Every time you come across an album cover or band poster of your favorite artist, don’t you feel like humming a little or singing a line or two? If you are familiar with this feeling then understand that this is the power of adding visual elements to music which helps to create a long-lasting impression in listeners' minds. Starting from establishing a brand to creating an impact and piquing interest at first glance; the visual elements play a vital role in the careers of every music artist.
While a lot of music artists still think that graphic design services cannot help in music promotion, it is actually quite effective in garnering attention of the niche audiences. If you are new in the industry and not sure what kinds of graphic design work best for you; here are some common types of visual elements that are widely used in the music industry they work quite well when it comes to grabbing the attention of the potential listeners.
1. Logo Designs that Reflect Your Music
Whether it is a band or an individual artist, the power of logo works for all. Every music artist and group needs to constantly brand themselves in the market and a logo can help to keep up with the buzz. A logo is powerful, striking yet a small design that can be put anywhere like a watermark. It creates a seamless connection in your marketing approaches and helps listeners identify you instantly. Here are some tips to guide you,
• Genre-based Ideas – It is recommended not to take any genre-based decision that only provides more similarity. Try to think out of the box and be more unique.
• Expressive Typography – Clear and attractive fonts play a vital role in professional logos. Make sure to use expressive fonts that share your brand’s voice clearly.
• Use of Imagery and Symbols – Symbols and imagery can convey ideas and emotions. The right use of it can make it highly attractive, for example, The Guns n Roses.
• A Timeless Design – You want your musical journey to be long and successful. Therefore opt for a timeless design that you do not need to change with time.
2. Designing Print Ads for the Fans
Print ads are amazing. Whether you put it up on the Billboard on a digital platform, it can gather attention both in online mediums and offline. Creating memorable posters, ads, or flyers in order to promote an upcoming event or music release is a great way to build more anticipation among the fans. Focus on the following tips to create an attractive Print Ad,
• Typography matters a lot in case too and you need to opt for the right style and size of the font to ensure maximum impact. Make sure to keep the date, time, and venue clear and vivid.
• Offer the right energetic vibe by using expressive colors and symbols. Make sure it matches with your musical style as well.
• Using snaps of old concerts and live performances can create more anticipation.
• Darker and more vibrant backgrounds with lighter text overlay is a trendy style that can quickly grab the attention of the audience even at first glance.
3. Digital Ads and Social Media Posts
In order to churn out optimal results, music artists need to focus on digital advertisements as well as social media posts. Social media has become an integral part of every marketing strategy and the graphical elements are what help to get maximum engagement. Social media can help artists gain more followers and fans while expanding their reach across the world. When using graphical elements on social media or digital ads, make sure it is designed perfectly and offer an individual essence of your artistry. You can also follow a theme or any concept that helps to make your social media content and feed more soothing and captivating. Make sure to use these images as a medium to interact with the fans.
4. Cover Art Design Ideas
When people see a triangle and a rainbow on a black background, music lovers instantly think of Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ instead of a prism and experiment of light refraction from childhood. That is the power of having an iconic album cover that remains timeless even after decades. Single covers and album covers create a visual reminder in the listeners’ minds as they always see the cover images whenever they play a song.
In this digital landscape of modern times, unique cover art designs can be the ticket for you to stand out among the horde of other music artists. In 2020, 83% of the total revenue generated by the music industry in the USA was via online music streaming platforms only. The numbers have only gone higher with more artists emerging on the platform. Therefore, attractive cover art designs are a must for All.
5. An Element of Music Marketing
Visual elements can greatly help in digital marketing approaches and in this case, you can use multiple elements such as buttons, patches, stickers, or even printed graphic tees as the merchandise of your brand. Here are a few ideas that you can utilize,
• Establish brand guidelines with proper visual art styles and color schemes. It helps the fans recognize your brand better.
• You can use posters and info-graphic images to share CTA for the fans along with contact details. These kinds of graphical elements can create more buzz.
• Add your official logo everywhere; whether it is banners, posters, and billboards
• Other than focusing on your music and style of creation; you should also focus on your fans to offer them a special feeling of being included.
Concluding Thoughts
Evidently, the graphical elements play a huge role in every music artist's career. However, it is not possible for an emerging artist to invest all of their time in graphics when they need to focus on their music. It is recommended to hire a professional agency that offers graphic design services for music artists.
