The 1975 and Lana Del Rey both maintain consistent black and white imagery across their album packaging to reinforce their artistic brands. They use simple, repetitive visuals that focus on the artist and force audiences to judge based on the music rather than flashy images. Both artists also name their debut albums after themselves to more easily identify the project with their band/name. This consistency of visual style across different marketing materials effectively builds recognition with their audiences over time.
1. +
Analysis Of Magazine Posters and Digipaks
By Daniel Bruce
2. +
The 1975 are extremely consist with the image that they create as a band
when they launch and album or new song. Black and White as the main
colours are also extremely stereotypical of the bands image and the genre of
the industry that their in. The audience that the Digipak will be targeted add
may know instantly that as a result of the image the band is tThe1975 a key
concept of marketing, maintaining image.
Name Of Band. Key feature to the
launch of the album that makes
sure the audience is aware of
exactly who’s album is
Launching.
The 1975 have also cleverly named
their first debut album after the band,
this will help their audience to make
sure they do not get confused and
actually it makes the launch of the
album much easier for the audience to
remember if it’s the same name as the
band.
Continuing with the theme of consistency, the
1975 commonly use this rectangle outline in
albums, Digipak’s, music videos etc. It works
as another way of identifying the band from
The 1975 however also haven't mentioned a launch date for their album, this the audiences perspective
could easily stir an expecting audience which increases demand hugely.
3. +
As mentioned with the Digipak, The 1975 are extremely consist with the image that they create as a band
when they launch and album or new song. Black and White as the main colours are also extremely
stereotypical of the bands image and the genre of the industry that their in. The audience that the Digipak will
be targeted at may know instantly that as a result of the image the band is The1975 a key concept of
marketing, maintaining image. For example the albums front cover is extremely similar to that of the Digipak
making it easy for the audience to identify with the brand created by the band.
Although the album cover doesn’t leap out of the
shelves at an audience it is still somewhat artistic
and meaningful. I have noticed that the band hide
a lot of hidden ideoligies and concepts in their
songs for the audience to find. This is certainly
replicated on the album cover that poses a lot of
questions but is still admirable as a piece of art.
Furthermore, as mentioned in the Digipak, The
1975 have also cleverly named their first debut
album after the band, this will help their audience
to make sure they do not get confused and
actually it makes the launch of the album much
easier for the audience to remember if it’s the
same name as the band. The 1975’s stunning and
iconic font is the only real consistency of the front
cover and so directly attracts audience attention.
Continuing with the theme of consistency and
indeed the Digipak that introduced the album, the
1975 commonly use this rectangle outline in
albums, Digipak’s, music videos etc. It works as
another way of identifying the band from the
audiences perspective
The 1975 also create a feeling of confidence with their music. They’re an extremely detached and perhaps emotionless
band who don’t believe in fancy advertising to swing their audience, in many ways their old fashion and tell their audience
to judge them by their music not their image, an effective method of advertising, The colours also appear to be replicated
through in every way.
4. +
Her placid and innocent expression could indicate a contradiction with the album title
‘Ultraviolence’ as she doesn't’t appear violent or an encourager of violence in any way
possible, and she looks extremely pure and innocent. Narrative isn’t specifically applicable to
this image as the image doesn’t necessarily tell a story about the artist, apart from the fact
that she has a vintage vibe and approach to the music itself.
The setting of the front album
cover looks plain which could
be the reason why it has been
chosen as the main element
that stands out is Lana,
secondly looking at the
background and the
picturesque background
connotes her retro genre.
An element of vintage is present as she is
wearing what appears to be a classy top and
her makeup is classy due to the simple
makeup yet including a dark eyelines which
adds a slight edge to the album and
eventually the music, as the way Lana sings
and performs is rather 1960’s as it is very
much spoken word.
Due to the vintage look of the album cover, it
sets her out to be separate from other artists
and follow the lead of more indie artists that
cater to a niche audience, such as Florence
Welsh and Marina and the Diamonds.
On the front cover of Lana del Rey’s ‘Ultraviolence’ album cover, there is only one character which is Lana herself. She is directly
addressing the camera and the effectively the audience, which gives off a powerful and stern vibe from Lana. Her simple yet effective
image gives her a classy look due to the way her hair is style, makeup and the piece of clothing we can see, this allows her ‘pop’ label
of genre to be questioned as this cover suggests she’s an indie artist as much isn’t going on within the mise en scene whereas with a
pop artist, their front cover is usually technologically enhanced with a computerised feel to the image and the overall album.
The most obvious iconography used on the front cover would be the vintage look and this would appeal to consumers who enjoy this
style of music yet with a more modern aspect to it, as she is also labelled as a pop artist. Her overall appearance is rather vintage with
her makeup done so plainly, the way her hair is styled and her clothing, giving off a classy feel yet some of her songs can be risqué
and rather pop like considering the content, causing a binary opposition.
5. +
Just like the 1975 Lana has managed to maintain her
image on both Digipak and Album Cover. She is an
emotional singer who again utilises black and white to
create a detached feel, again almost forcing the audience
to listen to her and judge her music rather than being
allowed to deeply analyse the album cover, which is plain
and extremely simple, somewhat representative of her
music and attitude.
Lana’s vintage style seen within her outfit, hair and makeup.
Lana’s wavy hair, nude lipstick and pout is a common feature seen
with her albums, posters and adverts. It has allowed her to create
a visual style which is a high demand seen within the record
labeland allows her target audience to recognise her for her stylish
vintage image. Her target audience will define Lana for her beauty
and sophisticated look. Lana has been pictured outside which is a
typical feature seen within the indie genre. It displays her as
exploring the world to encounter on experiences to help her write
songs. A filter has been used to darken the image which reflects a
link between the artist and her music. The colour scheme of the
front cover contradicts fresh and youthful colours resembling her
young target audience. A simple styled font has been used to
display the artists title. This styled is commonly seen within Lana’s
albums, and advert which allows her to create a visual style and
allows her title to be easily recognised within her target audience.
The simplicity of the styled font relates the simplicity of Lana’s
music.
A vintage car is clearly seen in the album cover, another
element of Lana’s image that is constantly reinforced with
cars and clothes playing a huge part of her star image, that
sells he to her target audience.
The album cover consists of a same style image of the artist seen within the front cover and draws our attention to her body
language. The focus on Lana allows us as the audience to focus on her serious facial expression which would be defining how she
takes her music seriously as an artist. The close up displays Goodwin’s voyeuristic theory where the audience can have an insight
into the artists life. The repetition of the same styled image is allowing Lana to create a visual style which is important to her album.
By applying the image to both Digipak and Album cover shows Lana’s importance as an artist and how she should be recognised for
her image as well as her music. The colour is extremely emotionless in black and white however Lana still appears pure, white and
natural. I feel the reason for inclusion of a car could be suggesting as an artist Lana goes out exploring the world to find encounter on
new experiences but when she does she encounters on emotional elements which creates emotional and darkening songs. I feel by
keeping her colour scheme consistent and plain allows her music to appeal to any gender creating a wider target audience.