This document analyzes and summarizes several album covers and magazine advertisements. For the A$AP ROCKY album, it notes the central placement of the name and similar fonts for the name and album title. It also discusses stereotypes associated with the artist's name and genre. For the Beyoncé album, it examines typical design conventions followed, including placement of information and singles. The Coldplay analysis looks at atypical design choices compared to conventions and inclusion of the band members' images. Across all examples, it considers typical positioning of elements and how they adhere to or break conventions for the genres.

1. Magazine adverts
and Digipak
Analysis

2. A$AP ROCKY
LONG LIVE A$AP
(digipak)

3. Name of artist – Appears
to be in the centre of
the front cover of the
digipak which fits into
one of the typical
conventions of the
positioning of the name
of the artist either
being at the top or in
the centre.
Name of album. The font used
doesn’t differ from the font
that is used for the name of
the artist. Usually they
tend to differ to offer
recognition.
Even though I know the genre that A$AP ROCK falls under, it is
fairly clear that he is part of the hip hop genre due to the design
of his stage name. it includes a dollar sign which is what we often
associate with hip hop artists/ rappers. In terms of stereotypes, we
often associate black males to be part of hip hop and rap music
culture which is also another signifier
The photograph/ colour
scheme is in black and
white which gives the
impression that the songs
on the album is either
negative or depressing.
If the image was to be put
together to be one whole
image, it would be a medium
close up shot. The medium
close up image has been
manipulated into an
exaggerated style through an
editing software.
The name of the artist/
title appears to be of
the same size which is
not what you would
typically see in most
album covers. The title
usually appears larger
in size than the album
name. they also appear
to be within the same
style (font) and
positioning.
Representing the united states
by wearing a US flag across
him. This simply shows that he
is cherishes the country that
he lives in.
FRONT COVER

4. Song
names.
Doesn’t
include
the
numbers
for each
track but
I am sure
that they
are in
order
from top
to bottom
A variety of social networking sites that the
artist and the record labels appear on. This
gives viewers the opportunity to research
further to gain more interest
It is vital
that all CD’s
have a barcode.
Barcode’s are
often located
on the top or
left right hand
side at the
back of the
digipak.
There is no image at the back of the digipak.
However, the VHS effect has been applied to the back
which is what is shown on the front cover that
includes the artist. This is to compliment the front
cover the case to approve that it is together.
Record label logo’s
which is what all
digipaks must
include. Usually they
are located at the
back of the case

5. Beyoncé
4
(full digipak)

6. This is one of Beyoncé’s
album called ‘4’. The name
of the artist is covered by
the artist in the middle of
the name. This has
deliberately done since she
is a well known artist
across the globe. Therefore
the positioning of the model
is not an issue since it is
easy to recognise due to the
large text and unique name.
To add, the text that the
artist name is in is quite
basic which is what is quite
often used for the artist or
in another simple font.
A medium shot has been used
which is frequently used in
R&B album covers or medium
close ups. Beyoncé lays
against a plain neutral
background with no
accessories which makes it
even more clear that she is
part of the R&B genre.
The size of the artist name and
title of album fits with the
typical representations of a
front cover of a digipak. The
location of the artist name is
directly on the centre at the
top in capital’s. The title of
the album appears to be the
second smallest on the front
cover which is located on the
right bottom corner which is
what you would typically expect
it to be.
Singles have been included on the digipak as an individual piece. It has been applied on a
sticker. The sticker is in the colour red which is associated with alertness especially
because the rest of the colours used for the front cover are plain. The most popular singles
are addressed which will attract customers to buy it.

7. The logo of the record label ‘song music’
appears to be located at the bottom. It is
used to make others aware of which record
label the artist is with.
The image for the back of the
Digi pack is practically
similar to the image on the
front in terms of the setting
and similar style. I believe
that the setting is on a
balcony. As you may notice,
the sky in this image is
probably the background of the
front cover. In contrast, the
costume is different since
Beyoncé is no longer wearing a
fur jacket but a leotard.
The name of the artist is
located in the same position
as the front cover. This is to
highlight the artist since she
is popular which creates a
sense of persuasion and
recognition.
In comparison to A$AP
ROCKY album cover, the
tracks on the album
appear to be in a small
section on the right hand
size. In a sentence/ list
type rather than the list
style like the male
rapper. This is because
R&B music albums tend to
have this style of
listing as a convention
whereas music genres such
as rap/ hip hop tend to
literally list order the
song tracks. In my
opinion, this style of
addressing the tracks
look much neater at
presentable.
All the less important
information is at the
bottom. The barcode is at
the bottom right which is
where it is frequently seen
or on the top right corner.

