Use of Moftif's / Logo's

Motif: "a dominant, reoccurring idea in an artistic work."
Logo: "a symbol or another small design adopted by an artist to identify it's products"

Artists and bands use motifs as a way of branding and commercialising themselves as well as using it as mechanism for them to become recognised globally  and build a loyal fan base because audiences are able to recognise a logo no matter where in the world they are or what language they speak. These logos are used on almost everything to do with the band, it can be seen on things like:

• merchandise, e.g. t-shirts, wristbands, hoodies
• new-release posters
• albums
• drum kits
• music videos

One example of band that uses their logo as a motif is 'The XX'. The way that this band use their logo as a motif is effective because it creates continuity and fluidity throughout all of their albums, songs and merchandise which allows the band to become a product that their fans can buy into thus commercialising the band.



Throughout their music video for the song 'Islands' their logo, which is the letter 'X' as this a direct link to the name of the band, is used differently a total of 5 times. It is used effectively in this music video because it is prominent however it doesn't distract from the main focus of the video which is the choreography which is performed by the dancers. They use it creatively though because when they want to make it the main image in the shot they are able to do so like in picture 5 where they have added the flames so that it looks like their logo is on fire and draws the audiences eye immediately to it.

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