The Design Process
Desmin faced a challenge in distinguishing themselves within a saturated market. While they had a strong core service offering, their brand lacked the visual and strategic cohesion necessary to establish a lasting impression. My task was to create a brand identity that not only captured the essence of their services but also communicated their values of quality, creativity, and artist empowerment.
Inspiration
My process began with an in-depth consultation to understand the essence of the company—their mission to help artists thrive. This phase included interviews with Desmin and his team, as well as mood board explorations to align the visual direction with the company’s energetic and professional ethos. We iterated on logo designs, color palettes, typography, and album art design to ensure every element reinforced their core identity.
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Key deliverables included:
- A bold and modern logo with a subtle nod to soundwave aesthetics.
- A grungy color palette blending vibrant energy with professional undertones.
- Typography that balanced creativity with readability for both digital and physical mediums.
Research: Understanding the Market
To build a brand that stands out, I conducted a thorough analysis of competitors in the music production space. By identifying trends in design, tone, and messaging, I pinpointed opportunities for BLVCKNOTE to differentiate themselves. Additionally, we engaged with target audience segments—emerging artists and music creators—to understand their preferences and expectations.
User Personas: Designing for Artists
My research informed two primary user personas:
- Independent artists looking for guidance and professional-grade production.
- Musicians seeking high-quality beats and marketing support to take their projects to the next level.
These personas shaped the brand’s tone and design, ensuring the identity was both aspirational and approachable.
Wireframing and Prototyping: Building the Framework
In the prototyping phase, I outlined the user journey for the BLVCKNOTE website. Wireframes focused on clean navigation, bold visuals, and an intuitive experience. We emphasized key call-to-action areas for service bookings and portfolio showcases. Testing with stakeholders ensured the framework aligned with the brand’s functional and aesthetic goals.
What I Learned
This project reinforced the importance of aligning a brand’s identity with its core mission. By immersing myself in BLVCKNOTE Records’ world, I created a brand that not only stood out visually but also resonated deeply with their target audience. Collaboration with the client and iterative design processes were essential to achieving a cohesive and impactful result.
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Through this experience, I learned how strategic branding can transform a business’s perception and open new opportunities for engagement and growth.
