Evaluation Task 3 (Part 2): What have you learned from your audience feedback?

Evaluation Task 3 (Part 1): What have you learned from your audience feedback?

Feedback on Ancillary Tasks

We did an initial focus group with our classmates during the lesson. In general, we got positive feedback because we have worked hard up to this point. However, my group is not particularly experienced with handling editing software such as Photoshop and Wix, so we still need to make some arrangements so that our products reach the required professional standards. 

First, I showed the class the digipak so far. The most important criticism I got was:

• To make the titles in the cover fit the images/structure more rather than appear just stuck in.
• To remove the text I put on the inside cover and make the image stretch throughout the whole section.
• To add one/two more song titles on the back cover to follow the conventions.
• To change the spine, as it is barely visible: I should tint it white.
• To switch the position of the barcode and the company logo. 

The main changes we have to implement the website are:

• Reduce the number of tabs/change the colour so that they are visible.
• Use specific vocabulary in the front page to indicate that it is a music website.
• To carefully choose the picture of the gallery or get rid of it.
• To put the "About" page second in the order as it is more relevant than the tabs we included before.
• To be consistent with the fonts chosen.

Evaluation Task 2 Conclusion: How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

I have been effective in communicating the star image as part of my campaign – considering the distribution of the product and the brand image.  Ultimately, the brand image I wanted to promote was a passionate young musician with initiative and the aim to unite people in the strive to be creative.  This is important for any campaign or concept for example, in the campaign. For example, this could be compared to actual artists like Rex Orange County, who is constantly willing to collaborate with similar upcoming artists and engage with his fans.

Second, I feel that I have given the campaign a unique selling point through the star image.  The star image I have promoted is accessible and mysterious at the same time, an inspiring personality who  encourages people to work hard in order to success. A unique selling point used in a  coherent campaign will provide different opportunities to market the star image.  An audience who is able to spread word of mouth about a publicity campaign can ensure success through the engagement with the  text as a form of online media – helping spread, circulate and distributing meaning among fans.

Finally, I have technically delivered a coherent looking campaign, with faded blue tones and an emphasis in showcasing art such as collage through the use of image and online social media.  The music video promotes a release from the album release whilst the website acts as an effective online toll which helps distribute and promote meaning for a fan base.  The circulation and spread of meaning by the intended audience helps with co-option, a theory that Boyd developed which comes hand in hand with the rise of the Web 2.0, among the fans and aids me with the marketing and promotion of the album.

Evaluation Task 2 (Part 2): How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

Evaluation Task 2 (Part 1): How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

For Task 2, we are required to carry out a video evaluation of the combination of our main product and the ancillary texts (CD digipak and website). They all constitute a promotion campaign which advertises the artist to the niche audience it is directed to. The marketing strategy and visual images are a key part of the task. We have to follow the forms and conventions of the industry and compare our campaign to similar artist's campaigns.

CD digipak covers are key to market the star image before the music is purchased and widely known. Through the use of conventions blended with innovation effectively, they construct a message for the audience. A website is a tool that mainly promotes:

• The release of a single or an album.
• The artist's tour or a live appearance.
• Merchandising (posters, clothing, vinyl records).

Dyer's theory of the star image is intended to link the look of the artist to their style of music. Apart from being more accessible and easy to understand by worldwide fans, campaigns help idolise bands and singers. This is done by giving out certain information but holding back some details in order to keep the mystery: the star image of the artist is never completed.

Some campaigns that we have compared August's to are King Krule, Beach Fossils, and Rex Orange County.

Evaluation Task 1 Conclusion: In what ways does your media product use,develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Conventions are the generally accepted ways of doing something.  Conventions can be used, supported, reiterated.  They can be challenged deliberately to make a point about an artist and make them stand out in the market. In evaluation of the question set I feel that I have drawn on the conventions of media products in my own campaign.  This use of these conventions is evident in the construction of my own products.

This is supported by my own research onto indie music conventions, analysing the websites of King Krule and Beach Fossils, among others. This enabled me to create a similar look, with wide images, a big font and an About page that was very detailed in the passion and talent of August.

At the same time, I have sought to develop and been able to challenge conventions, for example, I have decided to include a collage composed of small-scale images of the artist sleeping rather than the typical pop promo campaigns in which the face (and body) of the artist are used to attract audiences in a sexualised way.

The reason why feel that I have achieved this is to differentiate my product in a competitive music industry market and I have attempted to challenge audience expectations, bring something new to the media forms.  Media Conventions are ultimately relied upon for communicating the right message to the intended audience, but also deviate from these expectations helps sell the star image that I wanted to promote. Audiences produce meaning from the interaction of the conventional material in a text, and their understanding of conventions, for example in my online survey, I got responses which acknowledged  the alternative style of the artist and found the image to support the music genre because they were familiar with similar musicians. 

Evaluation Task 1 (Part 3): In what ways does your media product use,develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Task 1 P3 from elenae81