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number of posters, flyers and tickets for current upcoming events to help promote rather than album covers, as they’re outdated.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.