This document outlines two ancillary tasks for researching digi-paks and magazine advertisements. For the digi-pak task, students must write 750-word essays analyzing at least two digi-paks based on questions about design elements, images, text, and representation of the artist and genre. For the magazine advertisement task, students must similarly write 750-word analyses of two ads based on codes of advertisements and representation of the artist and genre. Key elements of digi-packs and codes for magazine ads are also listed. Links to Photoshop workbooks are provided.

1. ANCILLARY TASK RESEARCH
A) DIGI PAK BLOG TASK
You must research at least 2 digi-paks, writing at least an 750 word essay on
each (with screen grabs of the CD you are researching).
A digi-pak is a 4 or 6 sided CD with front and back cover and 2 (or 4) inside
panels.
These are the questions you must ask yourself:
What can be said about the photograph - including how it is composed?
What meaning is communicated through use of images and colour?
What meaning is communicated through use of font? Include a discussion of
font style, placing of font, size, colour and formal / informal font.
What can you say overall about juxtaposition of images and text?
How do the panels represent the artist?
How do the panels represent the genre?
What have you learnt about this digi pack that will help you when designing
your own digi-pack?
You must give examples from the digi pack you are analysing.
KEY ELEMENTS OF A DIGI PACK
Name of the band/ artist.
Name of the album
Track listing
Price
Bonus Material
Website

2. ANCILLARY TASK RESEARCH
Credits
Recording information, producer, where it was
recorded and when.
Who wrote the songs.
PICTORIAL
Pictures of the band/ artist.
Logo
Barcode
Cd logo
Website banner
DESIGN
Colour and style to fit
Artists genre.
Unfolds
Cardboard sleeve/
Adverts
CD
Booklet
CD case

3. ANCILLARY TASK RESEARCH
B) RESEARCH TASK ON MAGAZINE ADVERT
You must write at least 750 words on two adverts.
Analyse the two adverts in terms of the codes (below) and
specify the differing conventions you notice in relation to
the genre and artist. Explain your answer by giving specific
examples from each advert.
These are the questions you must ask yourself:
What meaning is communicated through use of images, composition and
colour?
What meaning is communicated through use of font - size, style, colour,
layout, formal / informal?
What can you say overall about juxtaposition of images and text?
How does the advert represent the artist?
How does the advert represent the genre?
What have you learnt about this advert that will help you when designing your
own advert?
You must give examples from the advert you are analysing and screen grabs
of it.
Magazine Advert Codes and Conventions (ALBUM)

4. ANCILLARY TASK RESEARCH
CODES OF A MAGAZINE ADVERT
1. Name of band/ artist and album
2. Date of album release
3. Band/artist image/ style
4. Featuring songs
5. Form of release (CD, download)
6. Either photograph or artwork as main image
7. Record company
8. Bands website – myspace /official page
9. Critical quotes, ratings
10. Set colour scheme
NOTE: The conventions of the magazine advert will differ depending on
the genre of the music that has been produced. For example, when
discussing colour scheme you may recognise that an advert for a pop
album may be different from that of a hiphop advert.

5. ANCILLARY TASK RESEARCH
IMPORTANT!!! LINK TO ACCESS A PHOTOSHOP
WORKBOOK ON THE WINDSOR MEDIA BLOG
http://windsoradvancedportfolio.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/
photoshop-handbook.html

6. ANCILLARY TASK RESEARCH
IMPORTANT!!! LINK TO ACCESS A PHOTOSHOP
WORKBOOK ON THE WINDSOR MEDIA BLOG
http://windsoradvancedportfolio.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/
photoshop-handbook.html