Introduction
In this side of the course we learnt about how the design of an album cover can help to associate a certain image to a particular artist. In order to show my understanding of this, I am going to analyse the album artwork for Eminem's relapse artwork and also the artwork of Bob Dylan's essential album.
The front cover shows Eminem's face looking off into the distance. The three main points of importance here are:
- He is not looking directly at the audience
This signifies that he does not want to relate directly to his audience; as if their attention and co-operation is second in significance to something behind them. I also believe that this pose of looking into the distance gives connotes the idea of a visionary or leader. It seems to imitate such images as Che Guevara and Barack Obama.
- His face is a collage of drugs
The fact that they have chosen to use drugs and not only that but prescription drugs, as a way of building up the picture creates the idea of some one who maybe recovering from a condition such as depression. This builds the idea of him being a complex character. He may also be trying to convey that his life has always revolved around drugs in some way, which could attract audiences who have been affected by drug abuse.
- The prescription label in the bottom left
This label in corner tells us that this album is all about his own medication. Hinting that although in a very real sense he probably did/does have to take prescriptive medication, his life and career is also like a drug to him. It even says the drugs were "prescribed by Dr Dre" Dre is a very close friend of Eminem's who is also in the rapping game; the fact that these drugs have been prescribed by another rapper and not a real doctor reinstates the fact that these drugs are not to be seen as just your typical medication.
- The colour scheme is a mix between dark and light
The two most dominant colours in this picture are red and white. Red shows the darker and more angry side to Eminem's life and music; whilst the white gives the feeling of a more positive person. I believe that this ambiguous colour choice not only relates to the album but also relates to Eminem's life at the moment. Having his face in the direction of the brighter side makes it seem as though this album is, in a metaphorical sense, representing Eminem stepping out of the darkness and into the light.
Analysis of Bob Dylan Album Artwork
The second Album artwork cover up for analysis is the cover of The greatest hits of Bob Dylan:
- He is engrossed in what he is doing
Here we can see Bob Dylan playing his guitar. He seems to be completely immersed in what he is doing; this sends the message out to the audience that he has a real connection with his work and takes what he does very seriously. This will attract many different groups of people as alot of us have things that we all get emotionally attached to, his emotional attachment also makes Bob seem like more of a human being making that connection with his audience which is really important.
- Positioned as an icon
The wording of the title is particularly poignant in that it uses the superlative 'Essential' in order to describe the artist and the album. It makes it seem as though this is the album you all need to buy if your looking for the real sound of Bob Dylan. It creates an automatic connection with fans and music enthusiasts alike. The way that this shot has been composed seems to portray the idea that this man is an absolute icon within his field, the profile picture style of photographing makes it seem as though this guys is some one you should know.
- Appearance seems rough...
Bob Dylan is captured as being a guy that is rough and ready guy who has at a very young age already had many different experiences. His hair is long and messy therefore relating to the hippy movement of which Bob Dylan was a big part. Bob's expression is serious and looks deep in thought, this represents him as being the philosophical lyricist that he is. If you look to the bottom of the page you will notice that his top button is undone making him seem like a casual guy who is of a creative disposition.
