OUGD501 - Studio brief 02 - Reception / Feedback

For a reception of the Fabric visual case study I asked a select number of people with interests in both electronic music and design. This allowed me to have an understanding of the two target audiences and to see how they conceive the idea. I asked a number of questions to each indivdual then followed up with a conversation about the case study as this was beneficial to talk about the design, Fabric, music culture and anything else related to the visual case study.

Q. Is the story clear throughout the case study?
A. Yes, there is a clear story that is shown through the icons and symbols, it makes it easier to understand as you don’t have to read much…good for a lazy person which probably links to the target audience.

Q. You describe the target audience as ‘Lazy’, would you be able to expand on that?
A. Its not that its lazy its just more appealing because its visually pleasing and thats what people like me like. Its like when you got a magazine when you were younger you would just look at the pictures. Similar concept i guess.

Q. Do you feel the case study celebrates the scene and culture of electronic music?
A. Yes, the case study is highlighting what is good about Fabric and helping the audience understand frustration that people had once it closed.

Q. From a design and music standpoint, what are the unique qualities of the case study?
A. There is nothing else out there that shows the save fabric campaign, this helps to tell the story which many people might not be fully familiar with.




Q. Is the story clear throughout the case study?
A. Yes definitely the symbols flow smoothly from one to another creating a coherent story. Even though I know the story of the Fabric court case, I do feel like someone who is totally unaware of the club would have a rough idea of the court case through the use of icons, as it allows linkage.

Q. You speak about ‘linkage’, in research I found out that icons and symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different concepts and experiences. So do you feel the case study allows people to interpret the icons for themselves?

A. All the icons are clear and recognisable but each mean something different to each person but in the end contributes to the story of the Fabric court case. When I turn each page and look upon the icons I remember that certain stage of the court case, so I’d say it helps me reflect upon that experience.

Q. Do you feel the case study celebrates the scene and culture of electronic music?
A. Yeah it does a very good job of communicating the passion and love people have for Fabric and electronic music. The small essay in the opening page gives a different perspective of electronic music and makes people stop and read it to fully respect and understand it. Personally I feel electronic music is pushed aside in general media but the opening page of the case study can change peoples approach.

Q. From a design and music standpoint, what are the unique qualities of the case study?
A. It has an ability which not many design books have to tell a story simply. Design books are made for designers so most the time they are intricate and beautifully polished books such as Unit Editions but the case study is different. Its simple, bold, quick and impactful and these are the unique qualities of the visual case study. But to go into more depth about the principles of this case study then the isolated icons on each page do a good job of emphasising the importance of each step/page in the story.

I know for myself that not many books exist based on electronic music so thats unique quality I suppose, but the best thing about this case study that is music related is that it simply celebrates something that benefited the people of the electronic music scene.