The document discusses creating flat plans for album covers to get feedback from the target audience on different layout options. It explains that flat plans are visual representations of possible album cover designs that allow for testing different layouts of typical conventions like the band name, album title, and main image. Getting feedback will help determine the most appealing layout to use for the final album cover design in order to increase its success and appeal to the target audience.

1. FLATPLANS FOR ALBUM COVER:
A flat plan is a visual representation of my
possible album covers.
By creating a few flat plans, I am able to layout
my typical conventions of album covers, in
several different ways.
Once I have created a few different flat plans,
with several differing layouts (e.g. image or title
in different places on each) of the typical
conventions, I can ask my target audience to give
me feedback on which layout is most appealing.
By doing this, with the evidence about which
layout is most appealing, I will be able to create
my album cover in this way, and therefore ensure
that it will appeal to my target audience, and
increase the success of my products overall.

2. REVISED- CONVENTIONS OF AN ALBUM COVER:
There are several typical conventions of an album cover, of which I must revise in order to ensure that all my flat plans include the necessary conventions.
Revising the typical conventions, involves highlighting and identifying the general aspects, that are present on all successful album covers currently available on the
market today.
By identifying these conventions, I can include them in my flat plans, which I will refer to when it comes to producing my actual album cover, and with the inclusion
of the typical conventions I can ensure success of my album cover and appeal from my target audience.
The typical conventions of album cover include:
Front cover:
1. Band name- This is usually presented as the masthead, and is present at the top of the album cover. This is important as it attracts the target audience whom
may recognise the name of the band, and also highlights the producers of the music for future purchases. The name should be confirmative of the genre of
music and so attract the specific target audience.
2. Album titile- This is usually near the band name, and is the name of that particular album. It is usually in bold typography and stands out to the target audience.
It is sometimes the name of a single, present as one of the songs on the album.
3. Main image- this usually takes up the majority of the frame, and is centred according to the rule of thirds. It is an image which must be confirmative of the
genre, and style of music. It is usually of the main artist or band, and therefore enables fans and target audiences to identify this album as theirs and therefore
buy it. Representations of the image and style may vary according to the type of target audience, the product is aimed at. The main image, may include props or
other people that further enhance the genre, and so attract and appeal to the target audience.
4. Simplistic colour scheme- The colour scheme used throughout the album cover should be constant throughout the entire thing. The colour scheme should be
generally simplistic, so as not to deter attention away from the band name etc.. The colour scheme should also be confirmative of the genre of music, for
example black and red for rock music.
Back Cover:
1. Name of band at very top- This is important as it ensures that the consumer is aware of the band, for publicity and success of the band.
2. Name of album- This is usually near the band name, and is the name of that particular album. It is usually in bold typography and stands out to the target
audience. It is sometimes the name of a single, present as one of the songs on the album.
3. List of songs present on the album- This is usually presented vertically numbered, in the order of which the songs will consecutively play on the album. This
enables people to find the number of the song they want to listen to, as well as identifying song names, for further purchases and interest. It is important that
the numbers appear in the order of which the songs will play ion the album, enabling audiences to skip to songs they have want.
4. Barcode in the bottom right hand corner- This is the way the album is bought.
5. Name of record company- This is important for copyright and contact purposes.
6. Copyright and year- This is important for legal purposes.
7. Who owns the copyright material- important for legal purposes.
8. Who distributed the album- legal purposes.

3. Flatplan One- Front cover. Flatplan One- Back
BAND NAME:
Album name
Main image:
BAND NAME:
Numbered list of songs on album:
1. ..
2. ..
3. ..
4. ..
5. ..
6. ..
7. ..
8. ..
9. ..
10. ..
Barcode:
Copyright and year, distribution company,
name of record company and owner of
copyright.
Customer feedback:
• Jana “I really like this design because its very clear to understand, and therefore
means that you would easily see it in a shop. Also the fact that the band name is
at the top clearly allows fans of a band to see the album and buy it”
• Rebecca “I do really like this album cover as its very clear and easy to look at. The
main image takes up the majority of the frame which I like. However, I think it’s a
bit too boring and samey. Maybe you could experiment with the way things are
presented just to make it a little more exciting”
• Jasmine “This album cover is quite nice and simple. I like the fact that the band
name is bigger than the album cover name. I think the design could be a little
more exciting though, especially as your target audience is youngish”
Customer feedback:
• Nancy “the back of this album cover is really appealing. Its clear to
understand, as the song numbers are clearly numbered and presented.
Also I think it is good that all the kind of legal information is at the
bottom of the album cover, and so doesn't interfere”
• Aziza “the back of this album cover is really nice, its easy to understand
etc.. However I feel you could maybe make it a little more interesting and
exciting to look at!”

