Aim To investigate how designers visually represent and communicate music.

Findings be documented and showcased in the form of a magazine publication. Objectives 1. Further my knowledge of the music industry. (Understand the designer and label/musician relationship). 2. Investigate the history of design for music. (Record covers, festivals, etc). 3. Research the emergence of current festivals and events such as Vodafone NZ Music Awards, Rhythm and Vines, Big Day Out. (Critique why the events are successful and how design plays its part in the overall success and atmosphere of the festival or event). 4. Research into various existing magazine publications which show interest in music. (Interviews, album reviews, festival advertising, etc). 5. Examine record and album covers, packaging and music videos to gain a visual understanding of how music can be visually transformed.

Intentions & Outcomes Through research I am looking to understand the language of designers when it comes to interpreting and representing music. Understanding their process and thinking is important and How they go about creating their vision for the music single, album or music festival or event. My research has me exploring interviews of musicians and designers. Stepping out of my comfort zone to conduct interviews and create a system in which keeps the interview flowing and gets the designer talking and giving answers that generate interest or learning for me and ultimately giving the target audience insights into the designer/art director for music process. Research central to my SP6 project. Sagmeister & musician Lou Reed, David Carson & Ray Gun Magazine, Barnbrook & David Bowie, photographer Mark Smith & musician Neil Finn. Typography, texture, collage and photography are used to capture the visual diversity of music. I hope to explore some of these methods when creating the finished magazine publication.

HOLLIE SMITH | 1346530 | STUDIO PRACTICE 6

Economical Context
Physical copies of music; albums, records - act as a art

Historical Context
Past examples of successful music events. History of Raygun Magazine. Why it is so successful? How

piece or collectable.
The shift to digital- How has the digital age effected the

David Carson created the mag and aesthetics behind it.

Does history inform the design/art direction of music albums

music industry? Is it seen as more economical (giving good value or return in relation to the money, time, or effort expended)? Does buying an album via itunes come down to convenience rather than going out to buy the physical copy of the album as a collectable. Is there now more importance on the music video?
The economics of making music (http://www.bearshare.com/

and music videos today?

economic-of-music.html) Social Context

The importance of designs relationship to music. Insights

into the designer/art director for music process.

Music and visual artists crossing the borders into each

others mediums. Creating an experience- Jay Z Picasso Baby: Preformance Art Film (www.youtube.com/ watch?vxMG2oNqBy-Y)
How does the positioning of the visuals for large scale music

events extend the presence of the artists?

HOLLIE SMITH | 1346530 | STUDIO PRACTICE 6