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ARGO FOX

Argo Fox is a house DJ who produces music for rave / dance lovers ranging between the ages of 18 to 30. Reality the album has been specifically released alongside the new VR game, Vinyl Reality. The album will allow users to have a wide variety of tracks to explore.  

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FINAL PRODUCTS

POSTER

CD

INLAY

BACK COVER

BOOKELT 

VIDEO

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What could i do better?

Things I could of improved on:

Tumblr wasn't kept on top of as much as it has been in other project, a few posts had to be caught up on towards the end of the project once the shoots were all done. 

Complete more test shoots of the portrait shots, only the product images for lots of testing. 

Collaborate with a film crew or video editor to make the video professional.

Purchase a steady cam holder to allow for smooth shots when filming. 

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The Journey

What I Did. 

To begin the project, I was a little lost, I was unsure of a small specific target audience I could reach out to. I started of my research with a very open mind, I started looking at different music genres and mediums. I looked at vinyl, tapes, CD’s and online images to gain an idea of what sort of thing I would be creating and what’s already out there. I knew I wanted to create something crazy and club based for the film, but was unsure of how to create it, I decided to create a brainstorm. It is from this that I went down the route of reality and the “unknown” from this I come across a new virtual reality game called Vinyl Reality.

When given the brief we were told to think about trends and what could be the biggest thing, the game is currently on early access, you can see more info on the game here: http://vinyl-reality.com. The game is currently on early access meaning it is already a new hype, it’s not something that has already been and gone. This got me thinking, what about Vinyl Reality Pro Edition? This is where my artist comes in, Argo Fox is going to produce the soundtrack for the second edition of the game which will be for professional so instead of learning to DJ it will be set in a club and have fast, upbeat music, and professional environment that a DJ would experience.

After conducting the research, I was pleased and felt like I had a strong bold idea which isn’t going to have been done. Now I had my idea, it was time to conduct some DJ related research, I looked at different DJ’s and the way they had captured or portrayed themselves. I also looked at different music promotional photography and different styles that had been used. Before I started shooting anything I wanted to have a good strong idea in mind as to what I would be producing for the booklet. I wanted to conduct a few different shoots in order to produce the images for the booklet, I wanted to capture the VR equipment and the DJ equipment in the booklet, I wanted to show both sides. This means I would be doing more product photography. I also planned to conduct a shoot in the studio with a male model to get some portrait images.

I carried out a few shoots with the DJ decks, I used professional DJ decks which I was able to get my hands on, I was very lucky to be able to use them as it made the shoot look more professional. I conducted a test shoot to see how the decks looked without any extra lighting and it wasn’t great, I knew I needed to add some coloured or tinted lights in order to make the set up look more realistic and professional. I conducted three different shoots with decks, this was so I could get all the different angles and shots needed. I also conducted two shoots with the VR equipment, I knew I wanted this to be on a plain white background, it was just a case of getting the composition and lighting right.

The studio shoot with the male model went really well I got a wide variety of shots for the primary image and I also filmed loads of extra clips getting a wide range of footage. I got two different opportunities to film at different locations which I was pleased about, I got these secured as early as I could so that I knew I had something to put in the video. The filming was hard as I’m not great at it, but after seeking advice from a former film graduate and friend I knew a little more and felt comfortable filming in a club environment. When it came to edit the video I felt more confident, I like editing, I find it quite fun. Again, I’m not professional at editing videos together, I’m more a photo and retouhcer but I gave it my best shot.

Graphics was my down fall on the project, I had to conduct a little more research in order to gain ideas. I also spoke to Emily who is a WIZZ at photoshop, she helped me think and design of some graphics for my primary image. This was a massive help and gave my project the professional looking push it needed. I feel this is where my project become an artist promo instead of just images. Once I had the basic theme and graphics I was using for the project I found it easier to complete the rest of the templates. I had a running theme that I could translate to each different side.

Printing was something I was stressed about, I wanted to ensure I had enough time to get everything printed and have enough time to finish up everything else and even re print if needed. The printing shop I went to was extremely helpful and made sure that everything was okay. The shop even mounted the poster for me and placed everything in the CD.

Once I had everything printed off it was time to make sure that all my Tumblr, submissions and details were complete and up to date.

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Re-Printing CD

I test printed the CD at home, although it was good I found a printing shop that also printed on CD’s so I thought id take full advantage and have it reprinted so it was of better quality. 

