DRAFT Evaluation Question Two

How effective is the Combination of Your Main Product and Ancillary Texts?

When creating the video, digipak and magazine advert, I tried to make a clear link between them all, however the link is strongest between the digipak and magazine advert, as visually follow the same theme. The video, influenced by nature, means there is a link between the sunflower images and the flowers included in the video, however when looking at existing examples of these products, I found that artists such as Alt J and Julianne Barwick have released album artwork and posters, that only loosely resembles videos for songs that are featured on the album. I have followed this convention as I believe a particular location used in one video, shouldn’t dictate the whole image of the album or advert. The only link to the video I have used on both the digipak and magazine advert is the mention and listing of ‘Afternoon’ – the song title.

I have followed the same pattern on both the digipak and advert to create a unique brand for Rosa-Leigh. Although it may be similar to existing brands, the sunflowers, as a motif, is used as a background on the poster, triggering a link between the advert and the album cover, as that too uses the sunflower image. I have also used the swirl from the inside panel of the digipak, on the advert, to create another, more subtle, attempt at linking the two products. I have also chosen to use the same font displayed on the front and back panels of the digipak, on the magazine advert. ‘Never let go’ struck me as a very decorative and appealing font, giving the digipak a homemade feel because of its handwritten nature. The reason I wanted to choose, and later on, chose, a handwritten style text, was because I had ideas of making a homemade style video, such as those of Lana Del Rey’s, and I feel the handwritten text links to those elements of the video. The elements to which I am referring are, sections of footage where Rosa-Leigh talks, laughs and isn’t putting on a show for the cameras; she is just being herself. I think not only does this footage make her seem down to earth, but the homemade, handwritten link to the digipak creates a brand for the artist, of a sweet, nice and down to earth girl. The text in all three products is white, therefore banishing any dark connotations that black has, in exchange for a pure, clean colour that is associated with ‘good’. This then adds to the final image of a light-hearted video, digipak and advert as the text is easy to read, appealing and contains only good connotations, showing Rosa-Leigh in a good light.

The advert and digipak both contain the record label logo, to distinguish Rosa-Leigh’s brand and career. I chose Island Records as it is a well-known label who sign some of the most popular and successful bands in the industry. By using the logo on both products it makes it clear to the audience that Rosa-Leigh is an esteemed, up and coming, successful artist, as this record label is trusted for signing high quality artists. ‘Rosa-Leigh – A Beautiful Life’ has been made extremely visible on both ancillary products so there is no confusion as to who these products belong to and what they are promoting. Inspired by Lorde, Kate Rusby and PJ Harvey, I chose to create the advert and digipak without using an image of Rosa-Leigh. Not using an image of the artist and letting their name sell the album, instead of their looks, gives an impression of high status within the music industry, as it should be about the music, not their appearance. I believe the link between my digipak and magazine advert is strong, and reflects the natural scenery within the chosen footage, as well as the down to earth personality of Rosa-Leigh that we tried to convey within the video.