4. Flatplan two- front cover Flatplan two- back
Main image
BAND NAME:
Album name:
Song numbers: horizontally presented.
1…….. 2……. 3…… 4…… 5…… 6….. 7….. 8…… 9…..
10……. 11…… 12…… 13……. 14…… 15…… 16……
Barcode
Small image
of artist:
Customer feedback:
• Jana “I really like this album cover- However I am aware that the attempt is to
make it more interesting however, the fact that the band name and album name is
diagonally positioned, near the bottom of the cover, could make it a little bit
confusing and harder to identify the band or artist”
• Rebecca “The album cover is really nice and more interesting than previous ones. I
again, like the fact that the main image spans the entirety of the frame. I think
maybe it would be better though if the band name was at the top, and the album
name was in the diagonal banner, so as to ensure that the band name is
recognised by fans!”
Customer feedback:
• Jasmine “ This back is really good. I like the fact that a small image is
included to add interest. However, I think that the horizontal representation
of the song numbers could be a bit confusing and hard to follow”
• Nancy “this back of album is very good. I like the fact that the band name
and album name is at the top clearly, so that there is constant flow between
the front and back cover of the album. The small image in the corner is
good, maybe more could be added to make this even better”

5. Flatplan three- front cover Flatplan three- back
BANDNAME:
Album
name:
Main image:
Song lyrics in order:
1. ..
2. ..
3. ..
4. ..
5. ..
6. ..
7. ..
8. ..
9. ..
10. ..
11. ..
12. ..
13. ..
14. ..
BAND NAME:
Album name:
Image:
Barcode
Customer feedback:
• Aziza “This is a really nice front cover. I like the fact that it is unique and
different from the average, everyday album covers found on todays market. I
like the band name along the side, and the fact that the album name is kind of
squeezed into this. The main image also takes up the majority of the frame
which I like”
• Jana “ This is a very nice album cover, I like the way the band name and album
name is presented, however, the fact that the album name is kind of squeezed in
with the band name could mean that the album name is not very easily seen?”
Customer feedback:
• Rebecca “ the back of this album cover is really nice. I like the fact that there is
an image present- that adds interest. Also I like the way the lyrics are presented
along the side of the frame. I think it is really good, and slightly different to
other backs of album cover on the market today- which could increase
popularity and success”
• Jasmine “This is a really good design. I think the only thing that could be altered
Is possibly the lyrics, as because there along the side, will there be enough
space for them to be big enough to be seen?”

6. Flatplan four- front
cover:
Flatplan four- back:
BAND NAME:
Main Image
Album
name:
BANDNAME:
Barcode
Main
image:
Customer feedback:
• Nancy “I like the fact that this album cover varies from other ones available
on the market. This is because the band name is slightly differently placed,
and also the album name is. However I think the band name should be at the
top because , it ensures that fans can clearly see it. The album name
positioning is cool though!”
• Aziza “This album cover is really cool, however I think that the band name
should be at the top and bigger. The album name is in a cool position, but
would it overlap the picture, or will the picture not take up the majority of
the frame!?”
Customer feedback:
• Jana “This is a really good back of album cover. This is because its different to all
the others on the market. I think the band name should be at the top of the frame
though just because it will make it clearer and easier to understand. I like the
diagonal tilt!”
• Rebecca “ This design is good, as it is different from other products. However I
think that there is too much going on and it could be a bit too busy. Maybe if the
band name was at the top, then it would make it less confusing- however with the
diagonal positioning etc., I think there could be too much going on making it hard
for the audience to understand it- especially if your going for a classy feel. Maybe
just either do the diagonal or the side positioning of the band name rather than
all of them”