History of Music Videos

Through doing this research I have learnt that music videos have changed hugely throughout the years and also I have learnt that they developed extremely quickly as well. I have also learnt that as the years went on, artists started developing the tecnhiques used in the videos as well which was very important by the time it got to the year MTV was launched. As well as the techniques being used and developed it was also the style of the videos being developed, for example how it went from just promotional videos to narrative videos with a beginning, middle and end. Due to these developments directors and artists could start being more creative and wacky with the techniques they used. Overall I learnt about how they developed from just recording someone walking down the street to the present day of narrative promotional videos.     

Digipak Analysis

Digipaks are a registered trademark of AGI-Shorewood, an Atlas Holdings LLC company. They hold one or more plastic trays to house CD's being purchased along with any other bonus materials relating to the artist which could include an information booklet with lyrics, personal information, tour dates and also pictures of the artist. This is one reason why digipaks are more expensive than conventional CD casing. The reason why digipaks are used is because pictures or text can be put onto every panel which is beneficial as this is the way they can make it feel as if it is a special edition case. The whole point of a digipak is to engage the customer and give them a different design to look at. Digipaks allow this because of their panels and layout. The whole point of including the information booklet and bonus material is to increase the sales of CD's instead of people going to pirating websites to download the songs, lyrics or even pictures illegally.  

Digipaks are the music industries response to current consumer habits of illegally downloading songs and albums through piracy. This is constantly increasing which is bad because there has been a substantial plummet in CD and DVD sales. Digipaks are especially popular in the music industry and when they were first introduced they began to be used by more and more manufacturers. They are mainly popular for CD albums as well as multiple CD disc sets. CD digipaks give a product an expensive professional look and feel because of the artwork and also the cardboard material instead of plastic casing. 

There is also another form of the digipak which is a book form and was created by MeadWestvaco. Their product called Digi-pak is trademarked.    

Example of Branding- Jay-Z

Jay-Z Example

Through looking at this shortened video clip of Jay-Z's new song 'Holy Grail' from his new album, you can quite clearly see through his body language, lyrics and the general mise en scene of the song that he is trying to portray a more 'gangster' and threatening look and representation. This is his brand and the type of message he wants to give people because his music is his main section of his brand. His music is what he is mostly known for. This is generally a more negatively portrayed look for people to see but as this is his brand that is what Jay-Z would be expecting. Also, it is what he wants so the look he is going for has been successful.  

Through looking at one individual artist I have learnt that branding is a major part in the success of the artist as well as the promotion. Due to Jay-Z having a clothing line as well as his music, this has meant he has increased his popularity and people are going to be walking around wearing clothing which was inspired by him. This could be alongside people listening to his music at the same time. This is a clear example of a brand because he is influencing people through different means of media and fashion. As well as these two things, he also has his website called 'lifeandtimes' as well as his Twitter and Facebook pages and his YouTube channel called Jay-Z life and times. He is constantly branding and re-branding through appearing on adverts as well as his own clothes and others clothes- just like the Topman t-shirt above. Overall Jay-Z is a fantastic example of a music artist who has made a brand and has been successful with it.


LOGO BRANDING

Through doing this research on logo's of bands and artists I realised that the logo is one of the main things and identities of the artist. This is because it is unique and no other band or artist could copy it. Also, it is the name of a band, just with a unique design/font to it. This is also another way of marketing and promoting themselves for the fans and consumers because a bands logo can be put on clothing and other retail products like birthday cards, guitar pics, guitar and drum stickers as well as things like playing cards which are on the poster above. The logo is a massive part of a bands look and can also determine the style or genre of music which they play. 

FASHION BRANDING

The Branding of fashion has taught me a lot because I learnt that the music artists produce is extremely personal and carrying it on through a different mean is extremely important to artists. This is why music artists create fashion brands and clothing lines because they want to carry on their persona and feel for their music into clothing that people can wear and relate to. For example 'Makaveli Branded' was founded seven years after Tupac died and because him and his music was so iconic they wanted to carry on his 'legacy' so people can remember him and his music. 

Analysis of Music Websites

http://alexmoore14.wix.com/analysis-of-websites

What have I learnt?

Through this research I have looked at all the different codes and conventions of a music website and have found out which parts are the most important and are needed the most. I also learnt that the social networking side of the websites is a major factor in having a good website. This is because of the contact the fans gain with the artists which is important because they end up having a good relationship with them and then promotion is made a lot easier. The colours are also a main convention of the website because they link in with the genre and style of the band which is important because they need their own identity.