I love music - whether it's pop, RnB, German hip hop, house, electro, soul or classical music. In my day-to-day work as a designer, music has an even bigger significance: it can actively improve my creativity and thus allow for even better design outputs.
In this article I will give you a little insight into my playlists and you will find out which music can be particularly useful in which situations. Maybe there is some musical inspiration for you too?
"The right music at the right time - so music is not an energy guzzler, but a useful creativity turbo."
# 1 - MUSIC FOR MAXIMUM CREATIVITY IN LOGO DESIGN
A logo design or a holistic brand design requires a maximum of creativity. Trouble-free working without mail, telephone and annoying notifications on the smartphone is essential.
As a logo designer, I listen to classical instrumental music in order to really get the creative flow going. To be more precise, I listen to the music of Ludovico Einaudi from Italy. The protagonist of his music is always the piano.
For me, Einaudi's pieces always combine two different melodies in one song that complement each other perfectly - similar to Yin and Yang. The sounds of the piano are always floating in the air and free. Like a leaf in the wind that whirls freely in the air and has no fixed points.
It is exactly the same with my creative thinking as a logo designer when a maximum of creativity is required. Ludovico Einaudi's music definitely pushes my creativity to a higher level.
As a designer, if I had to translate the word "creativity" into something musical, it would definitely be Ludovico Einaudi's unmistakable style.
# 2 - MUSIC FOR MAXIMUM CREATIVITY IN BRAINSTORMING
Brainstorming also requires a maximum of creativity. Every idea is allowed here and explicitly requested. Two very special songs from the deep house genre have proven to be perfect for me brainstorming (at least they were called deep house about 10 to 15 years ago, today it is a little different): "Stockholm Go Bang!" And "Sandcastles" by DJ Jerome Sydenham. Originally from Nigeria and now living in New York City, he has never lost his African roots and skillfully packs them in his music.
Jerome Sydenham often worked with Dennis Ferrer, also a DJ in the deep house scene. Together they built sand castles:
The musical build-up in "Sandcastles" and the comparatively monotonous sounds in "Stockholm Go Bang!" shift my thoughts into an almost meditative, trance-like state. Absolutely perfect for brainstorming.
# 3 - MUSIC FOR MAGAZINE LAYOUTS
When designing layouts for magazines on a regular basis (whether as a print version or digital app), creativity is not as important as in the examples mentioned above. It is clearly about transporting information. At the beginning of every collaboration with clients from the publishing industry, I design templates for layouts that are used in the course of ongoing media design. This saves me time as a media designer and thus costs for my client, the publisher.
When designing print and app magazines, it can also be music with vocals - pop, charts, RnB, soul or classic radio.
# 4 - MUSIC FOR ADMINISTRATIVE THINGS
For administrative work such as accounting or updating my website, I like listening to The Beatles, Michael Jackson or The Busy Twist - a DJ from London who unites Caribbean and African elements with electronic beats.
# 5 - NO MUSIC FOR COMMUNICATION
Everything that concerns communication needs my full attention, which is why there is silence here, so there is no music in the background. This includes reading and replying to e-mails, reading or writing newsletters or writing blog articles.
CONCLUSION
One thing is very clear: The more creativity is required, the more it has to be instrumental music for me.
How is it with you? I am looking forward to reading your comments!