with the camera
Show clear display of emotions- if the song is angry the artist is likely to present this through their gestures and facial expressions
Props regarding costume tend to be used
How it relates to the genre conventions
Follow the American dream lifestyle
Drugs violence and females
Relationship between visual and lyrics
‘I got the rolly on my arm’ ‘million dollar boat’
‘I'm pouring Chandon’ ‘I got a living room full of fine dime brizzles’
Close ups of the artist
This makes the artist recognisableand builds up an image so when the audience sees the face of the artist they are more likely to watch it due to them liking the song that they were in last time
Soul Conventions
• Have narratives
• Quite monotone or dull colours
• Editing is slow pace
• There are no special effects
• Peaceful theme
She- Laura Mvula
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J7DbO56QOI
How it relates to the genre conventions Have narratives
Quite monotone or dull colours
There are no special effects
Peaceful theme
Relationship between visual and lyrics
‘She walked to watch you’ ‘There she waits looking for a savior’
‘She don't stop’‘She closed her eyes’
Close ups of the artist