- Font, image and colour of the label
- Target audience
- Development and style of the era
Introduction:
Refer to title and record label companies that I am using
(Virgin Records, Capitol Music Group and Factory records)
Body:
- Discuss labels
- Link/influence my work
Conclusion:
Summary of what I have found
1000 - 3000 words
This essay will explore the different ways in which record label companies have used graphics to help promote their image/brand. For this I will be focusing on companies such as The Universal Music Group, Virgin EMI Records, Capitol Records and Factory Records, along with how these have influenced my record label project.
One record label company which I have researched into is the Universal Music Group. The Universal Music group is a one of the worlds largest music co-operations, which is home to the most iconic and influential labels & brands in music such as Abbey Road Studios, Capitol Music Group, Def Jam Recordings, Republic Records, Virgin EMI Records and many more. Universal is a conglomerate company which is made up of smaller business/record labels. It released its first record on July 1st, 1942 and has been a growing business ever since.
One record label that is owned by the Universal Music Group is "Capitol Music Group".
Overtime the Capitol logo has developed and changed its design to fit with the style of the era. When Capital first started up, the main logo design was always based around the "Dome logo" changing in size to fit with the colour and the style of any records released. For Capitol the "Dome logo" is their most famous and influential design. As Capitols company grew, the design slowly changed into a more up to date design featuring the companies "Target labels" covers. Although this design was more simplistic and colourful, not long after the "Dome logo" returned with a retro feel.
- In 1959, with the advent of stereo, Capitol changed its label design from a large "Dome logo" with a grey background, to a smaller "Dome logo" in a silver oval with a black background and a coloured band around the edge.
- At first the oval was on the top left side of the label, with a tapering vertical line extending from the top and bottom. in the early 1960s the oval was moved to the top of the label, while the colour band was made slightly narrower.
In 1969, Capitol modernised its logo and replaced its "Dome logo" with what became known as the "Target labels". Those were replaced in November 1972 by a usually orange label with the word "Capitol" printed at the bottom. And in 1978 the "Dome logo" returned, usually with purple backgrounds for rock and pop releases and red backgrounds for soul and disco.
Although the "Dome logo" is simplistic, it is also influential in a figure sense. The building used in the logo is based around the United States Capitol building, of which is home to the United States congress, and the seat of the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. As this building is an important figure to American citizens, the building shape and style is clearly influenced by Capitol and interpreted into their logo design. This design of logo helps to promote Capitols brand because of how influential the building outline is, so this logo helps to promote their image by showing authority and importance for the record label company.
From a personal point of view I like the "Dome logo" because of its simplistic but effective design. The only thing I didn't like about this logo is the colours, as though the colours could be more eye-catching and fit better with the music era. Further to this the "Dome logo" influenced the design of my record label logo "The Underground Project". As the main idea for my record label was based around the music and architecture of Manchester, I created a landscape outline with a collection of famous Manchester buildings and interpreted them into my logo design.
Another record label that is owned by the Universal Music Group is "Virgin Records".
Overtime the Virgin records logo has also developed and changed its design to fit with the style of the era. When Virgin first started up, the main record label design was always based around the logo of two women in a mirror image along with "Virgin" writing, just changing its colour to fit with the style of any records released. As Virgin's record label began to grow, the logo was then changed into a more simplistic and handwritten design. As time passed this logo was kept and modified to fit with the existing era. The handwritten logo became Virgins' most recognisable and iconic design, this is because of the font and style of the logo chosen. As the logo was based around a handwritten design, the record label added a more personal touch to any albums released by Virgin.
- Virgin records is a British record label founded by Richard Branson and Nik Powell in 1972. Branson and Powell had initially run a small record shop called Virgin Records and Tapes on Nottinghill gate, London; specialising particularly in "Krautrock imports and progressive rock music. After making the shop into a success, they turned their business into fully fledged record label.
- The original Virgin logo (known to fans as the Gemini or Twins logo) was designed by English artist and illustrator Roger Dean. A young naked woman in mirror image with a large long-tailed serpent and the word "Virgin" in Deans familiar script.
From a personal point of view, I like the handwritten "Virgin" because of its simplistic but effective design. Further to this the "Virgin" influenced the design of my record label logo "The Underground Project". As the main idea for my record label was based around the music and architecture of Manchester, I created a landscape outline with a collection of famous Manchester buildings and interpreted them into my logo design, by doing this I added the landscape outline with the title "The Underground Project" in a handwritten and quirky font.
In comparison to these worldwide records labels, is the record label company of "Factory Records".
Factory Records was a Manchester-based British independent record label, which started in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, and featured several noticeable musical acts such as Joy Division, New Order, A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, Happy Mondays and Northside. Factory Records used a creative team (most notably record producer Martin Hannett and graphic designer Peter Saville) which gave the label and the artists recording for it a particular sound and image. The label employed a unique cataloguing system that gave a number not just to its musical releases, but to artwork and other objects as well.
Most of Factory Records album cover designs were based around the music and architecture of Manchester, all sticking with a similar funky FAC-51 design. This company design helped to influence my logo and album designs as I wanted to embrace the music and architecture associated with Manchester. For my logo, I gathered together a selection of iconic Manchester buildings and created a simplistic landscape outline.
