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.

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:5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.8. Barcode in the bottom right hand corner- This is the way the album is bought.

9. Name of record company- This is important for copyright and contact purposes.10. Copyright and year- This is important for legal purposes.

11. Who owns the copyright material- important for legal purposes.12. Who distributed the album- legal purposes.

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!”

Flatplan two- front cover Flatplan two- back

Main image

1. Band name (diagonal)

2. Album name (diagonal)

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”

Flatplan three- front cover Flatplan three- back

BAN

D N

AME:

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?”

Flatplan four- front cover:

Flatplan four- back:

BAND NAME:

Main ImageAlbum name:

BAND N

AME:

Album name:

Songs numbered in order:

1. ..2. ..3. ..4. ..5. ..6. ..7. ..8. ..9. ..10. ..

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”