NPR Music Web site

I picked NPR Music because I visit the site quite regularly so the design must be doing something right to keep my interest.

One of the main aspects I notice is that text does not overwhelm the page, a la The New York Times. Each section has minimal description; it provides just enough information to urge you to click the link and find out more. On top of this, images on the main page complement the accompanying text, also not becoming an overwhelming presence.

I prefer strict organization and the site designers seem to have had that in mind as well. The sections are clearly defined according to genre or function (live performances, interviews, song previews, etc.). An NPR reader would not have difficulty searching for their desired topic. The site's main page features many options to choose from but the uncluttered, basic approach to presenting their selection facilitates rather than frustrates. And, the reader becomes further engaged with the absorption of information because the site is focused on linking to other pages. This prevents passive reading and frees the page of unnecessary overflow.

This leads to the second question of how contemporary media culture will affect content presentation. As a proponent of reading a whole lot of information, I want to say that "less is more" will not permanently take hold. But I, like everyone else, am run by time, and time favors "less is more." Compound the numerous sources we are offered to sort through, and content that neglects brevity loses all functionality and convenience. So, the trend of dwindling word counts and lengthy descriptions will unfortunately continue.

Typography in Live Music

I decided to look for interesting examples of typography in what I research most - music. The inspiration definitely sprung from our class discussion about the Lou Reed and Loretta Lynn posters. While our music tastes ultimately depend on the music itself, no matter what genre of music your preference falls in, you will almost never find a boring concert promotional poster. They want and need our attention. If we don't take notice and "hear" the band's message, no one will be hearin' their tunes.

Though these posters rely on creativity and coming up with fresh ideas, each example I found also relies on one or more basic functions of typography that Lupton discusses. The three posters I chose to share with you all are visually intriguing but also representations of what typography can achieve when adhering to Lupton's foundations.

So, first up, I have a poster for the Lollapalooza music festival held in Chicago each summer.

Click here for a larger image.

This poster exhibits the importance of hierarchies in typography. The festival has a lot of bands coming so the poster's creator decided to use descending sizes of text for emphasis. It denotes who are the headliners that may draw bigger crowds and leaving it up to those interested in the less well-know acts to scan the entire page. Also, the condensed grouping of text ensures that someone viewing this poster will have to take time to stop and read everything to find what they want. That creative decision, as well as the legibility of the text even as size decreases, allows for information to be absorbed easily. And, don't forget the P.T. Barnum-style "circus" promotion on the bottom left and right corners.

On to example two: a poster promoting a Portishead performance (image at top left).

The text on this poster demonstrates the diverse ways text can be incorporated. In this case, the white letters on the woman's black silhouette appear to be a dress design, but it is only the text manipulated to arouse imagery in the viewer's head. Lupton's idea of a text and image working together is exhibited here. The white letters are, simply, just white letters. But, when applied to the poster, the white text helps to create an almost noir atmosphere (which Portishead's music often is compared to), with the woman being a femme fatale. The result all has to do with uniting text and image, a simple idea that can be used for more complex graphic goals to make text become more than just letters on a page.

And, finally, the image pictured top right is a poster for a live show featuring The Walkmen.

This is another example of text becoming something more. The concert information becomes part of a re-creation of a tape deck player (anyone still use one?). It creates a sense that The Walkmen's music takes inspiration from classic styles of music, which the band actually does. Once again, text and image merge. But, also, Lupton (and our class) discusses the importance of spacing and its effect on the message presented. Because the concert information is spread out around this picture, the viewer becomes more engaged with the image. With this piece, you are receiving information but in a different way that is still accessible.

Well, hope those were interesting for everyone. If you can think of any cool music posters, post 'em. I won't hesitate to check them out.