Coursework: Print brief research and planning
The Print aspect to our coursework brief is as important as the video work have been focusing on so far.
It is crucial that you research, plan and design print work that could comfortably hold its own alongside professional examples. You will also need to include a section regarding your print magazine work in your redrafted Statement of Intent. A reminder of our coursework brief is here, with the key tasks as follows:
The band is being featured in a documentary film on a streaming service such as Netflix about the history of pop bands. The film will look at examples of pop artists from the late 20th century (80s or 90s), early 21st century (00s or 10s) and the band you promoted for Task One represents contemporary pop. The documentary’s target audience are people of all ages who are interested in pop music.
Create three print billboard posters to promote this documentary. Each poster should use imagery to reflect one of the eras being focused on in the documentary to attempt to appeal to a broad age range. At least one poster should feature the band being promoted in Task One. The posters should be visually appealing and communicate the name and content of the documentary, its release date and how audiences can watch it.
What do you need to produce?
You should create three different billboard posters – specifically:
- engage the audiences as identified in the brief
- three original images across the three print adverts
- images created and chosen to appeal to the target audience
- appropriate layout, design and content choices relating to placement of the adverts
- consideration of font, type sizes and colours to create meaning
- consideration of the industrial context of production
The three print billboard posters targets all ages who are interested in pop music
Print brief - overall minimum requirements
- A clear house style should be used in the presentation of all pages
- A minimum of three original images should be included in the submission.
- Absolutely no use of AI in any way at all is permitted for the written elements of the print brief.
- Work should be presented on pages that are an appropriate size or in proportion to the size of paper used by billboard posters
We recommend that all of the above should be A3 landscape page size
Research and planning blog tasks
Create a blogpost called 'Print brief research and planning' and complete the following tasks to plan and prepare your print work:
Research tasks:
Look at the following billboard poster:
Now answer the following questions based on the poster above:
1. What historical moment in pop music does this documentary focus on, and why might that moment be significant for audiences interested in music history?
The documentary focuses on the recording of the charity song We Are the World in the mid 1980s. This moment is significant because it brought together many major pop artists at one time for a social cause. It shows how pop music could have global cultural impact.
2. How might the poster imagery communicate the era of the music being explored (e.g., 1980s)?
The imagery suggests the 1980s through studio microphones, headphones, and expressive singing poses. The illustrated style and bold colours also reflect the energetic and iconic feel of that era.
3. Who would be the target audience for this documentary and why?
The target audience is music fans who enjoy classic pop and music history. It would also appeal to viewers interested in famous collaborations and behind the scenes stories.
4. What visual codes (e.g., typeface, colour, style of photograph) would you expect on the poster to reflect the documentary’s focus on classic pop music history?
Visual codes would include bold but simple typefaces, warm and slightly faded colours, and stylised portraits rather than realistic photos. These choices reflect nostalgia and the historical nature of the subject.
5. How could promotional text emphasise both nostalgia and relevance to a modern audience?
Promotional text could reference a shared memory or a famous song while linking it to themes like unity that still matter today. This helps the documentary feel both nostalgic and relevant.
1. What themes and topics does This Is Pop explore based on its episode description (e.g., Auto-Tune, boy bands, festival culture)?
The series explores how different trends and ideas have shaped pop music, such as technology, fame, and youth culture. Episodes focus on topics like Auto Tune, boy bands, and live music events.
2. How might a billboard poster visually represent multiple facets of pop music history covered in this series?
A billboard poster could use a collage of different symbols like microphones, crowds, and studio equipment. This would show the wide range of pop music styles and moments covered.
3. This Is Pop is a series rather than a single documentary film—how might its poster need to differ in design from a single-film poster to communicate that?
As a series, the poster would need to suggest variety rather than one story. This could be done through multiple images or a layout that feels episodic.
4. What aspects of pop culture history might appeal to older audiences versus younger audiences?
Older audiences may be drawn to episodes about past decades and well known music movements. Younger audiences may enjoy topics linked to modern technology and current pop culture.
