OUGD601 / Context Of Practice / Practical / Synthesis

Through an investigation of the affect the development of print technologies have had upon the publishing of counter culture, I deduced several results that are to directly inform DIET.

• Print can survive as a medium of publishing if it’s ethereal attributes are exaggerated and are championed, just as vinyl has.

• Content within print can no longer keep up to digital in the publishing of news, current events. Print media has to be of great depth, looking at timely, slower overarching issues.

• The use of print on demand services transcends the risks found with the traditional print and sell model. 

• To compensate for higher cover prices, the ethereal attractions of print have to be exaggerated.

• Online content and Print content are to be kept exclusive to the medium in order to sustain income streams. Digital content can be used as a tool to attract traffic.

• To allow a consumer to produce, interact with their content (curate) places the individual in the position of a Prosumer, this process reduces the chance of disenfranchisement with a publication as a stronger connection with the customer is made.

• Advertising reflects compromise within publishing, to sustain print without advertisements, alternatives to the traditional methods are to be explored, a conscious approach of advertising, selecting brands that share similar ethos through advertorials and product placement.

• Counter culture publishing holds a visual language, which is constantly reacting against the mainstream media; content, art and editorial directions are to be aimed to sit within the underground and constantly adapted to stay so.

• Adaption and change to contemporary means of media consumption, social medias platforms and print / distribution technologies are to be welcomed to in order stay in the margins, the edge, the attractive.

• The curation of content and association is to be tiredly considered in order maintain a true brand identity.

• Embracing a straight to consumer distribution route dismisses costs taken by publishers and sellers.

• Don’t do an NME.