Lindsey Heyd 
Final Design
The Problem
The goal for this project was to communicate a concept using typography as the only visual tool, moving away from traditional imagery. I solved this by designing a bold, expressive front to capture a song’s vibe and a structured, grid-based back to organize complex artist information into a clear hierarchy.
Poster Specifications
Front Side
The front of the poster will be a conceptually driven design reflecting the emotional impact of your assigned song using typography only, rather than imagery as your visual language. The front of the poster will contain at least three levels of information: the song title, the artist name, and concert information (location, time etc.). You may wish to think of this typographic manipulation as emotional communication via type.
Content on the front of the poster must include:
Song Title
Artist Name
Concert Venue Information exactly as below:
March 22, 2025, 8:00 p.m., Millett Hall, 500 E. Sycamore St., Oxford, OH 45056. Tickets: $25 513-529-3200 https://miamioh.edu/cca/performing-arts-series
Back Side
The back of the poster will employ an underlying grid of your choosing and is intended to provide detailed information in a column format about the song and its author or the history of the band in general.
Content on the back must include:
A grid layout
Song synopsis (300 words)
About the artist/band (300 words)
A timeline of either the events in the life of the band, the decade the song was written, or the events in the songwriter’s professional life (ten total items at least)
A small picture of an album cover and/or the artist or band
You may use Generative AI to create the written content.
Grids and Ideation
During this phase, my goal was to use a grid to establish a cohesive style.
InDesign Grid
This was an early exploration of grids and the organization of information on the back of the poster. This was done in Adobe InDesign and I used Lorem Ipsum filler text.
First Draft
Before I started my design, I made sure to listen to “Pink Pony Club” multiple times and do some research on Chappell Roan and her career. Roan describes the song as a reminder to “follow your wicked dreams,” advocating for personal authenticity even if misunderstood. All she wants is to move away from her small, conservative hometown and embrace a vibrant new life.
My design is made to capture her journey and desire to join this new life. The twisted letters and messy arrangement of her name on the front represent her internal conflicts about her conservative upbringing. The location and ticket information trail represent the hard path Roan takes to get to her new life. The use of color in the path also represents her journey. The color transitions from a dark purple to a light purple to represent the journey getting easier. The neon effect in the signs represents the light at the end of the tunnel, where Roan is finally past her internal struggles and accepting the person she is today.
For the backside, I wanted to bring the show sign motif in by using the standard shape as a carrier for the artist and song description. I used the neon effect on icons that represent Roan and her upbringing to anchor the ten milestones. The neon is fitting because it’s paired with her accomplishments, which were only possible because she made the difficult journey.
Final Design
The biggest change from my first draft to my final was rearranging the order of the icons for the milestones. I paired icons with descriptions that matched the vibe of Roan’s milestones.
Details
Written Content
Back Side (timeline)
Late 2013, At 15, Roan began uploading cover songs and original pieces to her YouTube channel under her birth name, Kayleigh Rose, showcasing her early musical talent.
November 2014, She released her original song “Die Young” on YouTube. This exposure led to several musical showcases in New York.
May 2015, At 17, Roan signed with Atlantic Records.
September 2016, Adopted the stage name Chappell Roan in honor of her late grandfather, Dennis K. Chappell, combining his last name with “Roan” from his favorite song, “The Strawberry Roan.”
September 2017, Roan released her deput EP, “School Nights,” under Atlantic Records, featuring the single “Good Hurt.”
August 2020, After releasing singles like “Pink Pony Club”, “Love Me Anyway,” and “California,” Roan was dropped by Atlantic Records due to insufficient commercial success.
May 2022, She performed her first headlining concert, marking a turning point in her independent music career.
September 2023, Roan released her debut full-length album, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.”
September 2024, She won the Best New Artist award at the MTV Video Music Awards, dedicating her achievement to queer and trans communities.
February 2025, Roan received the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, solidifying her status in the music industry.
Back Side
Chappell Roan
Chappell Roan, born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz on February 19, 1998, is an American singer-songwriter known for her theatrical pop sound, bold visual aesthetic, and deeply personal songwriting. Hailing from Willard, Missouri, Roan began writing music at a young age, drawing inspiration from artists like Lorde, Kate Bush, and Elton John. Her stage name, “Chappell Roan,” is a tribute to her late grandfather. Roan first gained attention in her teenage years when she uploaded her music to YouTube. Her talent was soon recognized by major industry players, leading her to sign with Atlantic Records in 2017. Under the label, she released her debut EP, “School Nights”, which showcased her knack for storytelling and emotional depth. However, after parting ways with Atlantic, Roan chose to take an independent route, refining her artistry and embracing a more theatrical, camp-infused pop style.
Her reinvention came to full fruition in the early 2020s when she began releasing music independently, garnering a cult following with her flamboyant performances and unapologetic self-expression. Her breakthrough single, Pink Pony Club (2020), became an underground sensation, blending 80s pop influences with queer joy and escapism. This marked a turning point in her career, positioning her as a rising star within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
In 2023, Roan released her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, a collection of anthemic, high-energy pop songs that encapsulate her journey of self-discovery, heartbreak, and empowerment. The album received widespread acclaim for its dynamic production, theatrical elements, and Roan’s distinctive vocals.
With her larger-than-life persona, bold fashion choices, and commitment to authenticity, Chappell Roan has carved out a unique space in the pop landscape, earning comparisons to icons like Lady Gaga and Marina. As she continues to evolve, her artistry remains defined by a deep connection to her fans and an unwavering dedication to self-expression.
Back Side
Pink Pony Club
Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” is a euphoric and emotional anthem about self-discovery, transformation, and embracing one’s true identity. Released in 2020, the song tells the story of a young person leaving behind their small town life to pursue their dreams in Los Angeles, where they find freedom and belonging in a queer nightclub called the Pink Pony Club. The song is both deeply personal and universally relatable, touching on themes of personal liberation, identity, and the pursuit of happiness despite external pressures. Lyrically, “Pink Pony Club” follows the narrator’s emotional journey as they struggle between their past and their newfound sense of self. The song begins with a tone of hesitation, as the protagonist acknowledges their mother’s disapproval of their choices. However, as the song progresses, the character embraces their new world, reveling in the joy of dancing under neon lights and celebrating life in an environment where they feel accepted. The chorus bursts with a sense of triumph as Roan passionately declares, “I’m gonna keep on dancing at the Pink Pony Club,” reinforcing the song’s theme of unapologetic self-expression. Musically, “Pink Pony Club” is an exhilarating blend of 80s-inspired synth-pop and theatrical glam rock, reminiscent of artists like Elton John and Lady Gaga. The production builds from soft, contemplative verses into an explosive, anthemic chorus, mirroring the protagonist’s emotional shift from doubt to liberation. Roan’s powerful, emotive vocals add to the song’s dramatic flair, making it a cathartic experience for listeners who relate to the themes of self-acceptance and breaking free from societal expectations. The song has been embraced as a queer anthem, resonating deeply with LGBTQ+ audiences who see themselves in its story of finding a place where they truly belong. “Pink Pony Club” solidified Roan’s status as an emerging voice in pop music, showcasing her unique ability to blend theatrical storytelling with deeply personal lyricism.