5. What visual elements could ensure the poster suggests that this isn’t just entertainment, but a music documentary with depth and exploration?
The poster could use serious photography, clear titles, and references to cultural impact rather than just celebrities. This would suggest analysis and depth as well as entertainment.
These two IMDb image links point to stills or frames from the same documentary series (This Is Pop.)
Compare the two different images from this series:
1. What different visual messages do they convey about pop music?
These convey messages of diversity and inclusivity by featuring different artists from different ethnicity, gender and eras. This also shows the mass appeal and reach of pop, while honing in on the importance of the artist's individual brand identity
2. How do these images reflect the diversity within pop music culture (different genres, artists, eras)?
The second image shows more older era artists, song references and bands (1950s-90s) which is reinforced by the featuring of the "Brill Building" which drove hits from the 1960s. The first image shows newer eras stemming from the 90's to the early 2000's
3. What emotions or associations do the images try to evoke in the viewer?
These intend to evoke nostalgia and admiration within the viewer due to the "vintage" and showcasing of commercial success.
4. If you were to extract design cues (pose, colour palette, style) from these stills for your billboard posters, what would you take and why?
I would take the line art aspect from the first photo and also the floating heads in the 2nd photo
5. How do the images relate to your understanding of representation and media language in music documentaries?
A lot of mix of high and low culture which links to theories of postmodernism The collage of faces and the central, explosive "THIS IS POP" title function as a way of conveying story in a very overt and expressive way.
2) Billboard Poster Research (Era Focus)
You must research THREE professional billboard or large-format posters, one from each era:
1. 1980s or 1990s pop artist promotion
2. 2000s or 2010s pop artist promotion
3. Contemporary (2018–present) pop artist promotion
These may include:
- Tour posters
- Album or single promotions
- Music documentaries
- Streaming platform music content (e.g. Netflix, Apple TV)
Choose artists that are clearly representative of each era.
3) Media Language Analysis
1980s/1990s pop artist promotion (Michael Jackson)
Layout & composition:
The layout uses a large central image of Michael Jackson that encompasses the frame, making it easy to recognise from a distance and establishing visual hierarchy. This reflects billboard conventions of the era, where star power was the main selling point.
Typography:
The “Thriller” typography is stylised and cursive in sans serif, suggesting movement and energy. The large font size ensures readability and reflects the dramatic pop branding of the 1980s.
Colour palette:
Bright, warm colours and high saturation create a glamorous and energetic feel. This reflects the excess and spectacle of 80s pop culture.
Imagery:
Confident pose and direct address construct him as a powerful performer. The blend of realism and fantasy (Tiger) reinforces his iconic star image.
Branding:
The artist himself is the brand, with no need for extra logos or platforms. This reflects an era where pop stars were marketed as global icons (star power).
Era reflection:
These choices reflect a period where pop music focused on spectacle, mass appeal, and strong visual identities built around individual superstars.
2000s/2010s pop artist promotion (Beyoncé)
Layout & composition:
The minimalist composition places Beyoncé centrally, creating a strong but controlled image. This simplicity reflects modern billboard design and focuses attention on her identity.
Typography:
The clean, sans serif font in all caps looks modern and confident. It allows the image to communicate meaning rather than relying on text.
Colour palette:
The monochrome palette suggests sophistication and artistic control. This marks a shift away from the bright commercial visuals of earlier pop eras.
Imagery:
Her powerful stance and obscured gaze communicate authority and mystery. This reflects a carefully curated star image.
Branding:
Only her name is included, showing she is recognisable without explanation. This reflects her established status in the industry.
Era reflection:
The design reflects a time where artists focused on authenticity, control, and high-fashion branding alongside music.
Contemporary pop artist promotion (The Weeknd)
Layout & composition:
A tight closeup creates strong emotional impact and suits digital platforms. The vertical framing reflects modern media consumption habits.
