An analysis of CD release posters for their signs.

1. GIG & CD RELEASE
POSTER ANALYSIS.

2. ICONIC SIGNS:
 Producers use iconic signs on gig or CD release posters in
order to appeal to that artists fan base and grab their
attention. This means they usually include a picture of the
artist which has become an iconic public sign. For example,
on one of the posters advertising Katy Perry’s 2013 album
“Prism” she is seen at the forefront with her name in bold
above. They do this in order to hook the audience in before
including the major information. The poster also includes the
“Prism” album logo in the background meaning they want
the logo to become an iconic sign just as Katy Perry’s image.

3. INDEXICAL SIGNS:
 Indexical signs are used when the audience have to break down the
deeper meaning behind the poster. Using indexical signs appeals more
towards the psychographics of highly educated reformers who are able
to see deeper meanings behind different media. For example, the poster
for “The Pretty Reckless” tour featured the album artwork for their
recent album “Going to Hell.” This is because the songs performed at
the tour are mainly from the album. The poster itself features the lead
singer Taylor Momsen bare backed with the religious Christian cross that
gradually becomes an arrow. This arrow sign has become one of the
bands more familiar symbols. Some people would state the arrow is
therefore a iconic sign but there is a deeper meaning behind the use of
the Christian cross, therefore making it a indexical sign. The Christian
cross represents the lead singers Taylor Momsen’s background as I found
out she attended a Catholic school and is heavily religious. This sign is
therefore a deeper representation to the lead singers background and
religion.

4. SYMBOLIC SIGNS:
 Symbolic signs are used in order for audiences to understand
common connections that are universally learnt already. For
example, in the poster for the “Christmas with STEPS” tour in 2012
the producer has included white costumes and background. The
poster features the five members of the pop group STEPS with
“glittery” snow falling behind them. This is a symbolic sign as
audience’s viewing the poster will see the iconic STEPS logo with the
symbolic snow falling. People tend to relate snow to winter and
Christmas, which is being portrayed in the poster. This therefore
makes the
poster symbolic as the universal understanding of
white clothes and snow is winter and coldness.