Coursework Evaluation : Question 2

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

The audience demographic for my media products is that of an alternative/hippy style. Due to this i had to try and create a surreal, psychedelic feel for both my video and print production, as well as conveying social statements about young people and the current state of modern society, in order to represent the ideals of the artist and to create something that appeals to such a niche audience.

I have deliberately given my outer album art and poster designs a very different look to that of my video. Despite this there are things that link my products. These links are either stylistic or come in the form of underlying themes. Both my video and all aspects of the digipack show a very similar representation of the artist i have chosen to promote. Although this is not immediately obvious, perhaps visually, it can become apparent when one contemplates the message intended in both products. The idea of hedonism plays quite a prominent role in my video, as well as rebellion, going against the norm (or the system). Social commentary, which is also a strong theme in both my video and digipack, fits which the ideals and views of the artist, linking the products together in meaning. Although the video and outer album designs contrast visually they work together, subtly, in the message they carry.

The two interior pages of the album booklet are both stills from the music video. I chose to use still images from the video because it links the two products together visually, and gives the audience a better idea of what the artist represents. By placing these images on the inside covers my album design still looks unique, original, interesting and independent from the video, showing a variety of ideas, whilst linking the products together. The use of stills from the video also acts as a good advertisement and marketing scheme as those purchasing the CD are likely to have either watched the video or will wish to view it after purchasing the album.

Both my video and print productions follow various conventions of the psychedelic genre. This is done through use of colour, surrealism and theme in the video. The fonts and themes of my print productions also connote psychedelia and surrealism. The use of colour, both in the poster design and the album design, plays an extremely important role. Using colours at opposite ends of the spectrum to each other (or colours that clash) i was able to create something eye catching and visually interesting. By placing my image onto a completely white background the viewers eye is drawn towards it. The use of a barren back drop for my image challenges the usual conventions seen in both album design and posters. More often that not the background colour/image is either brightly coloured or uses dark shades such as black and grey.

Some may find that the lack of direct visual similarity to discredit the texts as a collective product. Others may be of the opinion that this strengthens them as it adds variety and originallity. it is my view that the album and poster art complement the video well.