Typography:
Retro fonts mix nostalgia with contemporary design. This use of pastiche reflects postmodern influences.
Colour palette:
Red, black, and white create a bold and unsettling tone. The limited palette supports the album’s dark narrative.
Imagery:
The stylised injury and facial expression suggest an alter ego rather than realism. This presents identity as a performance.
Branding:
The album title is integrated into the visual storytelling. Branding is consistent across posters, videos, and performances.
Era reflection:
This reflects a modern era focused on cinematic storytelling, intertextuality and narrative.
4) Representation and Era Identity
Michael Jackson (1980s/1990s)
The poster represents Jackson as an untouchable global superstar, fixing meaning through glamour and spectacle (Stuart Hall). Fame is presented as aspirational and commercially powerful, reflecting mass-market pop culture.
Beyoncé (2000s/2010s)
Beyoncé is represented as strong, independent, and in control of her image. This reflects a music culture valuing authenticity, empowerment, and personal narrative.
The Weeknd (Contemporary)
The Weeknd is represented through an alter ego, showing identity as fluid and constructed. This reflects postmodern ideas of performance, pastiche, and remixing eras.
5) Audience Appeal
Michael Jackson (1980s/1990s)
The primary audience is a broad global pop audience. Nostalgia attracts older viewers, while iconic visuals and music appeal to younger audiences.
Beyoncé (2000s/2010s)
The core audience is young adults, especially women drawn to empowerment themes. Long term fans and modern aesthetics widen appeal across age groups, aligning with the documentary’s inclusive focus.
The Weeknd (Contemporary)
The primary audience is younger fans of modern R&B and pop. Retro references attract older audiences, helping the documentary appeal to all ages interested in pop evolution.
6) Streaming Services and Industry Conventions
Streaming services like Netflix use bold imagery and minimal text to quickly communicate genre and tone. Logos and release information are clearly placed, while designs remain simple to appeal to global audiences across platforms.
7) Application to Your Coursework
How will each era influence the design of your three billboards?
Each era will shape colour, composition, and imagery, from bold 80s visuals to minimalist 2010s design and conceptual contemporary styles. This helps clearly communicate different moments in pop history.
What visual codes will you use to differentiate eras?
Different colour palettes, typography styles, and image framing will signal each era. These codes allow instant recognition for audiences.
How will you maintain brand consistency across all three posters?
Consistent layout, logo placement, and documentary branding will link all posters together. This creates a recognisable campaign identity.
How will you promote your band from Task One as contemporary pop?
I will use modern branding techniques such as a strong visual narrative and consistent imagery across platforms. This reflects current pop marketing strategies.
What design skills do you need to develop before production?
I need to improve my typography choice, and colour control. These skills will ensure the posters clearly communicate meaning and era.
Planning and sketching
1) Plan the content for your first billboard poster:
- Title of the documentary film (must be NEW original mainstream music magazine you have invented):
- Name of streaming service the documentary will feature on
- Original image (the band you promoted for one of your TikTok music videos)
- Release date of the documentary
- Ways your billboard poster will represent the contemporary pop era
- Font style / colour scheme, additional design aspects:
2) Plan the three images you will use for the billboard posters - use the elements of mise-en-scene (CLAMPS). One image has to be the band you promoted in one of your TikTok music videos required to meet the minimum content in the brief.
Image 1: Will be a collage and mixture (1980s) with silhouettes. Will feature a grainy effect via post editting. Bold dark red and black (silhouettes) theme
Image 2: Minimalist style , line art. Monochrome. reflective of 2010s
Image 3: High quality shoot. Closeup of lead artist, less heavy effects/editing.
3) Research and select the font or typography you will use for your billboard posters. This is a critical element of your print work - the brief requires a consistent house style running through all of your pages.
4) Produce A4 sketches of your billboard poster designs and scan it/upload a picture to your blog.
5) Finally, create the pages in Adobe Photoshop or InDesign so you have the documents ready to go in terms of adding your text and images. This will need to include:
- A3 landscape
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