Social Media - Page Layout

Social Media - Artist Identity

Freezing Apes

From the name Arctic Monkeys, I have derived to the name Freezing Apes (which is just a combination of the alternative words of Arctic - Freezing, Monkeys - Apes).

Following the pattern of the references I had mentioned in the References blog, I would build Freezing Apes with a band identity. Freezing Apes would be a rock music band, so therefore their social media posts would have to relate to rock conventions.

Social Media Page - References

References of Social Media Pages

In today's digital age, social media plays a pivotal role for artists looking to showcase and promote their work, connecting directly with their audience. As such, crafting a compelling and engaging online presence is crucial. 

This refers to the original artist Arctic Monkeys. Their social media posts reflect their genre with a consistent dark-themed aesthetic. Additionally, they frequently share videos of their performances, showcasing their expertise in rock music.

Many posts featuring "rock-coded" instruments such as electric guitar or drums, further highlight the band's identity, making them have a label for their name in the industry.

While Coldplay also does music in other fields such as pop, they had many famous alternative rock songs as well. 

We can see a similar pattern happens here with Coldplay's feed; with many posts featuring them performancing with "rock-coded" instruments (guitar, drums). Furthermore, one similarity shared between these artists is that they all highlight their identity as a band (with posts showing them playing together).

Red Hot Chili Peppers are also a renowned alternative rock band. Just like the artists mentioned earlier, they've got a social media page with a similar layout of posts, with pictures emphasizing their identity as a band (group of different individuals involved).

Overall, from many rock artists' social network page layout that I have passed, there are few similarities I have conducted to derive an efficient site of my own.

Their posts dominantly feature:

- Hard metal instruments

- Performances

- Concerts and their fans

- Them performance together as a band and sometimes as individuals

- Promotion of new album

DigiPak - Visualization Diagram

DigiPak - Mood Board

 

Here is the mood board I have put together, featuring all the designs and symbols I plan to incorporate into my DigiPak.

First of all, I am aiming for an overall theme that exudes a dark-cozy vibe to draw in the audience. Picture this: the cover will feature a snapshot from a scene in the kitchen, complete with warm lighting and prominent wooden home accents. This ties back to the mise-en-scene I have envisioned for the music video, aiming to evoke feelings of home and self-isolation from society (think being locked up in the house). I will keep the exposure low and contrast high, giving the cover a sharp, metallic edge that resonates with the conventions of alternative rock music videos and stays true to audience preferences.

Furthermore, to enhance the dreamlike quality and blur the boundaries between reality and the main character's hallucinations, I'll incorporate some graininess and reduce clarity. Adding hints of blue or white to the filter will further contribute to the ethereal atmosphere.

As previously mentioned, the background setting predominantly features wooden furniture against a backdrop dominated by brown hues, complemented by warm yellow lighting. Consequently, I have chosen a color palette primarily comprising shades of brown. These colors are not overly bright, leaning towards warm tones, aligning perfectly with my aim to cultivate a cozy and homely atmosphere. Plus, they serve as a subtle reminder of the narrative throughout the music video. 

For the typography, I have opted for a handwritten style. This choice adds a handmade touch and emphasizes self-expression, tying back to the narrative of the main character. Since the story revolves around unrequited love, using handwritten typography helps convey this theme more powerfully to the audience. Expect the handwriting to be a bit messy, with plenty of doodles scattered around, mirroring the chaos in the main character's mind. 

DigiPak - References

  

This is the DigiPak for the album AM by the original artist Arctic Monkeys. While I am not directly drawing inspiration from their DigiPak, it is important for me to take a look and assess how their music aligns with their graphic design conventions, as therefore I could do the same for mine.

The majority of tracks on the AM album lean heavily towards rock elements, particularly evident in I Wanna Be Yours (alternative rock). Reflecting on the genre conventions I have explored, this digipak adeptly adheres to the established codes. Its monochromatic scheme effectively pays tribute to rock aesthetics, evoking a sense of grit and edge. Furthermore, the simple utilization of fonts, symbols, and the artists' attire also reflects clearly with conventions, aiming to keep the spotlight on the music rather than its visual elements.

So what would I take from this reference?

I'm focused on staying in tune with conventions while also pushing boundaries with my designs. For instance, my DigiPak would keep things simple, featuring a warm color palette with minimal contrast. I would use grain effects to add a touch of texture and grit. The costumes would also follow suit, remaining basic and comfortable, serving both convention and narrative purposes. 

However, instead of staying as limited in colors and symbols as Arctic Monkeys', I would like to add a bit of illustrations, which would be adjusted to suit the narrative of the music video. Further explanation of my plans on ideas would be featured in my DigiPak Mood Board blog.

Overall, it would not be a flashy or attention-grabbing DigiPak, but it would have its own subdued charm.