3. PICTURE TEXT
Katy lays on a cloud, implying that she The star’s name is in red – it is dominant,
is heavenly and flawless – the clouds and it hints in a sexual direction without
are almost inviting as they look losing its feminine appeal. The text has
comfortable and spacious, perhaps been touched with white in some places to
again reflecting Katy’s public image. give it a standing out 3D look – this perhaps
They also resemble cotton candy, extends the candy theme as it resembles
enforcing the theme/brand which is icing. It also implies that the artist is lively
based on candy. The candy theme itself and fun. There is a blue outline around the
advertises a sweet, likeable artist – who edge which makes the text stand out. Blue
doesn’t have a sweet tooth? cools down the warm image, and it relates
Katy herself is naked to the point where to innocence. It also suggests there is a
she is barely covered by cloud. This thin, personal layer underneath the artist
appeals to a male audience while it is and in the music,
provocative, and to a female audience The album’s title – ‘Teenage Dream’ – is a
also by being feminine in the most different font entirely, and a lot smaller
simplistic way possible (she lacks than the Katy Perry’s stamp. This implies
expensive looking products etc, and she (quite rightly) that the artist’s name is much
does not show so much as to reduce more important and appealing than the
her image). actual album. However it still stands out.
Her image is also inviting in the way Once again the candy theme comes into
that it bares all – it suggests the album play with the striped colours. The text is
will do the same, that the music will be also melting, representing a few ideas; the
perhaps personal, comfortable and melting is associated with something being
inviting in the way that the audience too hot, reflecting Katy’s image (her being
will want to get involved with the music The CD enhances the candy theme ‘hot’). It also links to Summer, extending
(this proves right with anthems such as without making the rest of the her image again – Summer is fun, warm,
T.G.I.F.). design too busy, as does the back and often missed once it’s gone, alike to the
The image is otherwise very plain with cover; each image is little more than artist. It also suggests the music is similar
the star in the centre – successfully an extension of the front. (fun, lively, anthem-like) perhaps even a
attaching each song on the album with The CD does, common soundtrack to summer (her first
an image of Katy Perry. It also suggests however, very track, California Gurls, was released in the
that the album is not full of filler (the cleverly match summer of 2010). Once again the text has
‘heavenly’ look implies that each song each letter ‘O’ been touched to have a 3D look, with blue
has some sort of appeal and has been with the design shadows underneath. This plays further
well worked on). of the CD. with the Summer image – blue represents
the sea and the sky.
4.
5. PICTURE TEXT
This cover is for the re-release of Once again, the fact that Teenage
Teenage Dream, after Katy Perry had Dream was re-released after its success
pulled off becoming a branded, is shown in the artist’s name. The
househould name, and after Teenage material of the text has been updated
Dream’s extreme success. Both of these to a wavy, light text that is alike to that
are clear in the cover. Perry’s important of flowing material, almost silky – this
is portrayed in its simplicity – she is the album is the upgrade! The flexibility of
dominant image, and she is once again the text also indicates the artist’s
bare with her face standing out, playful, feminine nature, and again it is
implying that she can be recognised by in blue (soft, innocence – the rest of
just her face and she needs little else to the picture has a lot of bright colours
sell albums. She is once again feminine that once again links to the summer
in the most simplistic way, appealing to theme).
both female and male audiences.
However she has been given a necklace
of candy – this implies that she is still
just as sweet and appealing and before.
A crown has been placed to appear on
her head, showing off her success. Her
necklace does this too (in the way that
jewellery represents riches etc). The
candy theme is kept; her crown is made
of candy for example, and the layers
around depict lollies, liquorice wheels
etc. Perhaps this reflects her lifestyle;
she had recently been the centre of
attention when this was released
thanks to her widely publicised
divorce… the candy however can be
seen as a retaliation, that she has still
have a fun aura to give.
The artwork around Katy’s face
connotes her being framed, like she is a
delicate piece of art, once again
implying her success, but also her
6. Each single has its own
individual story and there is
QUICK NOTE ABOUT THE a lack of theme to link them
to the same album. In some
SINGLE ARTWORK singles Katy Perry’s logo has
been incorporated; in the
majority of them it has been
modified to suit the cover’s
theme.
This is probably due to
the popularity and
success of Katy Perry as
an icon, and also due to
the success of her
singles; Perry only needs
to add her name and
image to a single to make
it a success, and to
encourage individual
single success each single
is attached to its own
promoted theme that is
exclusive to the song. It is
almost like each single’s
release is treated like
that of an album.
However there are two common
trends that can be identified;
firstly, each single is dressed
very femininely, and secondly,
each single has a rather defined
picure of Perry – all but one of
them close-up. Once again, it’s
her face that sells; each song is
strongly assosciated with a fun,
dominant but openly sensitive
character.
7. QUICK NOTES ON DEBUT
Though each product that has been released since
the first album has incorporated new and different
ideas it is important to understand the origin and
flow of the branding.
Perry’s first album is full of colour; the main colour
used to brand her image is a rich pink which is
feminine but all the same dominant, but this is toned
down with other blue and green shades to suit the
‘one of the boys’ theme. This is also extended by the
relaxed stance of the artist. The image is full of filler
too (e.g. the sky, fence, flowers), to make the artist
stand out and become memorable – an artist will not
be remembered by just their face is they are new to
the industry. The ‘Katy Perry’ logo is defining for the
artist’s career; it is used and recognised on each
single and even future products.
Each single has similar artwork; each cover has a
plain background with either a defining image of
Perry posing or a defining item. Example 1: Perry
hints at a cheeky theme on the first single’s cover,
which correlates with the provocative title ‘I Kissed a
Girl’. Example 2: ‘Waking Up In Vegas’ catches Perry in
a fun stance but it is the flashy red dice behind that
define the image.
In each single the logo has been re-used to aid
recognition, both with the artist and the artist’s
album.
