
2 minute read
Logo. Image. Colour. Typography
from Research Report
All crucial elements to any brand when building a visual identity. From the fashion industry to social media platforms, a strong visual strategy is crucial in supporting a brands story, helping target consumers identify and relate to a company.
When creating a successful visual identity there are 5 questions to consider:
Advertisement
1. Is it appropriate for my target audience?
2. Is it different, recognisable, and memorable?
3. Will it stay relevant?
4. Can it be used across a variety of assets? (Digital, Print, Fashion etc...)
5. Does it communicate the brands core values and brand story?
Overall, when we look at the most successful examples of branding in multiple industries we think of Nike, Apple, Coca Cola, the list goes on, and the reoccurring themes are simple, yet effective, revolutionary, yet timeless, and unique, yet adaptable.
Dribble - Renee Fleck om/stories/2020/07/21/visual-identityfor-digital-products
(Jul 21, 2020) https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2015/03/barney-bubbles-feature
So, what is the importance of visual identity in rock music and how has the evolution influenced me and other designers?
As a graphic designer creating a visual identity and branding has always been something I’ve enjoyed learning about and taken an interest in, inside and outside of my studies at university.
For a while now I’ve worked with a band started by my brother, creating album art, logos and concepts which took my interest in branding to another level as I started to explore the importance of identity in the music industry. Throughout the second part of this project where I’ve had to design a publication based off the brand guidelines I’ve created for them, I’ve really learnt the importance of creating a story to go along with the artist, as in the music industry talent will only get you so far, but it’s your image that keep people engaged. By doing this, I started to notice similarities and differences in branding in fashion, technology and food companies compared to music which inspired me to pick this theme for my research report.
Not only do I have a strong interest in branding, but I have also always used music as a source of inspiration in my graphic design work, informing the way my personal style has developed. As well as design, I studied classical music, so I’ve always had an interest in the technicalities of music, however my personal music tastes sit more within 80s rock, alternative, indie and funk styles. Due to this, I find a lot of inspiration from the juxtaposition of styles, whether this be mixing contrasting typefaces, colour, or combination of imagery. This has inspired me to research into this more, and specifically understand where styles in rock have come from, and why they are so important in the development of branding within the music industry.

Someone who is not only one of my biggest design inspirations but also helped revolutionise design within the rock industry is Barney Bubbles. His eclectic, advent-garde style, pushed boundaries and incorporated bold typography, collage, and surreal imagery. He is most well known for his collaborations with artists Elvis Costello and Ian Dury, creating striking album covers and other promotional materials inspiring countless generations of designers to think outside the box. He is such an important reference for me, as his work exemplifies what branding in rock is, and how I became interested in the topic for this research report.
(Mar 13, 2015) https://www.creativereview.co.uk/design-genius-barney-bubbles-book/
(Jan 19, 2022)
