How music can help you design.

For some of my classes we have to research design articles and write a one-page review of it. I've found some fascinating topics while researching for these papers!

Yesterday I was browsing some How Design magazines that we have in our lab's design library and I ran across a fascinating one about how most designers design with music playing! We definitely do that in our lab most days, but I hadn't really thought about how that might be a sort of right-brained, designer-type-person thing.

via: Aloa

In researching for this post, I ran across a few other designers who have noticed the same thing!

• Adding Music to your Design Toolbox
• Random Thoughts: Design and Music
• How Designers Get Influenced by Music
• Exploring the Similarity Between Music and Design

I know there is definitely kind of a zoning-out process that happens when I take a photography walk or settle into a designing session. I've never really thought about it before, but a lot of times this super-focused creativity is accompanied by my listening to music. Doesn't matter what kind, just something enjoyable. Most times, I'll just get out my iPod and hit "Shuffle". In our lab, it's a regular occurrence to have something playing while we're working, whether that be rock, reggae, or easy-listening. It doesn't seem to matter to my creative mind what's playing, as long as something is.

None of the research I've found seems to be able to articulate exactly why this works. I think perhaps it could have to do with how intuitive the creative process is. Music helps us turn off the logical, rational side of our brain and rely more on instinct. Regardless of why it works though, I have definitely seen how having a background soundtrack, if you will, helps me focus creatively. Have you ever noticed this phenomenon or am I just crazy?

Do you listen to music when you design/craft/create?