Outlaw Design Blog

My Wordpress Blog

Blog

  • View Archive

Music of Design: What do you listen to?

Recently I emailed a series of Twitter friends who design and handful of popular designers to see what sort of music got their creative juices flowing. The results were a mix of every musical genre out there. Some like to chill out to mellow and classical music, while others need something a a bit more energy to get them going.

If you find this post interesting, you might also want to check out Fudge Graphics post on designers and their favorite colors. He asked 40 designers/bloggers what their favorite colour is and split them up into 3 groups: cold, warm and neutral colours.

Check it out here.

music-1

Danny Outlaw

Website – http://www.outlawdesignblog.com
Music – Hank Williams the Third


music-1

Franz Jeitz

Website – http://www.fudgegraphics.com
Music – Kings of Leon


music-1

Liam McKay

Website – http://www.wefunction.com
Music – The Prodigy


music-1

David Airey

Website – http://www.davidairey.com
Music – Classical


music-1

Chris Spooner

Website – http://www.blog.spoongraphics.co.uk
Music – All American Rejects


music-1

Adelle Charles

Website – http://fuelyourcreativity.com
Music – Pink


music-1

Jacob Gube

Website – http://sixrevisions.com/
Music – Modest Mouse


music-1

Steven Snell

Website – http://designm.ag/
Music – Metallica


music-1

David Leggett

Website – http://www.tutorial9.net/
Music – Sigur Ros


music-1

Chad Mueller

Website – http://www.inspiredology.com
Music – Kaye West


music-1

Gino Orlandi

Website – http://www.fuelfordesign.com/
Music – Octane on Sirius Satellite Radio


music-1

Ty

Website – http://www.sourapplemedia.com
Music – Jay-Z


music-1

Calee Hime

Website – http://www.runningchimes.wordpress.com
Music – Daft Punk


music-1

Lilian

Website – http://www.lilula.co.uk/
Music – Explosions in the Sky

Tags: Interviews
  • February 17, 2009
  • Articles
  • 0

Discussion64 Comments

  1. What’s Your Favourite Colour? | fudgegraphics | for lovers says:
    February 17, 2009 at 9:21 am

    [...] you want to know more about your favourite bloggers and designer I highly recommend reading “Music of Design: What do you listen to?” on Outlaw Design Blog. Danny Outlaw asked a handful of popular designers (including me) to [...]

    Reply
  2. Hernan Valencia says:
    February 17, 2009 at 9:47 am

    My inspirational music is Radiohead

    Reply
  3. Franz Jeitz says:
    February 17, 2009 at 10:08 am

    Thanks for including me. It was really hard to only choose one artist though :) It’s realy interesting to see what other great designers listen to while working.

    Reply
  4. Ty Dennis says:
    February 17, 2009 at 10:17 am

    Such a wide range of music and a great post. Thanks for including me. I’m always looking for new music, can’t wait to see what others add.

    Reply
  5. kafka says:
    February 17, 2009 at 10:22 am

    Adam Beyer and everything bu derrick may.

    Reply
  6. Fred Yates says:
    February 17, 2009 at 11:16 am

    blink182, against me!, techno

    Reply
  7. dave says:
    February 17, 2009 at 11:18 am

    MGMT – oracular spectacular
    SIGUR ROS – ()
    New Young Pony Club – Fantastic playroom
    Pedro The Lion

    My favs to design to.

    Reply
  8. Stuart Thursby says:
    February 17, 2009 at 11:18 am

    Has to be a stellar combo of Radiohead, The Beatles, Muse and Sondre Lerche, depending on the mood =)

    Reply
  9. Grace Smith says:
    February 17, 2009 at 11:21 am

    Im with Chad, it has to be Kanye :-) I tend to jump between hip-hop and more chilled rnb.

    Reply
  10. CreativeFluff says:
    February 17, 2009 at 11:22 am

    We did this awhile back. You should check it out to see even more designers and what they listen too.

    Reply
  11. Sebastian Rumberg says:
    February 17, 2009 at 11:27 am

    Lately I became a huge fan of parov stelar. But “Explosions in the sky” is at least a great as everything I’ve heard so far. Thanks for this post… well, admin :)

    Reply
  12. Forbairt says:
    February 17, 2009 at 12:01 pm

    Usually its infected mushroom / prodigy / hallucinogen for me .. or if I’m feeling a bit more chilled out I’ll give Afro Celt Sound System a blast :)

    If I’m doing other stuff it might be fear factory …

    I’ve got “nice” taste :P

    Reply
  13. Kelly says:
    February 17, 2009 at 12:27 pm

    Bonobo is my all-time best design/coding music. When I really need to buckle down and be productive, there’s nothing else as good.

