THAT BUZZ DEVELOPMENT

BRIEF

Whilst in my second year at University my friend approached me requesting branding for her soon-to-be launched podcast. The podcast would be based around urban music and news with outputs including logos, and audio visuals.

CONCEPT

My main and initial idea was to have a main typeface simulating buzzing, surrounded by circles which would emulate the sound waves heard within the podcast. I also did this as an attempt to visualise the sensation of being surrounded by general chatter whilst also feeling as if you are included in the discussion.

RESEARCH/INSPIRATION

I started my research by looking through the logos of podcasts that I was already listening to. I would take note of their text size relative to their image size, their use of colour, and their use of images.

I found that only a minority of podcasts use images, with more opting for illustrations. Text is significantly large with most podcasts featuring only text on their covers. Finally, I noted that their covers use an abundance of colours in an attempt to get noticed by potential listeners amongst a sea of other flashy and eye-catching designs.

DEVELOPMENT

A large majority of the development process was filled by either searching for typefaces that would fulfil the needs of my concept, or learning and creating the audiovisual counterpart.

I decided on having the title (That Buzz) in the frizzy typeface, placed above the presenters names in a block-like font. Spin-offs of the podcast or alternate presenters would be allocated their own individual colour alongside still following the house style.

To learn how to create a path that replicates the soundwaves heard within the video I looked up tutorials on the topic on Youtube and on forums. I then went on to experiment with and eventually create the audiovisual. This element would also match the colour used fot the show name/presenter's name(s).

FEEDBACK

I had originally had each of the circles set to replicate a certain frequency of the audio that it was referencing. This would confuse viewers as they could not recognise that the circles were actually reacting to the audio. I made the change to have all of the circles replicate all of the audible frequencies.

HINDSIGHT

In hindsight I probably would have added an interactive background, much like Radar Radio used to do within their live streams.

I would make this adjustment because I believe that I now have a better understanding of audiovisuals, and also consume more radio and podcast content.