Things to keep in mind when designing: typeface, size, colour, graphics, content. I learned this in week 3 but we talk about target audience in every class. Anyways, the choices you make in these elements will attract a certain target audience/demographic.
Let's see 3 examples... of cd cover designs! (I'm currently in a musical mode).
Let's compare three album covers which all feature a close-up of a female artist.
1. Hole (Courtney Love)
1. Typeface - Album from 1994 but the typeface reminds me of the 70s, retro feel
2. Size - Close up of face expressing happiness, bliss, excitement.
3. Colours - Warm colours - makes me feel happy, fade colours give it an older feel.
4. Graphics - Only focus on courtney love's face - which greatly contributes to target audience. She's wearing a crown, holding flowers, her make-up seems to be smudged. Mouth open hide in joy.
5. Content - Well balanced design.
Personally, through the design of this cover I could see that the target audience is:
teenagers who like to have fun, party, who are or wish to be free spirited. Looks like a party. It looks like her makeup is running - showing intense emotion. A 70's feel attracts a broader audience - people who enjoy older rock hits. It's appropriate that Courtney included these retro elements since many of her songs are inspired by classic rock artists and she puts her on grungy attitude on top of it. Her confidence shines through her photo - her music was quite different among the other music in the 90's, especially since it was coming from a girl. The cover is well-balanced - the graphics are quite extravagant and eye-catching and the title does not clash with t because it's simple with a girly edge that reflects the feminist elements in her music.
2. Taylor Swift
1. Typeface - Delicate, feminine, twirly
2. Size - Again, just her face. Natural makeup, rested facial expression. Typeface is a good size.
3. Colours - Very natural
4. Graphics - Butterflies, background patterning
5. Content - A lot of detail/textures going on but it's pretty balanced. I just don't like the background because her curly hair doesn't blend well with the background - she's clearly put out and pasted on top of it.
All of these elements are very feminine so they will attract that audience. Taylor showcases herself with natural hair and makeup and the overall effect is purity, innocence - therefore, I believe that most of the audience would be young, perhaps in their preteens and early teens. The nature feel in the cover found in the water, earth, butterfly elements and her slight glowing tan reflect her country music genre, attracting country fans. Very innocent. I think it is mainly aimed for girls and teenagers, but it is obviously open for anyone to listen.
3. KE$HA
1. Typeface - Bold, hard, scratchy, edgy.
2. Size - Typeface is also capitalized and in yellow - very noticeable.
3. Colours - Dark elements contrasting yellow/warm colours
4. Graphics - Random touches of lines and specks to add to the edginess
5. Content - Below
Her expression is a lot different compared to taylor swift's innocent smile and courtney love's huge grin. Ke$ha's expression is serious, sexual, and shows power and attitude. It's also edgier than the other two. However, I also see similarities between courtney's and ke$ha's. Kesha and Courtney shows dominance while Taylor seems vulnerable.
Anyways, the combined elements of this cover show that the album is aimed for edgier teenagers who perhaps are also free spirited, independent, want to rebel, and/or enjoy hard partying/clubbing/concerts/etc.
The idea of target audience connects through all of my classes this term - audio production, media writing, english, digital media, media tech theory, and even biology.
-Karoline
(week 4)
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