OUGD601 - Synthesis

This graphic work supports my essay ‘How does graphic design communicate to different musical genres visually. The essay resolves that the examination of the evidence showed that through the development of aesthetic feelings, graphic design has been used historically by different musical genres to promote and communicate themselves. Past album covers, reveal how the hard and soft design elements, typography, compositions and images are used to convey the message behind any musical genre to their respective audiences.

My response to this was to design promotional material for the two genres R&B and techno but through consideration of layout and visual elements between the two ‘Drake & Green Velvet’

I chose to create a number of posters, flyers and tickets for current upcoming events to help promote rather than album covers, as they’re outdated. So by applying a more current trend to the overall promotion would show a journey from the design elements within the figures in the research such as ‘Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley 1986 & ‘Aaliyah 1996’. From the research gathered I was able to look into common features between the two genres. Techno tended to use bold typefaces and often applied kerning. Other elements such as lines were used to create guidance to the eye as well as separation of text. Techno tends to use mainly abstract, psychedelic aesthetics. With a dark mysterious feel to the images. In contrast the R&B design is more representational with a graffiti style to communicate an urban approach. The photography, effects and multiple typefaces were the main focus of bringing the material to life.

These visual communication types have been used to show how the different cultural crowds can empower themselves through music. The artworks from the two chosen musical genres was helpful in understanding how historical genres can visualise themselves to reach the right audience.

OUGD601 - Design Boards

Cop by Peter OC Daniels on Scribd

OUGD601 - Module Evaluation

The context of Practice has been a struggle but at least fairly enjoyable, to say the least. Learning about the importance of visual communication has made me very fond of my profession. To the routes of Egyptian history and how it has constructed language through hieroglyphics and symbols, to how certain visual aspects and art forms are used as a form of expression and communication. Which I was already aware of but having a much more in-depth approach on the subject has allowed me to gain useful knowledge which I could apply to future designs or promotional freelance work.

This Module has been highly enjoyable within the production aspect. My two final outcomes were constructed digitally to reflect the visual changes throughout graphic design and how technology has opened doors to capturing a more aesthetic look. Looking at the figures I researched into, at the time they were considered as good graphics although there wasn’t a strong conceptual connection towards the music and graphics in which there is now.

Throughout this module, I have developed an understanding of visual communication and in capturing certain audiences and in what elements are used to communicate each genre. I have always been interested in design work for events, as I’ve worked as an event manager & promotions since the first year. So basing my question on music and graphics has given me on the side work opportunities with venues.

Techno and R&B was helpful in understanding how historical genres can visualise themselves to reach the right audience. Techno album covers were reflective of the electrical dance and moving gestures to reflect the cultural context of dance-likers. In contrary, R&B has been using album covers for communicating its soft-spoken and melodious nature as musical genre. The practical experience with the study of art history research was helpful in exposing the different visual elements including images and typefaces in appealing the desired target market. Visual communication about music is very necessary for the present day audience since during the examination of past studies, (Chen & You, 2002; Salikhova, Safiullina, & Batyrshina, 2016; Saif, 2012; Seker, 2015),

Although this module has taken a lot longer than expected I feel I have executed a much better essay in comparison to the second year, my time management & lack of confidence was an issue to the point of me not seeking any help what so ever. This year I’ve seen support a lot more and after the bereavement in the family, my brother supported me massively with the extra help of tutoring me, as he is a qualified teacher. Overall I’ve gained a better understanding of formatting/structuring an essay by including triangulation throughout and understanding language something I struggled with in the second year.

The practical was done to a good standard, showing the connection between the dissertation & the practical through the use of promotional material within the R&B and Techno genre and the visual aspects used to differentiate the two genres. Having contacted ‘Mints promotions manager’ had given me the opportunity to design an upcoming event ‘Dirty Disco’ hosted by Green Velvet. As a whole, I’ve gained an eye for aesthetics and with communicating effectively towards the 2 audiences.

This project was helpful in shining my time management skills, theoretical analysis skills, practical skills, graphic design abilities and the capabilities to relate different musical genres with different types of musical images. This work was helpful in extended my individual knowledge both in theoretical as well as in practical contexts. The next chapter of the study contains the research conclusion.

OUGD601 - Drake - R&B Finals

Between the two different genres, you can see a major difference between the visual elements used within the promotional material. For R&B tend to use Photography of the artist & bold typography to appeal to the right audience.   




I've used a spot colour to catch the more vital information of the poster, using gold the reason being there tends to be a lot of 'gold & silver' money like typography within the research found. I wanted to step away from that particular style and bring a more appealing aesthetic look, considering the space within as well type. 

The tickets are simply the same as the poster but a different structure has been applied because of the landscape layout. I also wanted to make it different because people tend to keep tickets that attend these concerts, so it creates a more exciting feeling for fans. 

OUGD601 - Drake - R&B Poster Development

Throughout the development, I forced to capture the right typography & layout. Coolvetica didn't quite capture the right R&B look for it was more delicate & bubbly. 

The structure stayed the same but slight adjustments were made with kerning & the 'censored block' layout, eventually working with Futura Condensed Medium as others felt it captured that R&B style.

With the photography, I adjusted the opacity just so it didn't take too much attention before the info as the 'censored block' hides Drakes' face. So a lot of people may not pick up on it being him until they read 'Drake' 

The Spot colour Gold was inspired by most R&B designs as they tend to involve wealth & money within their album covers and Promotional material.