The document provides information on typical conventions and design elements commonly found on pop music album covers. It notes that pop covers usually feature close-up photographs of artists, with a focus on promoting the artist's image or brand over the musical product. Design elements typically include simple color schemes, fonts, and layouts with the artist and album title prominently displayed on the front and back covers. Inside covers also tend to have consistent color schemes and minimal text. Students are assigned to compare a pop album cover design to one from a different genre.

1. Examine these covers – write down any similarities
For your diary - Assessment 8 October

2. POP GROUP

3. GENRE of music
TYPICAL CONNVENTIONS
POP

4. BRAND image of artist

5. CLOSE UP photographs
medium or full length
rarely long or establishing shots
why? Bound, audience, personal, copycat, knowledge, voyeurism

6. DIRECT ADDRESS
relationship

7. No DIRECT ADDRESS
Rebellious, anti, indie, urban, serious, thoughtful

8. The ARTIST (the musician, the band)
PROMOTION of artist, not the product
READ the image – strength, fierce, romatic, seductive, vulnerable

9. The ARTIST (the musician, the band)
PROMOTION of artist, not the product
READ the image – strength, fierce, romatic, seductive, vulnerable

10. FRONT COVER
Simple colour
simple design
contrast typography
bold, simple fonts
Different colour for band
hidden meanings
title – descriptive (type of music)

11. BACK COVERS
Contrast typography
often name of band – top
name of album below
list of songs – central
barcode BRHS
name record company
copyright and year
owner of material
distributors

12. SPINE
record company – Known font
Band name
Album name – same fonts/branding
code – numerical - company

13. ARTIST NAME
key to creating the star’s image/the brand

14. INSIDE
Similar colour scheme
plain back ground
fewer text
fewer characters

15. INSIDE
Similar colour scheme
plain back ground
fewer text
fewer characters
Alternatives other Genres + printing costs
In pop: ugly, urban, story telling,
Next lesson

16. Grime
Teen pop
R + B
Disco
Motown
Northern Soul
Gospel
Soul Blues
Reggae
Dub
Ska
Glam Rock
Gothic
Hard Rock
Metal
Punk
Psychedelic
Rock
Indie
Love Song
Musicals
Gothic
Country
Rap
Drum + Bass
Electronic
Techno
Trance
Brass band
Jazz
Flamenco
Hip-Hop
Garage
Grunge
House
Soundtrack
Classical
Barbershop
Pop
Jazz
Celtic Folk
Japanese Pop
Create two powerpoint
slides or Publisher
documents and compare a
Pop CD cover with a
different genre type – SEE
list
Homework sheet is due in
next lesson