Tape Themes

Themes

According to the book 'cassettes from my ex' there are several different types of mixtape:

Crush Tape

First date tapes, given to someone new that you have developed a crush on. Music on this tape is filled with tracks that represent you, but also songs you think the recipient may like.

Musical Journey

This is an opportunity to share a side of yourself you keep under wraps. Music included on these tapes share musical knowledge.

Audio Postcard Tapes

Usually starts with a spoken introduction to acquaint the recipient with the senders voice. Can be a crush tape or a musical journey tape.

Conceptual Tapes

Made by art students, for art students. Everything about these tapes are artistic, from the cover art to the choice of songs and the way they are recorded.

Era-defining tapes

Categorising music from a particular year or period, eg "Senior prom mix 92"

Breakup tapes

Sent to an ex to remind them of the times they spent together and important songs from their relationship. This could express nice or hurt feelings.

Themed Tapes

Tapes made for a special occasion. The birth of a new baby, driving tapes etc...

The design of my website and the concept of the tapes is based around the romantic gesture of a mixtape. I am predicting the majority of my customers will be purchasing the tapes for loved ones. The following styles apply to me:

Audio Postcard Tapes

Crush Tape

Themed Tapes

With this in mind this helps me define the style of the themes I will design for the user. Another fact which influences the design is the genre of music the user will be adding to the tape. The most common genres are:

Pop

Rock

Indie

RnB

However, the website will undoubtedly have a specific target audience which will determine the type of music they will be interested in, therefore adding to the mixtape.