Project Proposal form

Learner Name Centre Name Teacher Assessor Unit Proposed project title

Jessica Hedley

Learner number Centre Number

Simon Smith

Date

10/10/13

Graphic Design & Photoshop in Album Cover Art (Historic/Current)

Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities

Title or working title of project (in the form of a question)

My project will be called Graphic Design & Photoshop in Album Cover Art (Historic/Current). This will involve a final production of 6 consecutive designs of album covers done on by drawing/painting, photography and graphic art all refined using Photoshop. I will analyze and relating myself back to previous iconic album covers and how their design has impacted on 21 st century design in the music industry of 2013-14.
Project objectives (eg, what is the question you want to answer? What do you want to learn how to do? What do you want to find out?):

I want to answer the question as to how album cover art was originally designed in the late 40s to present and how it impacted on the sales of records, also the rapport of the artist. Using several forms of detailed analyze and research I am going to conduct 6 designs (front and back cover) for album cover art of bands in my local area, I will create these by using several forms of media creation graphic art, photography and illustration. Through doing this I will demonstrate and develop my knowledge and skills of these creative elements to add to my final portfolio for university to study graphic design. After this I am planning to release my album art via the web and receive reviews from both the artist designed for and the public as to how they personally feel about the overall appeal of the album and most importantly, what would attract them to buy it?
If it is a group project, what will your responsibilities be? My project is individual and I will be the only one partaking in the research, analyze and final development of cover art. My responsibilities for my extended project will be Research/Commentary and analysis of several sources. Recording progress via my blog and to my tutor to show my development and gain guidance and advice. Planning, preparing a detailed schedule and documentation of how I will use my time through my project. Design, creating a varied amount of flat plans and brief drafts to show my first initial ideas include and relate back to my research to show how I have understood and taken inspiration. Production, using several forms of media to create 6 designs based on album cover art (front and back). Gather essential materials and appropriate space to create and monitor the designs and set myself goals for production. Evaluation, a detailed written copy of how I have used my time throughout my EPQ, what I have learned and my personal views on the impact of album cover art in the music industry.

Presentation, a 10-minute presentation on the overall outcome and how I worked in my EPQ to the student body at the end of the project.

Section Two: Reasons for choosing this project Reasons for choosing the project (eg, links to other subjects you are studying, personal interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is important): I have chosen to partake in this extended project to relate my previous experience in media and creative photography, from courses have previously and currently studying Level 3 Print Based Media and Photojournalism. Through this I have developed an enthusiasm for graphic design and photographic elements in the creative artistic industry that is campaigning/marketing and design. I would like to thoroughly develop my knowledge further through individual practise to take with me to university, showing I have a deep interest and the drive to work in groups and as an individual. I am a keen listener of music and came across the idea to incorporate that into my work to show my interests and skills in one constructive element. I have future plans to go into the creative media industry by working in graphics and photography, and it is my long-term goal to work freelance alongside my career designing covers for bands/television and other multimedia. Overall I feel my personal interests and enthusiastic approach to graphic design would benefit me well in doing this project and also include my own unique way of thinking and design to describe myself in a visual way when I come to attend universities. It will prepare me well for the future and give me confidence and drive to work as an individual and also help to develop my skills and knowledge in media.

Section Three: Activities and timescales Activities to be carried out during the project (eg, research, analysis, writing, preparing for the presentation, etc):
Primary research: Questionnaire or survey on what people think of previous album covers dated from the 40s to present and how they personally feel it has impacted the artist and music and whether it worked successfully? Album analyzes and how the creative elements have worked to build the rapport of the album and the artist. Based on colour scheme, layout, imagery, font and context.

How long this will take:

(1 week)

Secondary research: Finding 6 consecutive sources e.g. reviews of cover art, videos, and radio podcasts. Annotating and breaking down the reasons behind the opinions of the cover. Finding books/videos etc. of photography and illustration and annotating how I could use these methods provided in my final design and whether they may have been used in previous cover art.

