mock shots - before editing

I tried taking my own mock shots in the style of the iPod adverts. I had to make the models dance around to music to inspire them and get the look I was hoping for.




I took a lot of photos to get a good idea of my favourites and I will then choose the best ones for my album cover and website.

Gorillaz identity

The Gorillaz have always been known for their scary and different images. I researched more pictures of what they look like and how they are created. I like the idea of using characters as the identity of artists but in comparison to other artists i have looked at, the Gorillaz do not inspire me to create something similar.

Gorillaz - homepage

The Gorillaz  website is quite bland as there isn't many colours. Although this doesn't attract myself, this could attract other people as it makes the site a lot more simpler than others as it is obvious where links to other pages are. 

The reason i chose this website is because the Gorillaz have always been known for their identities that are never shown in videos, award ceremonies etc.

Dj Sasha music page

This website is my least favourite as it is not as clear as previous websites I have researched. There are random adverts which clutter the page and make it look confusing to use. The links to other pages are in a very small font at the top of the page and are not easy to find if you are wanting to go to other pages on the website.

Competition page - Hed Kandi

Another page on this website which could draw the public in is the competition page. As soon as someone see's the link "Win" it could catch their eye and draw them in, which could ultimately attract more people into visiting the website and taking part in the events that have been arranged by Hed Kandi.

Music page - Hed Kandi

The music link on the website is dedicated to the dates of the latest releases and themes of recent CD covers. This is helpful for the fans and public as they have the chance to find out the dates of the next album before it is released and advertised on television. By clicking on the album which interests you, you are then able to have a preview of each track on the album, which is another positive feature which has been made available on this website.

News page - Hed Kandi

The 'News' link on the website is helpful as it keeps the public updated on events with dates and locations, along with a description as to what the event will entail. By 'Clicking on more info' the fan is then able to see a count down to the event, which again makes the website more exciting.

Websites

I have been looking at existing websites which inspire me for my own made up website. The Dj 'Hed Kandi' is similar to the style I am looking for as they do not show their real identity, and use cartoon women is their advertisements. I searched their website and I like what i found. The website is fun and full of information about the DJ and has music from their disks playing in the background to further advertise their music.

                                                                                         

I like the way that on the homepage you have a choice of a variety of pages to go to, with easy to find links which are at the top of each page. With the links being located somewhere simple and in the same place on each page, makes the website much more user friendly.

This album is similar to the style of the cover I want to do, as I want to do a DJ set where the identity of the DJ is hidden like how the 'Gorilaz' are all cartoons, and they keep the cover simple. 


Another album cover I looked at was the 'Flobot's'. Although this is slightly like the style i was aiming for, it is my least favourite as the cover looks too cluttered and I wanted something much more simpler with not as much detail.

I like this album cover for the band 'Muse', as although it is simple it caught my eye which is what i was aiming for. The black background contrasts well with the colourful figures and the stars add extra affect. It also reminds me of the iTunes advert featuring 'Coldplay' because the effect is similar.

Research section

I am going to be researching into different music videos, album covers and band websites to give me an insight into how artists advertise there songs as I am going to be designing my own album CD cover and website page for a made up band of my own.

Pictures like this iPod advertising inspired me to look more into doing silhouette style CD covers as I find it simple yet very effective. I looked at the iPod advertising music videos which are featured on television and thought the colorful backgrounds in contrast with the dark silhouette of the singer/band was exactly what I was looking for. 

The following screen grabs are examples of 3 different iPod adverts; Coldplay - Viva La Vida, The Ting Tings - Shut Up and Let Me Go and Work Thats by Mary J Blige. All 3 videos have different effects incorporated within them which make them effective in their own ways.

This first video has the 'Sonic' feature. I really liked it as although the band were not totally blacked out, the video still had the same effect.

Viva La Vida by Coldplay

Shut Up And Let Me Go by The Ting Tings

This video created by Apple was another which inspired me as I like the bright block colours