Below are you can see both CD’s.

The CD on the left is the one from the printing shop, you can see that the colouring is a lot more dominant and clear. The one I printed, on the right, looks a fit faded. 

I am glad I test printed as it allowed me to see what it looked like and how it fitted but the reprint is a lot better and I am pleased with the final result.

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Test Print of Inlays

OPTION 1

Option 1 if my favourite, I think this works in all aspects. from the front, with the CD, without the CD, next to the booklet, it all come together nicely and works well. 

the only thing that makes me doubt is the gradient. it isn't clear / smooth. After speaking to the printers, they say its the way the gradient falls when its black its hard to make a smooth transition. I will be re printing to see if I can improve. 

OPTION 2

I did like this option, however it didn't look correct that the same image was next to one another, on the back of the CD booklet and under CD. I feel like looked lazy and like there wasn't anther choice of image. 

I also didn't like the black CD on the black background, I want something extra and something to intrigue the viewer when opening the CD case.

OPTION 3

I liked this colour gradient, it all fits well with the cd and the booklet. I think it all goes great and it sticks to the colour theme whilst brightening it up a bit. 

However I didn't think from the front of the cases perspective as It was white in the binder (as shown Below)

this made the case look unfinished and not professional.

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Inlay Designs

I created a few options to see what I liked best within the case together. I will be test printing all of these in order to see what I like best. 

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The Back Cover

My first attempt at a back cover wasn't very successful, I wasn't pleased with the results and it was poor. After researching into posters and graphic I now have a running theme so I will create this on the back of the CD case. 

Starting with the same logo shape that I have used throughout. In this I aim to place test and centre the back cover around this. 

From this I then added the track list and artist name. As you can see the triangles went over the artist name, this is something I will have to sort out as I want it to be like the front cover where the triangle goes underneath. 

I also added the title of the Album. I was unsure on the positioning so payed around with it a little. 

I also added the music record label and the terms and conditions you usually see on the back of a CD. 

FINAL BACK COVER

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Social Media Templates

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

iTUNES

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Final CD Layout

Test Print @ Home

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Test Print on CD

I brought myself some supplies in order to allow me to test print on to a CD. 

I have a printer at home so this is an easy way of test printing. I also brought CD cases to present the work. 

In order to print I brought the following items:

CD Stickers 

CD Cases

Sticker Applicator 

CD’s

I printed the design on to one of the CD’s in order to see if I liked the idea. 

It worked well and I did like it however the printing quality isn't high enough, I will defiantly need to go to a professional printers to get it done. I also think the CD needs to have font on it. 

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The CD

I did know what I wanted to put on the CD, I knew I didn't want a full on image. I wanted something more to do with graphics and the designing of the graphics for the project. 

I started to have a think. I knew I wanted a dark colour. So I stated off with Black. 

I then went and added the same graphics from the primary image on to the CD. 

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THE FINAL VIDEO

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Editing the Video

How to end the video.

I ended the video with multiple shots of the decks and DJ, but I wanted to make it more interesting. 

After having a place around with the effects and googling tutorials I found a call effect the plays around with the colour gradient of the clips. Using this along side layering different clips on top of each other I was able to create a call effect. 

stills are shown below, but all will be revealed in the final video! 

I also added text at the end just so it was clear what album it was promoting, incase people didn't know or are not familiar with the artist and his music. 

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Editing the Video

As well as creating the Poster and other medias. I have been editing the clips together when I can. When editing them I have tried to ensure I sticked tot he beat to make the video look professional. 

I decided to use the footage from the first filming venue as it was more rave like and fitted the artist more. 

Now I have edited all of the clips together it is time to see what I can do to make it look more professional and interesting. 

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Finishing the Poster

DJ posters are usually quite busy is what I have discovered from my research so I didn't want to leave the poster as just the graphics at the top.

I added extra graphics along the bottom of the poster to make it seem more real and professional. 

I also added “OUT NOW” in order to give away that it is a promotional poster. 

I am please with the way the final product as come out. I am grateful to Emily for helping me with Photoshop and helping me think more creatively. 

I am so pleased I carried on thinking and didn't go with the first plain idea as compared to this its PANTS! 

I am very pleased with my final result!

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Fitting the Templates

I have now added the artist name and title to the primary image. 

Before I go any further I wanted to make sure that it looks good in both the poster and the CD. I have  placed them how I feel they look good and below are the results for both. 

THE POSTER

THE CD