Aural Stimulation

I listen to a lot of music. It helps me relax and focus. It helps expand my mind and provides a springboard for reaching my potential.

Listening to a stimulating piece of music cheers me on and pushes me to go farther than I have before. Quite simply, music is my creative fuel.

The music I listen to has a definite impact on my work. I’m not alone. Most creative professionals spend a lot of time looking for, acquiring and listening to music, and it stands to reason that its influence would seep in.

Check out this example:

This client’s brand featured strong colors and the theme of the campaign was agility demonstrated by athleticism. I chose to listen to metal (Slayer) when this was designed and it ended up having a very rigid, masculine structure.

Here is another example of musical influence:

The concept of this campaign was fun and approachable. I vividly remember listening to David Bowie’s “Hunky Dory” while putting this piece together. Bowie’s sense of whimsy and possibilities definitely comes out.

One more:

The brand for this client was friendly, approachable and experiential. While working on this project, I listened to lots of expansive instrumental rock (Mono, Pelican, Explosions in the Sky, Secret Chiefs 3), and looking at the design now, I can see direct influences ranging from the organic overlap of images to the serenity of the large blocks of blue.

Next time you are reviewing new creative, it might be fun to ask the team what they were listening to. It might put what you are looking at into a whole new perspective.