Digipak Planning - Ideas and Theming

When creating the digipak, presentation and theming will be very important aspects to keep it looking professional and to make sure that it upholds the brand identity that is established in the music video. I took both of these concepts into consideration and created a mind map to help me brainstorm ideas for designs for the digipak.

On the right is my mind map. It shows some clear options to consider when designing the digipak including objects such as; doves, candles, the band members and the instruments, as well as ways in which to portray them such as; silhouettes, playing with light and black and white. Another theme noted are the emotions that need to be portrayed (melancholy, hope or penitence).

Theming is important in order to uphold the brand identity for the band and to make sure that the products synergise. I also have to keep in mind that the products have to really engage the audience and make them want to buy it. Although this seems like an obvious point, it is important that it is taken into consideration as some designs may not be able to sell themselves or may not be appropriate for the specific target audience.

15th Jan - Second Shooting, Success!

Yesterday was our second attempt to film our video. We once again got all of our band members and instruments together and headed off to Holy Trinity Church. When we got there, to our great relief, one of the churchmen was there to let us in and we immediately began to set up the instruments. To the right is the checklist we used throughout the day to make sure we had everything.

Our lead singer had forewarned us that he had to leave earlier than the others so the primary focus for the first few hours was to get all of the shots involving him done. These included solo singing shots, wide group shots and other dynamic shots with other instruments in the background.

Also in this post below is the shooting schedule and risk assessment that were also used.

Holy Trinity Church

Since St Micheal's and All Angels church is now under construction we have switched to our back-up church, the Holy Trinity Church.

Here is a map and a photo of the outside of our church from google maps. The church is in an accessible area and has the same old stony look.




We have already contacted them and had a look round to make sure that it is a suitable location for us. The following are some pictures that we took there:

Equipment

This is a list of all the equipment we used on the day of shooting:

• Sony Handycam Video recorder
• Camera tape
• Hand-held lamps
• Digital Camera
• Toshiba laptop
• Speakers
• Music Player
• Extension Cable

Props:

• Microphone
• Guitar
• Drums
• Cello
• Violin
• Amplifiers
  

Digipak Research - Logos and Styles

I am the chief designer of our group for the ancillary tasks. As such, when my team mates work on the music video editing I will work on them but before I can begin on that, research must be carried out. I am beginning with research into our chosen band, if they have a particular logo and how their album covers look. Then I will look into other band's albums in the alternative rock genre.

To begin with I am looking into One Republic's logo. Each of their albums have different text fonts on them (Image on the right) and they really don't have one specific logo so I will be creating my own one for my designs. That said, there are similarities between the logos. Only 3 colours are present throughout all of the logos; black, white and brown (brown as a secondary colour). These set a distinct colour scheme and I will take this on board when designing my own. Another similarity is the the fonts are all formal which reflects the band's music videos (where they wear formal or smart-casual clothes) and promotes the band's image.

The actual art on the album covers are, in general, fairly abstract. Paint splodges are used in many of the designs and 'Dreaming out loud' features a silhouetted tree on a blue, starry background. This is common of the alternative rock scene. Despite the fact that they are abstract, the images are still formal in how they are presented. More examples of abstract cover art from bands that are 'alternative rock' is on the left.

The cover of 'Apologize' features the band members in formal wear posing. Obviously this shows that the band doesn't always choose abstract covers for their albums but it is uncommon.

I will probably experiment with a more abstract style of cover for my own work as it suits the band's style and genre well.