Branding Research

Click this link to visit my branding research web page: http://mcilroyeden.wix.com/brandingresearch

My task was to investigate how artists/bands create a brand for themselves by using costumes/fashion, logos, album covers and social media. I found that most bands have a recognisable logo and their album cover usually represents who they are as a band and what type of music they play. I also found that costumes/fashion have a big part in the development of creating a brand. If you have a style that audiences find appealing and interesting, you will attract more fans. 

From this knowledge, I now know what is needed to create a successful brand which will be helpful when creating my digipak, website and music video. I have also learnt the importance of synergy when creating a music brand. For example, most bands release merchandise with their bands logos on it. Whenever a fan wears a piece of merchandise from a certain band/artist, it is as if they are promoting that music genre and so, this intrigues more fans. 

Changes To Music Videos

I created a presentation on Slideshare where I compared an old music video to a newer music video. I decided to chose 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen (1975) and 'Na Na Na' by My Chemical Romance (2010). I focused on camera angles that were used, the use of editing, colour schemes, narrative and performance. This task has helped me understand how much music videos have changed over time which will be helpful when planning my music video as I now know what makes a music video successful and what does not. Comparing these two music video have also helped me learnt how much colour schemes, costumes/fashion and the sound of the actual music has changed over time.

Inspirational Music Videos

Digipaks

My task was to create a prezi, discussing the topic of digipaks. I learnt what they are, their advantages, their disadvantages, how much they cost and what they are made of. This will help me when I create my own digipak for my artist/bands music video. I have also learnt that in digipaks, you must include:
*Colour schemes.
*Pictures of band/artist.
*Information booklet inside digipak.
*Must be a 4/6/8 panel - (preferably 6 panel).

Analysis of Music Websites

My task was to create a presentation where I focused on the features found on a number of artists/bands official websites. I looked at Green Day (punk), Black Sabbath (rock/metal), Eminem (rap), Kodaline (indie) and Ed Sheeran (pop). I focused on the fonts that were used, any pictures that were shown, the posts and the used of colour in both the background and text. I analysed each website, identifying what is commonly found on an artists/bands website. This task allowed me to decide which features I could use when creating my own website and what would make it look interesting and eye-catching.

The History Of Music Videos

My task was to research the history of music videos. I constructed my presentation on "Time Toast" which is a website which allows you to create timelines. I used wikipedia and previous A2 students timelines to create my own, selecting the most iconic and important events which shaped the development of music videos we have today.
I have learnt the importance of websites such as YouTube and music channels such as MTV. Without these, most music videos would not be as popular as they are today. Music websites and channels allow audiences to watch their favourite bands/artists and also helps those artists gain more fans.
I have also learnt that a music videos with an interesting narrative makes it more popular than songs that may not even have a narrative. For example, Thriller by Michael Jackson is possibly the most famous music video in history and this is due to the storyline; making the music video look as if it was a movie.