Category: Art Talk

The Power of MySpace in Promoting your Band

Myspace - FunnyYou may be wondering whether your band would benefit from the publicity which is associated with MySpace. The truth of the matter is that social media is always a welcome development for artists. It allows them to access audiences that would ordinarily be closed to them. At one point this website was the absolute king of communication. FaceBook came along and changed everything. Now they have to settle for the scraps. You might have thought about customizing your pages in order to keep up with your fans. The question is whether you are better off concentrating on Twitter and FaceBook.

1) The role of promoters: Despite the declining popularity of MySpace there are many managers and journalists who are linked up. You can use it as a reference point especially when it comes to arranging auditions. The music industry is very enthusiastic about this social network and that is ample justification for participation.

2) The punters: Fans are not necessarily on MySpace but they can utilize some of the programs to pick up new music. If your presence is not there then you will be missing out on this prime opportunity. Recommend a band on FaceBook and then play the samples on MySpace.

3) Specialization: In the wake of the FaceBook onslaught MySpace has decided to upgrade its music features. There are millions of fans who are waiting to listen to interesting music. The editors have a New Music Matters section which might be of benefit to aspiring artists. First set up a page before asking for assistance.

4) Search engines: For some reason the major search engines prioritize MySpace content over many of the other content categories. That means that the clients or listeners will not have to go beyond the first page in order to get your piece. An obscure band can use this to increase their profile and edginess.

5) Existing fans: If you already have fans on MySpace, it is imperative that you maintain contact with them. Do not abandon them just because the other social media networks are having a ball. Remember that it is very hard to buy a fans dedication. At least keep the accounts running simultaneously.

6) A fickle industry: There is no guarantee that Twitter and FaceBook will be on top forever. The problems that are facing MySpace may soon find them. Do not put all your eggs in one basket. Instead make sure that you have a presence in all the major networks so that your fans can easily access the band.

Having looked at these issues you may concluded that it is not time to close your MySpace account. You may not give it a lot of attention but at least you will maintain some contacts within that sphere. There is no problem with having multiple websites. A feeder system can mean that both categories of consumers can get information about the things that you are doing. These are the things that can take your band to the next level of achievement.

A Story of David Carson: Graphic Designers Influential Spotlight

David Carson Offices - Graphic Designer

David Carson’s story could strike a chord with younger people because he didn’t start off as a graphic designer, but a sociology teacher. After being introduced to it, he was designing for things that he liked and knew about: magazines for skateboarding, snowboarding, and surfing, using a style of grunge typography that was his favorite.

I’d say this appeals to younger artists because he not only didn’t have much experience in the discipline, but he was able to pave his way and start a trend using a style all his own that he loved. Most graphic designers, once they’re out in the world, are confined to working with what the client wants and are held back from self-indulging. David Carson himself stated that his style is the opposite–shamelessly self-indulgent. For most of us, that would hold us back in our designs and careers, but for David Carson, it meant work with companies like MTV, Pepsi-Cola, Levi-Strauss, Mercedes-Benz, and the band Nine Inch Nails. It suggests that yes, I’ve done it, and you can do it, too, by doing what you love and that conformity is not always necessary. Carson even won the “Most Famous Graphic Designer on the Planet” award in London of 2004.

This is a perfect case showing how influencing the masses comes into play in new media and old. Carson’s ability to understand how to influence the public through typography, brand identities, and graphics is still something we can learn from today. Quotes about Carson’s career include: “He changed the public face of graphic design” and “the most popular graphic designer of our time” along with a long list of others.

There is talks about a film about Carson’s life and influence on the design industry. The film will document the design process of Carson and will have interviews with some of the top names in Design now, one’s who were highly influenced by Carson himself. SeaWorthy Films and BFG Communications are documenting the art and design process of Carson. We will share details once the film is released.

5 Best Sources for Creating an Online Art Gallery

 If you are a professional artist, you need to have your own website. A website is considered the  primary contact medium for any professional in today’s world, and that includes the artist.

There are several misconceptions that keep artists from taking that first step to creating an online presence. There is the assumption that professional looking websites are costly to create and complicated to manage. Neither of these needs to be true for the artist. Listed below are five of the best website sources for artists. Each of these services cater specifically to artists and can provide professional looking website galleries for your art for minimal prices, and in some cases, at no cost at all.
The Top Five.. Continue reading →