In conclusion, this essay has shown the different types of record labels and how they use graphics to promote their image, exploring why they have chosen their particular logo designs. With the record labels i have researched, I have found that the graphics used are often simplistic but still pleasing to the eye and represents their brand well.
How have record label companies have used graphics to promote their image/brand?
One record label company which I have researched into is the Universal Music Group. The Universal Music group is a one of the worlds largest music co-operations, which is home to the most iconic and influential labels & brands in music such as Abbey Road Studios, Capitol Music Group, Def Jam Recordings, Republic Records, Virgin EMI Records and many more. Universal is a conglomerate company which is made up of smaller business/record labels. It released its first record on July 1st, 1942 and has been a growing business ever since.
One record label that is owned by the Universal Music Group is "Capitol Music Group".
Overtime the Capitol logo has developed and changed its design to fit with the style of the era. When Capital first started up, the main logo design was always based around the "Dome logo" changing in size to fit with the colour and the style of any records released. For Capitol the "Dome logo" is their most famous and influential design. As Capitols company grew, the design slowly changed into a more up to date design featuring the companies "Target labels" covers. Although this design was more simplistic and colourful, not long after the "Dome logo" returned with a retro feel.
- In 1959, with the advent of stereo, Capitol changed its label design from a large "Dome logo" with a grey background, to a smaller "Dome logo" in a silver oval with a black background and a coloured band around the edge.
- At first the oval was on the top left side of the label, with a tapering vertical line extending from the top and bottom. in the early 1960s the oval was moved to the top of the label, while the colour band was made slightly narrower.
In 1969, Capitol modernised its logo and replaced its "Dome logo" with what became known as the "Target labels". Those were replaced in November 1972 by a usually orange label with the word "Capitol" printed at the bottom. And in 1978 the "Dome logo" returned, usually with purple backgrounds for rock and pop releases and red backgrounds for soul and disco.
Although the "Dome logo" is simplistic, it is also influential in a figure sense. The building used in the logo is based around the United States Capitol building, of which is home to the United States congress, and the seat of the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. As this building is an important figure to American citizens, the building shape and style is clearly influenced by Capitol and interpreted into their logo design. This design of logo helps to promote Capitols brand because of how influential the building outline is, so this logo helps to promote their image by showing authority and importance for the record label company.
From a personal point of view I like the "Dome logo" because of its simplistic but effective design. The only thing I didn't like about this logo is the colours, as though the colours could be more eye-catching and fit better with the music era. Further to this the "Dome logo" influenced the design of my record label logo "The Underground Project". As the main idea for my record label was based around the music and architecture of Manchester, I created a landscape outline with a collection of famous Manchester buildings and interpreted them into my logo design.
Another record label that is owned by the Universal Music Group is "Virgin Records".
Overtime the Virgin records logo has also developed and changed its design to fit with the style of the era. When Virgin first started up, the main record label design was always based around the logo of two women in a mirror image along with "Virgin" writing, just changing its colour to fit with the style of any records released. As Virgin's record label began to grow, the logo was then changed into a more simplistic and handwritten design. As time passed this logo was kept and modified to fit with the existing era. The handwritten logo became Virgins' most recognisable and iconic design, this is because of the font and style of the logo chosen. As the logo was based around a handwritten design, the record label added a more personal touch to any albums released by Virgin.
- Virgin records is a British record label founded by Richard Branson and Nik Powell in 1972. Branson and Powell had initially run a small record shop called Virgin Records and Tapes on Nottinghill gate, London; specialising particularly in "Krautrock imports and progressive rock music. After making the shop into a success, they turned their business into fully fledged record label.
- The original Virgin logo (known to fans as the Gemini or Twins logo) was designed by English artist and illustrator Roger Dean. A young naked woman in mirror image with a large long-tailed serpent and the word "Virgin" in Deans familiar script.
From a personal point of view, I like the handwritten "Virgin" because of its simplistic but effective design. Further to this the "Virgin" influenced the design of my record label logo "The Underground Project". As the main idea for my record label was based around the music and architecture of Manchester, I created a landscape outline with a collection of famous Manchester buildings and interpreted them into my logo design, by doing this I added the landscape outline with the title "The Underground Project" in a handwritten and quirky font.
In comparison to these worldwide records labels, is the record label company of "Factory Records".
Factory Records was a Manchester-based British independent record label, which started in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, and featured several noticeable musical acts such as Joy Division, New Order, A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, Happy Mondays and Northside. Factory Records used a creative team (most notably record producer Martin Hannett and graphic designer Peter Saville) which gave the label and the artists recording for it a particular sound and image. The label employed a unique cataloguing system that gave a number not just to its musical releases, but to artwork and other objects as well.
Most of Factory Records album cover designs were based around the music and architecture of Manchester, all sticking with a similar funky FAC-51 design. This company design helped to influence my logo and album designs as I wanted to embrace the music and architecture associated with Manchester. For my logo, I gathered together a selection of iconic Manchester buildings and created a simplistic landscape outline.
In conclusion, this essay has shown the different types of record labels and how they use graphics to promote their image, exploring why they have chosen their particular logo designs. With the record labels i have researched, I have found that the graphics used are often simplistic but still pleasing to the eye and represents their brand well.
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