These are my initial ideas for the design of my digipak cover. I am aware that these may change slightly over the course of making it. Idea 3 (below) is the idea I like the most so this is the plan I am going to use.
Idea 3 is my favourite concept as it is simple and the geometric pattern is by far the best due to the way they seem to emanate from Tamas' face and the designs without the geometric pattern are a little dull and have too much happening.
I really like the idea of making a bold statement with the digipak cover by using bright primary colours against a black background to create a striking stand out image. I also think it is important when a band is new to have a picture of the band members or the lead singer on the front to make them easily recognisable and to promote the band's image, however many bands do not do this in their first album release for example:
On top of this I want to create a recognisable image for the band that can be used in promotional merchandise; the use of red and yellow in a geometric pattern makes a bold statement next to the pallid grey scale face of Tamas.
Update: I have just realised that although I love this colour scheme, it is the colours of the German flag which makes this album cover quite confusing in terms of nationality as the band is called The New York Fund, it has a German flag background, a review saying 'Best new British Band' and vaguely Russian looking text.
Although this may be a good design and if it was to be used in 'the real world' this would be fine, however in the specification it defines that the digipak should show elements of Britishness! This is why I have had to change my design slightly (see below).
By adding the green and blue graphics to the design some ofthe simplicity has been lost from it but the added brightness and the way it no longer looks like the German Flag makes this a lot better.
Many comedy films have been made about the Music Industry, however in recent years the music industry seems to have become increasingly obsessed with money and the power struggle between consumers and producers. On top of this the age of Rock 'n' Roll is over and it is no longer a socially acceptable fact to take drugs and drive your car into a swimming pool. This is shown by the condemnation of Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty for taking drugs. Don't get me wrong I am not condoning copious amounts of drug taking that colours the lives of Ozzy Osbourne and Jimi Hendrix but the music industry now seems so uptight, only accepting mainstream artists if they fit a certain genre: tall, skinny, muscular, good looking and an ability to sound just like everybody else. The days of liking music for musics sake and forgetting the private life of artists is at an end!
Still Crazy Trailer This film released in 1998 spans the careers of a hit band of the 70's and their attempt to revive their music lives with a reunion tour of some of the most disgusting venues. This film is a satirical view of rock stars and their lives incorporating good music with alcohol, drugs and jokes. This sort of film has also been released recently with 'The Boat That Rocked', in this respect it is not unusual to see comedy and music hand in hand. However these film are all based in the past music scenes and the current stars of the music industry are taken extremely seriously, with magazine stories covering parts of their lives and constantly analysing what they wear and what they do. This serious view on the industry dictates the type of mainstream music that is now produced and all sounds slightly similar as to stray from the tracks of acceptable behaviour is to be under ridicule and is career suicide in the eyes of the music industry.
'Big Bottoms' by Spinal Tap from the film This is Spinal Tap, as you can tell from this clip comedy is used satirically just as in Still Crazy through a fictitious band and their lives. Set in the time of release (1984) this moc-umentary tries to reveal the lives behind the music and the use of comical songs like 'Big Bottoms' certainly does make a satire of the music industry.
As I have said before the world of comedy and music often combine to create a whole new experience. Comedians like Tim Minchin, Victoria Wood and Bill Bailey do this perfectly, as during their stand-up performances they perform funny songs.
Basically what I am trying to say is that Music and Comedy mesh so well and yet the music industry is full of rules and intrusion from the media industry that the comedy is often overlooked. so wouldnt it be great if audiences were not so concerned with the private lives of the celebrities but are more interested in enjoying the music and having fun!
Without a doubt in mind if I had to choose a Disney Character that reigns supreme it would have to be Genie from Aladdin. He with stands the pass of time and the pass of new generations of Disney characters (that are now fused with Pixar)to still be the popular icon that he is today.
It is not only this that persuades me, he is the king of Disney. I have formulated a list of reasons why he is Disney's best creation and have backed some these points up with evidence:
He is the ultimate performer - sing, dance, entertain, magic, comedy, impressions (Robert De Niro - Taxi Driver - 'You Looking at me?'
He is blue and so easily recognisable, i mean how many floating blue men with no legs are there?
He is a huge symbol of magical power and prowess
He is compact
Powerful
Immortal - never ending peace
He can change shape!
Knows how to party
One man army - so can defeat anyone (even Russia)!
Speaks many different languages
He gives wishes to anybody who rubs his lamp meaning that he treats everyone fairly and with the same rules applied:
No wishing for more wishes - shows intelligence which is also shown by his rule of no refunds!
No Killing - Shows morals
No bringing people back from the dead - also shows morals and intelligence but free thinking and an ability to rule
No forcing people to fall in love - he does not mess with minds
All of the above are shown in the clip below:
8. The Genie cares about friends - knows who to trust 9. He promotes selflessness - didn't hold Aladdin to his promise 10. He doesn't care about looks with a big blue belly and a silly comic hair cut 11. He is now free to do whatever he pleases and so he has more power
All of these things are shown in the ending scene of Aladdin:
By adding all these factors together you discover that the Genie would be a magnificent ruler and the fact that he has been locked away from the world for years should not be a draw back, for example all you need to do is look at Nelson Mandela who was locked away for years but ultimately became a peaceful ruler.
From the point of view of the creator's side the Genie is very interesting because they have implemented many stereotypes but at the same time broken many, for instance the genie is over weight with a bubbly cheerful disposition which is a huge stereotype. On top of this he has a gold earring and a curly beard signifying that he is from the middle-east. These techniques are rife within Disney but the Genie breaks some of these rules by transforming in to American icons like Forrest Gump (Aladdin and the Prince of Thieves). So he is unique in the way that he is designed and the methodology he transmits. If you were looking for a Disney character to reign supreme in terms of representations the best one to choose would have to be Mulan, who although has to masquerade as a man to do what is neccessary, she is an empowering symbol to women, showing that what men can do so can women in so doing creating an equality between the sexes.
Going back to the Genie however we should always remember that underneath all the blue satirical comments he is .... Robin Williams! Which in itself deserves a crown!
These are my initial ideas for the design of my digipak cover. I am aware that these may change slightly over the course of making it. Idea 3 (below) is the idea I like the most so this is the plan I am going to use.
Idea 3 is my favourite concept as it is simple and the geometric pattern is by far the best due to the way they seem to emanate from Tamas' face and the designs without the geometric pattern are a little dull and have too much happening.
On top of this I want to create a recognisable image for the band that can be used in promotional merchandise; the use of red and yellow in a geometric pattern makes a bold statement next to the pallid grey scale face of Tamas.
By adding the green and blue graphics to the design some ofthe simplicity has been lost from it but the added brightness and the way it no longer looks like the German Flag makes this a lot better.