    Reply
  14. J5ff says:
    February 17, 2009 at 12:56 pm

    I listen to a lot of Patrick Wolf lately, the second album Wind in the Wires is really inspirational, a mix of classical with piano, violins and accoustic guitars and some electronic music together, evrything packed in an emotionnaly thigh thin plastic disk.

    Reply
  15. Chad says:
    February 17, 2009 at 1:43 pm

    hey Danny,

    Its Kanye West not Kaye West

    Thanks great list

    Reply
  16. Gabe says:
    February 17, 2009 at 6:19 pm

    I like to “keep it a little bit gangsta” – anything Jay-Z is a favorite, also love Outkast. While I’m writing code, I’ve found that reggaeton is awesome – it’s high energy, but I don’t understand enough words for it to distract me.

    Reply
  17. links for 2009-02-18 | This Inspires Me says:
    February 18, 2009 at 2:15 am

    [...] Music of Design: What do you listen to? (tags: music creativity inspiration) [...]

    Reply
  18. murydan says:
    February 18, 2009 at 6:38 am

    I mostly listen to TWIT podcasts, but occasionally some old school Norwegian Black Metal slips in.

    Reply
  19. Kevin says:
    February 18, 2009 at 8:57 am

    nice idea for a post.

    I usually listen to electronic music. Or whatever pops up on the local radio station.

    Reply
  20. logos says:
    February 18, 2009 at 11:44 am

    My collection consists of a wide variety. I can’t just listen to one type. I get inspired by so many different styles.

    Reply
  21. Ahron says:
    February 18, 2009 at 1:50 pm

    If I’m designing something, more often than not I like instrumental music. The likes of American Dollar, Hammock, Austin TV and Godspeed You Black Emperor! grace my playlists…Even a few OST’s, such as Clint Mansell’s The Fountain Soundtrack (EXCELLENT, if you’ve never heard it), and Pan’s Labyrinth are my currents…

    Reply
  22. Blue Buffalo says:
    February 18, 2009 at 7:07 pm

    I think it depends on my mood. One of my favorites is Switchfoot. If I am in a soulful, “touch-feely” mood, then I would probably choose John Mayer or Cold Play.

    Reply
  23. Anders Haig says:
    February 18, 2009 at 11:49 pm

    So happy to see another Kings of Leon fan (Frank). I listen to the same stuff to get my creative juices flowing.

    Reply
  24. Pages tagged "explosions in the sky" says:
    February 19, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    [...] bookmarks tagged explosions in the sky Music of Design: What do you listen to? saved by 2 others     np228 bookmarked on 02/19/09 | [...]

    Reply
  25. First Guest Post and Contributions | Inspiredology says:
    February 20, 2009 at 4:01 am

    [...] Music of Design: What do you listen to – Outlaw Design Blog [...]

    Reply
  26. Chuck E. Conqueso says:
    February 21, 2009 at 5:28 pm

    Anything that reminds me of sitting in my room as a teenager dreaming about what it would be like to design for a living.

    Usually it’s the first three Iron Maiden albums, Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio, Faith No More (from the college years) and Anti-Flag.

    Reply
  27. SostyPasha says:
    February 23, 2009 at 6:40 am

    :D Sa’ad el so3′ayar

    Reply
  28. The River Current - The Color and Sound of Design says:
    February 23, 2009 at 7:05 pm

    [...] The Sound of Design: What do you listen to? [...]

    Reply
  29. Mike Smith says:
    February 25, 2009 at 5:26 pm

    If I’m writing articles or writing code I tend to listen to the hiphop instrumentals section on http://www.soundclick.com

    If I’m designing/reading articles I have Joe Budden’s three Mood Muzik mixtapes – and most recently his “Padded Room” album – on constant rotation

    Reply
  30. Ozmatix says:
    February 26, 2009 at 12:14 am

    KISS gets me going every time.

    Reply
  31. Sotero says:
    February 26, 2009 at 3:11 am

    My inspirational music is Radiohead too !

    Reply
  32. Pieter says:
    February 28, 2009 at 7:02 am

    It’s just great that there are other designers listening Sigur Rós and Explosions in the Sky.
    That’s real inspirational music, really.

    Reply
  33. dannie says:
    February 28, 2009 at 12:12 pm

    metallica,
    the prodigy,
    the all-american rejects
    thats that nearest i listen to on this.
    i like slipknot, fall out boy etc.