8. According from research, it appears that the booklet that appears
to be inside the digipak is called sleeve notes which consists of
information based about the CD:
Note: can contain lyrics to songs instead of information.
In this case, Beyoncé's sleeve note contains pages filled with
the names of each track along side individual photographs that
match the theme of the song/ photographs that were taken from the
video shoot.
From looking on the right hand side, I have taken a photograph of
a page which is of the song ‘Love On Top’ which mentions the name
of the song writer of the song and photographer. I have noticed
that the name of the songs appears to be in the same font as the
name of Beyoncé on the front cover. This shows a consistent style
within the digipak to make it fit in well.
As I physically open the digipak, there
appears to be two features of either side;
a booklet and a CD.
The CD is red in colour and has a large
black letter B in the middle in a font
style that represents the artist by just
the one initial. It doesn’t match the font
of the rest of the text throughout the
pack.
The record label is addressed at the bottom
although it is also at the back of the CD
cover. I almost believe that this has been
done if the CD and case separates from each
other to inform other of the record label
that the artist is with.

9. Coldplay
4
(digipak and
advert)

10. Arty design which has
been created to
represent the name of
the album called X&Y.
The name of the band and the name of the
album appears to be on the same side as
each other with the same text and font
size. This is not what you would typically
find on a digipak front cover.
The design falls in the
centre of the front cover
allowing loads of free
space around it.
The tracks appear to be in a list of
the left hand side. The record label
strangely appears to be located at
the top left of the digipak. Usually
it appears at the bottom
The barcode is in the typical
position that it would usually
be on any type of digipak.
There is no
design on the
back of the
digipak.
However, the
main colour
scheme remains
the same which
is the most
important
part.

11. From looking at other magazine adverts, this seems to be one
that differs from the rest. Usually, I would notice a similar
image like the actual album cover – however, the album cover
appears to be small in size on the bottom left corner which is
used to make viewers/ potential buyers and fans be familiar with
the design of the album cover once it is released.
Since the original image that is on the album cover, it appears
to be an image of the members of the band which covers half of
the advert. I believe that this is because their personal
recognition is not really shown much in their music videos.
Therefore, it gives viewers the opportunity to visualise who the
members of the band actually are.
The name of the album/ band is designed into a font which stands
out amongst the release of the album. It is more than basic
whereas the font for the release date is quite narrow in font
and simple to make it instantly recognisable of its release.
On the bottom right corner, the advert mentions that it was
created from EMI which is a music record label that COLDPLAY is
in association with. However, on the left hand corner, the logo
of the Parlophone record label is included which successfully
allows viewers to be aware of the additional record label that
the band is in association with. It also includes the name of
the bands personal website which offers people the opportunity
to look up the band if they are unaware of them.

12. I have decided to analyse another magazine advert of Coldplay’s. I have now
identified that the band tends to have some sort of design on their musical
products.
The name of the album actually tends to be much more larger than the name of
the band. This is rather unusual because this is not a typical convention of
a magazine advert. As I previously mentioned from my research for
conventions, the name of the artist/ band usually appears to be the largest
to catch viewers eyes instantly.
From my groups findings, the band is a pop rock group. This literally
explains the reason why the background image of the advert is colourful.
This successfully makes viewers aware of the possible types of genres that
the band is associated since the vibrant colours are seen as fun and
youthful.
The size of the name of the artist and the date of release it relatively the
same. I believe that they have the same amount of importance even though
they are smaller than the title of the album. Date of release is highly
important on magazine adverts since it makes viewers aware and prepared for
the upcoming release of the album otherwise there would be no sales.
Sometimes, magazine adverts tend to include the logo of the record label
that they are associated with. In this case, the advert of Coldplay includes
their record label located at the bottom middle of the page. It appears that
the information throughout the entire advert is in the colour white. I
believe that this has been done to enable all the information to stand out
amongst the busy background. Any other colour would not be visible enough to
see.
The information at the bottom differs from the larger text at the top.
Because the larger text is exaggerated, it enables viewers to set focus
properly to what is written. The text at the bottom however, is in a more
simpler style which makes it much easier for viewers to follow whilst
reading.

13. Here is a magazine advert of Artic Monkeys album ‘AM’. I have chosen to
analyse Artic Monkey’s since they are in relation to the pop rock
genre. Therefore, this will help me deciding on what to use for my
magazine advert by combining different styles from different pop rock
bands.
Instantly, the entire style is near to basic. It remains to be in two
different basic colours – black and white. The connotations of white is
innocence, goodness. Perhaps the slight rock element of the genre has
been supported through the colour black which is associated with power
and death which is what the rock genre is seen as. I believe that there
is a contrast of good and bad being represented on the advert.
There appears to be minimal information. It only includes the name of
the band, album title and date. Because it is very near to basic, it is
easy for viewers to rapidly intake the information that is being
provided.
The font used throughout the advert is almost the same. The band name
is slightly manipulated to an angle whereas the writing at the bottom
is standard front which interlinks with the level of communication that
it offers to viewers instantly.
The size of the writing appears to fit with the connotations of
magazine adverts. The name of the band is the largest and the title of
the album is the second largest which stands out amongst. The smaller
writing around its area.
I am unsure to what the design in the centre is representing. It
reminds me of a heart rate monitor in the shape of glass lenses. This
possibly could represent the pop side of the genre by making it be seen
a cool.