Print brief research and planning

 Research tasks:

1)  Billboard poster research:

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 greatest night in pop documentary focuses on the chaotic and collaborative all-night recording session of the 1985 charity single "We are the world". It uses previously unseen archival footage and recent interviews with participants like Lionel Richie and Bruce Springsteen to detail how dozens of the era's biggest music stars came together for one night to raise funds for African famine relief. 

2. How might the poster imagery communicate the era of the music being explored (e.g., 1980s)?

The poster incorporates artists from the 80s which therefore creates a sense of nostalgia for the audience.

3. Who would be the target audience for this documentary and why?

The target audience for this documentary would be middle aged people  because it focuses on popular artists from the 80s.

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?

vibrant colours, over saturation, bold 

5. How could promotional text emphasise both nostalgia and relevance to a modern audience?

It reintroduces legacy visuals, such as original 1980s studio footage and vintage typography. It Frames the event not just as history, but as an inspiration for current artists to realize their power to make a global difference.

This Is Pop on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81050786

(This Is Pop is a documentary series exploring different influences and trends in pop music.) 

Watch the following trailer for the documentary series: 

Now answer the following questions based on the trailer: 

1. What themes and topics does This Is Pop explore based on its episode description (e.g., Auto-Tune, boy bands, festival culture)? 

It explores the history and cultural impact of the music industry through a thematic lens. Each episode focuses on a specific "musical ingredient," exploring both the artistic and business sides of the industry.

2. How might a billboard poster visually represent multiple facets of pop music history covered in this series?

There can be symbolic icons near the artists, different typography with changing font styles in order to represent that era.

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?

You can include episode subtitles or a "chapters" style list under the title, which is rarely seen on single-film posters.

4. What aspects of pop culture history might appeal to older audiences versus younger audiences?

different instrumental, fashion, poses, accessories

5. What visual elements could ensure the poster suggests that this isn’t just entertainment, but a music documentary with depth and exploration?

images of different artists with their name underneath, review from trustworthy resource

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?

It categorises pop through certain artists

2. How do these images reflect the diversity within pop music culture (different genres, artists, eras)?

Different age groups, variety of races

3. What emotions or associations do the images try to evoke in the viewer?

Black and white photos of artist and bright colours surrounding them on poster - conveys the era of music

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?

Bold typography, bright colours on poster

5. How do the images relate to your understanding of representation and media language in music documentaries?

Mise-en-scene

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 

For each billboard poster, analyse how visual design communicates meaning and appeals to its audience.

You should analyse:

• Layout & composition
  (scale, hierarchy, central image, simplicity for roadside viewing) - there's minimal background detail, central full-body group image dominating the frame, band's name is largest in comparison to the group image

• Typography
  (font style, size, era connotations, readability) - chunky bold typography, bubble-like font reflecting 90s pop aesthetics, era connotations: fun, loud, commercial pop dominance

• Colour palette
  (neon, muted, monochrome, saturation and era signifiers) - Bright, saturated colours, high contrast for instant visual impact, 

• Imagery
  (pose, gaze, styling, realism vs performance) - direct address, all wearing suits

• Branding
  (logos, streaming platforms, consistency) - Strong logo presence, commercial synergy between music and cinema

4) Representation and Era identity

Explain how each poster represents:

• The artist - Fame as spectacle and personality branding

• The music culture of the era - Highly commercialised pop

Consider:

• Fashion and styling - each artist is wearing clothing that is representative of that era where they also use images and fonts to convey that era.

• Youth culture vs nostalgia -  youth culture dominates, but nostalgia now makes the imagery appealing to older millennials.

• Authenticity vs commercialisation - creating a new identity in order to brand an artist

Apply at least one theory, such as:

Postmodernism (nostalgia, pastiche, remixing eras) - a sense of nostalgia might be evoked from an older audience that are appealed by this

5) Audience appeal

For each era-based poster, explain:

• Who the primary audience is: teenagers

• How it may also appeal to other age groups: other mainstream song listeners

• How nostalgia is used to attract older audiences: nostalgia appeals to 30-40-year-olds who grew up with the group, aligning with cross-generational documentary aims

• How modern design elements attract younger audiences: through the use of different fonts and images

6) Streaming services and industry conventions

Research how streaming services (e.g. Netflix) promote music documentaries.

Analyse:

• Common visual conventions (minimal text, strong imagery): Netflix logo on the bottom of the poster, name of band usually larger than image of the artist/group, bold typography, brand identity/logo, release date

• Use of logos and release dates: streaming service on bottom, release date on the bottom, brand logo 

• How platforms communicate where and how to watch: provide a release date along with the streaming service that audiences can use to watch

• How global audiences affect design choices : different languages

You may refer to:

• Netflix documentary posters

• Online promotional materials

• Billboard adaptations of streaming campaigns

7) Application to your coursework

This section must directly link your research to your final production.

Answer the following:

• How will each era influence the design of your three billboards? there'll be different use of fonts, colours and images depending on the era, for example, a 80s billboard poster would have more neon/bright colours along with bold accessories.

• What visual codes will you use to differentiate eras? different fashion, makeup, hair, colours

• How will you maintain brand consistency across all three posters? by using a brand logo

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): 'Rhythms of a Revolution'
• Name of streaming service the documentary will feature on - Netflix
• Original image (the band you promoted for one of your TikTok music videos) : 'Moonchild'
• Release date of the documentary: 31/03/26
• Ways your billboard poster will represent the contemporary pop era: good camera quality, minimalist background, close-up or mid-shot
• Font style / colour scheme, additional design aspects: bold sans-serif font, metallic/chrome, 

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.

80s: bold, bright colours, sarcastic expressions, excessive accessories, 

contemporary: good camera quality, minimalist background, close-up or mid-shot

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. bold sans-serif font

 

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 

 

Photoshoot

1) Who do you need to photograph for your billboard posters? Remember, you need three original images across the whole print production. Gurleen and me

2) What camera shots do you need? Write a shot list or draw a storyboard for your photoshoots. Make sure you plan a variety of camera shots you will look to capture - medium shots, close-ups etc.

3) Plan the mise-en-scene. What costume, props or make-up will you require for your photoshoots?

comedic 80s accessories, bold, bright clothing

4) Finally, note down the time and date for your photoshoots. This may be inside or outside school (or a combination of both). You will have Media lesson time for this after the mock exams.

this week and next week

Statement of Intent

1) Once you have completed your print research and planning, go back to your statement of intent and make sure you have included the print brief in your final draft. Then, submit the final draft statement of intent to your teacher. The due date for this will be confirmed by your coursework teacher.