Having presented my proposal to Richard, Simon and a small group of peers I was given the feedback that I need more theoretical research, and a couple of publications were suggested that could be useful for my main source of research.
I am quite aware at the minute that I have to do some intense relevant research over the next couple of weeks to help structure my written element, and I also have to concentrate on preparing and recording my primary research tasks to help give me some facts and figures to work with.
I was also given a really interesting suggestion for my practical element, instead of creating a series of fake bands and branding them to gather reactions between visual and audio.
I should actually properly brand one fake band in the real world, and actually see if i can get fans for a band that doesn't exist. I would create the visual identity and theme for the branding and after having done research on promotional materials, I will be able to apply the designs to these formats and see if ultimately i can promote a free gig and see if I can get people to turn up without ever listening to the music of the band.
The topic I initially proposed at the beginning of the summer was to be a continuation of my CoP2 essay question and practical element
- 'What creates a successful logo?'
- 'The Psychology of logos'
However, over the summer when trying to do extended research on this topic, i came to the conclusion that I would probably find it quite difficult to confidently write another 6000 - 9000 words on this subject without repeating what I said in CoP2 and also boring myself.
For this reason I have decided to use elements of what I learnt last year and applying it to another one of my major interests, which is music and the music industry.
Therefore I have come up with the proposal topic / question
- 'How can a strong visual identity influence the success of a band / artist in today's commercial music industry.'
I am purely going to concentrate on the visual elements that band / artists have at there disposal and can control to influence their target audience.
- Logo
- Themed stages / sets (live)
- Promotional Materials
- Clothing labels
- Music Videos
- Album Artwork
- Artists merchandise
- Outfits/ Fashion
I will be looking at both strong examples of visual identities that help promote the artist as a brand as a whole as well as weaker example which don't seem to utilise the visual elements of their brand and compare their success.
I plan to do a series of primary research tasks which will hopefully help me understand more how an artists visual identity can effect their success and even if in some cases the visual element supersedes the musical element.
- Surveys
- Photo Journal
- Email interviews
- Questionnaires
Practical element
I want to synthesize both the theoretical and practical sides of this project so I don't really want to create another self brand guide for up and coming musicians or people learning how to successfully brand themselves. as their is already a lot of books / guides about this written by people who have spent a life time developing their knowledge.
However their seems to be no literature written about how to create a strong visual identity for an individual which would support them as a music brand, written from a designers perspective. It all seems to be written by PR and marketing professionals, who are explaining how artists should promote themselves as a whole to gain success in the music industry.
I would like to produce something a little more unique as well as be able to apply what I have learnt throughout this project.
The idea I will take to the CoP3 proposal presentation.
- Visually branding a series of fake bands
My idea is to take 4 unknown songs and create 4 fake artists / bands and visually brand in 2 different styles, some with a strong visual identity which is consistent and really sums up the band as a whole and then another which has a weak or no visual identity at all and gather feedback and information to see how people respond to both the visual and audio elements to see what is more important or if one can influence another in today's commercial music industry.
This would be an interesting take to undertake as in today's Xfactor society it seems that talent at music has very little to do with an individuals success in the industry. It comes across that most people (especially younger female generations) care more about what the members of a band look like and how they present themselves as a brand more than the actual musical talent.