(1 week)

Qualitative & Quantitative research: Qual: Brief description of why certain fonts, colour schemes and imagery will have been

chosen. How this affects the overall message behind the music and the impression it gives on the band and its genre? Quan: Measurements and templates of how albums are laid out and the overall evolution of the size and structure of records and CDs. Inclusion of previous well known artists and their approach and techniques used to create album cover art.

(3-5 days)

Planning & Analysis: Finding 4-6 album covers from different time periods and different genres of music, describing and breaking down the art, methods used and how this reflects the album and whole. Beginning to develop and small draft or flat plan taken from inspiration of previous covers to use in my final designs. Show examples and development to briefly demonstrate my understanding of how album artwork has evolved. Analyze a detailed plan and breakdown of techniques written by a previous album cover artist and how I can include this into my own designs. Find what inspires them and how the music portrays in their final artwork. A detailed plan of what I am going to do, what obstacles I may overcome? How do I overcome them? Materials? Sources? Personnel (if needed)? Etc.

(2-3 weeks)

Schedule and Health & Safety: A bit-by-bit schedule of how I plan to use my weeks of design and production and where I may experience problems or have to change my initial plans. E.g. when will I use illustration/graphic/photography? Research and brief rundown of what specific bands want in an EP/album cover and how they want to be represented visually. Do a short paragraph on how I will incorporate each bands description and musical methods into artwork.

Production and Post-Production: Going out to take images, produce illustration or take photographs of elements that could be used in my cover. For photography create contact sheets and annotate and for illustration, create mood boards of various sketches and annotate their involvement and meaning. Bring final elements into Photoshop and refine, print screen to show how the designs develop and a break down of what tools and methods I am using. Include colours/fonts and warp to fit the chosen cover image request involvement from the artist as to what could be better for their individual style.

Analysis of production: A detailed bullet pointed description of each element of my designs e.g. colour scheme/layout/imagery etc. and why and how I used this? If I have used any sourced artwork or imagery include the taken location in the description. Include where I could have improved, how I could of worked and used my time differently to be more successful, strengths and weaknesses.

Evaluation and Marketing: Include my artwork on band Facebook pages and other forms of media and record comments and opinions, analyze and include in final written evaluation. Gather a written feedback form from the artists and people who listen to the band as to how they feel it represents the music and what they like and dislike about the final products. A written evaluation of my research, my development, my planning/scheduling and final production relate each element together as to how I have learnt and understood the impact and evolution of cover art.

Presentation: Put together a 10-minute slideshow to be accompanied by a commentary of how I have worked, what I have enjoyed/not enjoyed, what Ive learned and brief facts and figures that I have related through my research into my final products. What people thought of the final materials and what are my plans for the future after the extended project?

Milestone one: Research & Initial Draft

Target date (set by tutor-assessor):

Milestone two: Second draft & Production

Target date (set by tutor-assessor): Section Four: Resources What resources will you need for your research, write up and presentation (eg, libraries, books, journals, equipment): Computer Photoshop CS6 Graphics Tablet Sketch Pad Art materials (pencils/paints/pens etc.) Tripod Photographic lightboxes SLR Camera Research books on art/photography/graphics etc.

What your areas of research will cover? I will cover previous elements and production of album covers for iconic artists, how the art played a big part in the succession of the album and how this could be used in 21st album art. I will also look at advertisements for albums and video ads relating how several forms of media work to the overall impact of the final album. I will conduct interviews/questionnaires with previous album artists and musicians as to what they look for in album art and what would make them pick up an album, other than what was on it. Fonts, colour schemes, layout and imagery is essential to look into and annotate as to why this particular form of media was used and how it effects the album on a visual understanding. Include relevance to the music industry and marketing sales and success of the album e.g. leading to press release, tours and music videos.

Comments and agreement from tutor-assessor Is the learner taking this project as part of the Diploma? If yes, which Diploma are they taking? ______________________________________________ Comments (optional): Yes/No

Is project derived from work which has been/will be submitted for another qualification? Which qualification (title and unit)? Comments (optional): _______________________________________________

Yes/No

I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another qualification and is appropriate. Agreed: (name) (date)

Comments and agreement from project proposal checker Comments (optional): I confirm that the project is appropriate. Agreed: (name) (date)