Analysing a music poster

GCSE Media Studies

Why analyse Music posters?

The music industry uses visual media as a key part of its marketing strategy.

The history of popular music is full of artistes who were promoted as much for their image as their musical talent-just look at Lady Gaga.

How important is the image of an artiste? The visual message of a band or singer

communicates important messages to the audience.

Audiences often associate the look of an artiste to a style of music

Some audiences idolise bands and singers, and see them as sex symbols and fashion icons.

Music posters

Music posters are a common component of any marketing strategy.

They appear on billboards, as fly-posters, on buses, in calendars and on bedroom walls.

Iconic images have helped retain the popularity of existing and legendary artistes

Iconic images

Analysing a music poster

All popular music posters are about promotion. They fall into three main categories

Promotion of a single or album release Promotion of a tour or live appearance General fan posters of an artiste or band

Single Poster Tour poster Fan poster

Analysing a music poster

Music posters are carefully constructed to communicate certain messages about the artiste

Images may consist of album cover artwork, photographs of the band or artiste, graphics and text

Key Questions

Identify the type of poster and its purpose How is the band or singer represented in the image? How is the music of the band or singer represented in the image? If the band or singer is absent, why? How are graphics used on the poster? How are lighting and colour used in the poster? What are the main colours used in the poster? What do these

colours say about the artiste? Who do you think is the intended audience for the poster? How effective do you think the poster is at promoting the artiste?

Homework task

Using the key questions, write an analysis of your chosen poster