The group I have decided to research is made up of two members, Stuart McMillan and Orde Meikle better known as SLAM. Slam is one of the most successful techno acts to come out of Glasgow and this year has been one of their biggest yet as their record label, Soma Records, marks its 20th anniversary. I have seen Slam on many occasions and have had some of the best nights of my life at their gigs. Their music is a mixture of house and techno and tends to be very deep. Slam is always pushing electronic music to its limit and trying to create something new and this is what attracts me to their music and is the feeling I want to create within my poster.
Due to Slam having such a big reputation they have secured four main residencies in the UK, where they can be seen on a fairly regular basis and this is the information my poster contains. The residencies that Slam has secured represent a huge achievement as the clubs and events are known world wide throughout the electronic music scene. The poster gives the viewer information on when Slam’s residency began and when it changed name and also relates this to what I have described as the club being “born” or in other words when the club opened. I described the club as being born because clubs such as The Arches, Sub Club and Fabric are known and kept alive through the lovers of electronic music and the techno scene. I see the electronic music scene as if it is a living thing, full of life, energy and euphoria. It is a place I have grown to love and follow.
The design of my poster portrays the electronic music and Slam as an artist. The dark background is there to give the poster a deep feeling like the music that Slam creates. The grey grid of the map is to portray the lines and grids on which techno music is produced and the vibrant colours are there to suggest the electronic beats the music has within it. The poster also hints towards where the DJs originate, as the two main residencies are found in Glasgow, closely followed by their residency, of not only playing at T In The Park, but also curating the Slam tent, which is found in Scotland as well. The coloured shapes are used to point out on the map where the clubs can be found. The type used for the heading is Helvetica Bold. I decide to use bold sans-serif fonts as they are typically found on their gig posters and flyers. The use of white in the title makes it stand out and creates hierarchy as the viewer reads the subheading of “in the UK” after the title “SLAM”. I have also included a typeface called Luggage Tag, which is made up of blocks in a grid format. I used this typeface as it reminds me of an equalizer which is found on a mixer within a DJ’s setup and can also be found on some of Slam’s EP releases.
Overall the poster portrays the scene, sound and feeling which Slam have created and could be recognized by others who are interested in electronic music. I think the bright colours combined with the black background would also interest people who don’t already follow the techno scene and make them want to read more.
Your info-graphic communicates the type of music SLAM create really well, particularly through your use of colour and the grid used over the UK. Your font choice also communicates the electronic feel really well!
ReplyDeleteI like this, the font and colour choice both communicate the style of music very well. It definitely draws the viewer in. The only thing is, someone that wasn't familiar with UK cities might not know where each venue is. Maybe if city name was included? I'm not sure if this is necessary though, was just a thought.
ReplyDeleteAs usual Jamie, showing us all up with your work!! Al start with the imagery, i really like how you have made everything feel 3D, it is really clever with the system you have devised for the times the bands have played there gigs at the venues - the cuts into the blocks work well and i like how you have reversed the colours to lead the eye to the appropriate information. The colours of the four main venue blocks is very representative of the band and there music style, bright bold and in your face. The font choice i find very clever as it looks (hard to explain) electronic and almost robotic - showing the idea of electronic style of music. Very good mate, and as usual up early. Dammit man!! :)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all Jamie, your rational was great to read I could really see you have a passion for this group and have learned interesting facts i.e. I was at T in the Park this year and was in the Slam tent and had no idea about its origins. The imagery of this info-graphic is great because it clearly communicates the essence of SLAM. The colours and 3-D effects you have chosen to use only enhances this. The overall style looks like something from that genre of music and is something I could imagine advertising SLAM events. You have communicated a lot of data in this info-graphic but it isn't confusing. Only critique I have, which is kinda just repeating what Kyle said, if someone wasn't familiar with the UK would they know on the map where the venues are ? Maybe in your key on the left rather than just saying "The Arches" possibly putting Glasgow in there too ?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Michelle, after reading your rationale you can clearly see your passion for this group and their style of music, which really helps someone who is viewing it become interested in the group and makes them want to find out more. Your design clearly portrays the style and feel of the group through your choice of colours, fonts and 3D shapes, the line detail on your map and by making that 3D as well also emphasises this. The only thing is I was not sure at first what the yellow shapes on the map were until I read your key, I would also like to have known where these places are as well. Apart from that I really like your design and it has also got me interested in finding out more about Slam.
ReplyDeleteYou have definitely captured the bands vibe extremely well. I could tell straight away what they were all about without even looking at the rational first. I love the 3D effect, it emphasises the energy and buzz they seem to portray. I also think the colour choices were a good idea, it certainly catches your attention and again portrays the style of the band really well.
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