Research and PlanningAncillary 2- Album Poster

Text Positioning and DesignThe artists name and album title appear at the top of the page in a sans serif style font. This font is in large white text making it stand out against the dark image underneath it. The bold text also makes the poster instantly attention grabbing as it causes the consumer to assume it is an important advert and continue reading. ‘Marina’ has been made larger than the rest of the artist name because she is also known by the shortened version of her name ‘Marina and the Diamonds’ and this will be instantly recognisable to the audience. ‘The new album’ and the latest single that feature on the album ‘Primadonna’ are placed at the bottom of the poster which makes the text frame the image. Adding this song title may trigger people who have heard the song and enjoy it to buy the album because it suggests that other songs on the album are similar. This text is in the same font and colour but is in a smaller font as the information is not as important. The text design has a slight yellow/red glow behind which gives the poster a unique quality and suggests that Mariana is an innovative artist. This colour also picks out pigments that can be seen on her skin in the image due to the way it has been edited. This repetition of use of colour shows a consistent house style. The design of this poster is extra simplistic and I think it works well to be eye catching and successful in making a consumer stop and read the advert.

Imagery and House StyleIn terms of mise-en-scene the image is a close up of the artist, the lighting used is low key which gives mysterious connotations. This is also conveyed through the use of direct address and the alluring facial expression she gives. The title of the album is ‘electra heart’ which depicts her stage character which she created to describe everything she doesn’t want to be, vacuous and a corrupt person which is her worst fear. She has portrayed this character well through imagery and text, for example the titles of her new song ‘Primadonna’ is written at the botton of the advert, which is anchored by the style of the artist. The term ‘Primadonna’ traditionally describes a leading female singer, in more recent times it is associated with someone who is only concerned with themselves and who is vain. This is portrayed through the image, Marina is wearing make- up that is reminiscent of the 50’s which is often used by female singers this suggests that her music is timeless. The image shows iconography as Marina is wearing her signature drawn heart on her face which makes her appear unique. Her hair is pinned up in rollers which create the idea she is preparing to go on stage, the whole look together creates the idea that she is a diva which anchors the song title and her’electra heart’ character

Design PrincipleThe beginning of the artists name is in the primary optical area meaning that it’s the first place the audience’s eyes are drawn to and this will make the artists name the most memorable, this also leads into the area of orientation which Guttenberg says the eyes move across the page from left to right meaning that the audience will be forced to read the artists name and album title. The terminal area is in the bottom right hand corner and is the end of the text; it also has the record label so that they are the last thing you’ll see and remember.

GenreFrom this poster it is clear that Marina creates a hybrid of pop and electronic music. The main denotes Marina as having a ‘perfect’ and attractive look, however this effect has been created through heavy manipulation and editing. The colour that is shown behind the text also creates the idea of flashing lights which connotes electronic music because they give iconography of the lights used in clubs which conventially play electro music. The title of the album ‘electra’ also preempts this electronic hybrid as well.