Evaluation Question 2:

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

As well as the music video, we produced 2 ancillary products; a digipak and website for the band. These products all follow a theme of colour, font, etc. to follow the codes and conventions of the genre as the video does. The links between the digipak and website are clear to represent the bands style, reflecting the music and conforming to the genre. They are used to promote the bands image and music to the audience by displaying similar conventions of other alternative-rock media products.

The website is a good media product to use to promote the band. It allows the audience to interact with the band, keeping them up to date with the latest news of the band and other information. Social network is a key feature of the communication between the band and their fans. We decided on a simple grey-scale colour theme for the website as it reflects the bands genre and the dark/deep emotions which are portrayed through the lyrics in their songs. The grainy texture and low-quality look is the style we were going for as it represents the alternative-rock genre which is associated with a grimy culture of unkempt young adults which is presented in the video.

Our logo is also grey and white so that it fits in with the colour scheme and style of the other products. The font is simple but bold, representing the loud rock music as capital letters often symbolise shouting.

The digipak also follows the same theme of grainy/low-quality materials. The conceptual images represent the messages/emotions presented through the songs. The dull colours conform to the alternative-rock genre stereotype which is presented in the music video through the clothing and dreary setting of the narrative.

The self-titled album promotes the band as well as keeping the cover simple and focusing on the name. The font matches the logo (which is found on the banner of the website) and also the track-list on the back so that it is clear to the audience that each of the products belong to the band.

The inserts of the digipak continue the greyscale theme of the website. We decided not to make the digipak completely greyscale so the cover/back-cover has some colour so that it is noticeable. The font is continuous throughout the digipak and website to show the clear link.