Coursework

1. Pendulum – Textual Analysis of
TEXTUAL Advertisements
Magazine ANALYSIS OF MAGAZINE
ADVERTISEMENTS

2. Adverts
This poster is inter textual with the animated
surrealism and colouring used throughout their
branding. This makes it easy to recognise them as a
band through the way they present themselves
through other medias than music. The blue and
water like colours symbolise immersion which
makes it all intertextually related as the album
they’re performing is called ‘immersion. The use of
the strobe light darting out from the sun setting
gives the audience a feel of what the concert will
be like but still maintaining that ethereal feel. The
way they have projected the audience and stage
onto a mountainous surrounding brings in the idea
of nature to their concerts. It‘s Pendulum’s vision
of how they turn a normal venue into their own
view of earth. Bringing their music to life to their
fans and this makes them want to experience it
with them.

3. Advert
This pendulum poster is directed to the
whole of Europe. They have branded
themselves in the same surreal way but
with less colour to fit in more. To appeal
to all the other countries rather than
just England, America and Australia. The
sound wave superimposed onto the
band create the feeling of their music
through a visual. The positioning of the
band emphasises their role in it and
puts emphasis on the main singer. Their
body language is strong and reflects the
dark editing to look powerful. The font
used for the pendulum text is bold and
reflects their stance is the same strong
sense. The dark cloudy sky stops around
the main singer with a white outline
that makes it look like he’s exploding
into the background.

4. Digipack
Intertextuality is used throughout
their pieces. They all have elements
of blue throughout the merchandise
which synergises their whole brand.
The use of sea and space bring the
ethereal feel in their music videos to
the merchandise and makes it all
intertextual. If I saw just part of the
album cover I would know it was
them as they have distinguished
their own feel and style which is
identifiable by everyone.

5. Pendulum t-shirts
All the colours correspond with each other and
interlink to create that surreal effect that the videos
give off. This is all to create that recognisable
Pendulum brand and increase their brand awareness.
The use of black on the t shirt makes the logo on the
front stand out more. This could be interpreted as
using darkness in the music videos you make the main
focal point stand out more as it’s lighter. The use of sea
creatures, eyes, fire, space, tiger, all builds up that
feeling of nature and earth like qualities. By turning the
tiger blue makes a warm toned animal appear cold and
that juxtaposes with everyone’s usual image of a tiger.
It’s as if they’re turning things into the ‘Pendulum style’
and twisting everyone’s pre-conceptions. Almost as if
they’re turning things into ice with their music. It is all
quite strong imagery and earth is something scientists
don’t even understand which makes them appear as
‘the unknown’ and gives them an edge no other band
has. The ethereal qualities are carried throughout and
this makes their band consistent and recognisable.

6. Music article and CD front cover
The incongruous to the background
writing stands out through the
juxtaposing colours. The black and
white background is used to make
the writing stand out and add an
impact to their article. The use of a
‘bull dog’ creates the connotations
of an urban feel and city estate like.
This is in keeping with their rough
videos and continuing that vibe
throughout their branding.
The smashed glass is in-keeping with the
loud, brash sounding music that Skrillex
creates. This makes him identifiable as a
dubstep artist and relateable to his fans.
The contrasting colours of white and red
reflecting purity and innocence vs. hell
and blood. The writing is bold and not
shattered in any way showing that it is
destroying the innocence and symbolic of
the artist’s extreme music. The way the
letters dart out into the glass makes it feel
like they’re contributing to the smash and
goes with the flow of the image.