The document discusses the visual style and branding elements used across the promotional package for a band called The Magic Gang. A consistent visual style was important to establish the band and link the music video, digipak, and album advert. Key elements like the logo, color palette, band photographs, and instruments were incorporated throughout the three media products to strengthen the brand and visual identity. The font, depth of field techniques, and other design features also helped to achieve a cohesive promotional package that effectively marketed and commodified the band.

1. How effective is the
combination of your
main product and the
two ancillary texts?

2. A consistent visual style is imperative for my promotional package, as it helps to
establish the product (album). These products often have a common theme that the
audience should be able to recognise.
Visual style can be achieved through design features, which create symbiotic links
between the three promotional package products (video, digipak and advert). I heavily
considered this in my planning, to ensure that my music video, digipak and album
advert linked.
I noticed that many existing artists and bands create a visual link between their own
products. In my previous research, I viewed Coldplay’s ’A Head Full Of Dreams’
promotional package for their album. Both their advert and digipak share the same
visual style. This style and continuous theme is heavily associate with the album.
Audiences (particularly fans of Coldplay) will be able to recognise this.

3. The American Marketing Association (AMA) defines a brand as a "name, term,
sign, symbol or design, or a combination of them intended to identify the goods
and services of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those
of other sellers”.
Commodification is the process in which an artist or band turns themselves into a
sellable product. This is imperative for an artist or band because through
commodification, they can promote their music and themselves. This is important
for sales.
I have commodified ‘The Magic Gang’ into a brand, which is evident in my
promotional package. All of my media products promote the band and their
music. I integrated the band into my marketing through the band photographs
and logo. This allowed me to create a recognisable brand for my band, which I've
learnt is very important.

4. The band make thier mark and strengthen their branding with the logo. From the sprial on
the digipak, to the logo sticker on the drums and guitar (music video); Jade and I found
quirky and creative ways to add it into our promotional package. It almost acts as an
‘easter egg’, as the audience can spot the different ways it has been incorperated into our
media.
My logo is an excellent example of branding. My group and I
created a logo for The Magic Gang, which features in our
promotional package. The Magic Gang do have an existing logo.
However, it is quite basic and simple. My group and I challenged
ourselves to create our own logo. I think we did this successfully
and I am extremely happy with the final design. The spiral design
is a common and recognisable design feature throughout my
promotional package.
This logo increases the visual style between my music video
and two ancillary texts. This is effective in our promotional
package, as it helps to commidfy the band. The logo creates
successful branding. The images below show the logo use in
my promtional package.

5. The colour palette throughout my video, digipak and advert is very similar. This was
intentionally done. When planning and creating my design, I thought carefully about the colour
use across my music video and two ancillary texts. This is evident through my promotional
package.
I used a colourful colour palette in my music video. This is met through the split screen,
doodles and colour grading. These features really enhance the music video and better the
quality. They coordinate well with the upbeat chorus dynamic. I also added pastel orange and
purple colours, which highlight the happy relationship before the deterioration and break-up.
These pastel colours were also used in the album advert and digipak. In addition to these
colours, Jade and I added blue and green pastel colours. These coordinate very well with
each other. For the two ancillary texts I used these colours to create a background. This
shared background creates a visual style link between my promotional package. Jade and I
used the same colours for each band member, which created a theme. For example, the lead
singer was always orange (in the video, digipak and advert).
The text was coloured either black or white. I chose these colours, as they stand out against
the colourful colour palette. These monotone colours also link to the indie rock style. It is
imperative that I link to my genre, to appeal to my demographic.

6. I photographed the band specifically for my digipak and advert design. I took
a variety of group and individual shots.
These photos were inspired by existing indie bands, such as ’The Kooks’
and ‘Catfish and the Bottlemen’. The indie genre subverts star image and
mainstream ideals. This anti-star image is presented in their appearance
and expression. They are positioned in the typical indie formations, which is
evident from my digipak mood board. Their facial expressions are serious
and moody. This further reinforces the indie genre. These images were used
in my digipak and advert. To carry across this image/style, the band is
wearing the same costumes in all three of my media products.
The individual photographs of the band members were used on the inside
panel of my digipak. They were also used on the album advert too. This
creates a link between the two ancillary texts, as the photographs are
recognisably the same.
The lead singer is most important. This is highlighted in my music video, as
he has the most screen time. He is also positioned at the front of the digipak
and advert designs. This theme is carried across my digipak, advert and
video.

7. Instruments
The instruments are an integral design feature and prop in my promotional package. They’re
included in all three of my media products. The instruments are included in the chorus
(performance) of my music video. The digipak and advert show photographs of the band and
their instruments. This reinforces their love for music and the indie rock genre. It acts as a
visual signifier and shows newer audiences what each of the band members play. These
instruments will appeal to the demographic of fans, as the instruments highlight the indie
genre and image, which the fans will enjoy and can relate to.
The Magic Gang
‘Abadi extra bold’
Font
The ‘Abadi extra bold’ font is used throughout my promotional
package. It is a recognisable design feature. This font is used in
the logo, which is included on all three of my media products. I
also used this font for the advert and digipak text. It is a clear font,
which has a quirky and fun design. Therefore, it conforms to the
indie genre (which shares similar ideals).
Depth of field
I added a depth of field to both my digipak and advert. This was
achieved through creating visible layers, which present a 3D style. I
created this by placing the text behind the photographs. This appeals to
the viewer, as it is more creative and complex. Furthermore, it increases
its professionalism and quality, which benefits its promotional purpose.