    Reply
  34. Calvin says:
    February 28, 2009 at 1:56 pm

    lol Personally Aphex twin.
    Great post.

    calvin-t.co.uk

    Reply
  35. Jon Liebold says:
    February 28, 2009 at 7:17 pm

    Usually I end up listening to Sarah Brightman, Jann Arden, and Laura Branigan.

    Reply
  36. Dan says:
    March 1, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    I usually listen to heavier music while designing. Despised Icon, Death, Winds of Plague, and so on. Mostly death metal.

    Reply
  37. KDC says:
    March 3, 2009 at 10:59 am

    Cinematic Orchestra

    Reply
  38. Amelia Vargo says:
    March 6, 2009 at 1:03 am

    Our office had a classical music day recently, we all got loads more work done than normal!

    Reply
  39. El.enchus says:
    March 8, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    I recommend http://www.djnodj.com

    Reply
  40. Elavi says:
    March 13, 2009 at 1:04 pm

    You have some really great posts here be sure to keep me updated
    http://www.elavi.co.uk
    http://www.myspace.com/elavimusic

    Reply
  41. jesseme says:
    March 16, 2009 at 2:43 am

    music og design? what do you listen to?

    Reply
  42. Brad says:
    April 7, 2009 at 8:40 am

    Jimmy Eat World
    http://www.myspace.com/jimmyeatworld

    Dear and the Headlights
    http://www.myspace.com/dearandtheheadlights

    or Classical

    Reply
  43. Music of Design | Rhymes with Rough says:
    April 9, 2009 at 5:24 pm

    [...] a recent article on Danny Outlaw’s design blog, Outlaw posts a list of music that inspires some of his fellow graphic designers. Obviously, I can relate to the issue of music serving as more than a backdrop to my creative work. [...]

    Reply
  44. Liberation says:
    April 12, 2009 at 7:29 am

    If I am designing something for my corporate clients I listen to something light like Confessions on a Dancefloor or some other dance music business, otherwise it’s Garbage, U2, or Hole.

    Reply
  45. TND webdesign says:
    April 12, 2009 at 7:38 am

    That’ll be Thievery Corporation!

    Metallica – Master Of Puppets –> good choice!

    Reply
  46. Henrik says:
    April 12, 2009 at 7:58 am

    Boards of Canada is guaranteed to get you in a productive, creative groove.

    Reply
  47. Shali says:
    April 12, 2009 at 8:28 am

    I don’t listen to any of the bands listed in this post. It’s all about zone out electro-goodness music: Crystal Castles, Justice, MGMT, Ratatat, Of Montreal… Unless your into some softer styles, I highly recommend Stars or Mirah.

    Reply
  48. Niamh Redmond says:
    April 12, 2009 at 9:16 am

    Also would find it very hard to only pick one…

    I’m choosing five based on my current mood:

    Daft Punk, Fischerspooner, Kanye West, Amy Winehouse & Santogold.

    @nredmond

    Reply
  49. Andrew Champ says:
    April 12, 2009 at 10:31 am

    I listen to an unknown band called, Ghosts of the Great Lakes. Good stuff, gets the creative juices flowing.

    http://www.myspace.com/ghostsofthegreatlakes

    Reply
  50. Dean says:
    April 12, 2009 at 10:43 am

    Solvent
    http://www.rhapsody.com/solvent

    Zombi
    http://www.rhapsody.com/zombi

    Air
    http://www.rhapsody.com/air

    Black Moth Super Rainbow
    http://www.rhapsody.com/black-moth-super-rainbow

    Reply
  51. Carlos says:
    April 12, 2009 at 12:43 pm

    Federico Aubele

    http://www.myspace.com/aubele

    Reply
  52. Abdurrahman Gemei says:
    April 12, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    Nickelback FTW!

    Reply
  53. squeak.inc says:
    April 13, 2009 at 12:36 am

    Porcupine Tree m/

    Reply
  54. John says:
    April 13, 2009 at 8:22 am

    Royksopp, MGMT, Burnside Project, Kiln, Matthew Dear

    Reply
  55. Paul says:
    April 13, 2009 at 9:05 am

    Pearl Jam / Eddie Vedder, System of a Down, John Mayer, Volbeat, Bruce Springsteen

    Reply
  56. links for 2009-04-13 « Mandarine says:
    April 13, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    [...] Music of Design: What do you listen to? | Outlaw Design Blog (tags: inspiration music) [...]

    Reply
  57. Aleksandar Tasevski says:
    April 16, 2009 at 2:02 am

    The Prodigy for ever

    Reply
  58. Michele says:
    April 20, 2009 at 6:13 am

    I listen to Rise Against while I’m working.

    Reply
  59. Music for the Designing Soul | Design Adaptations says:
    May 7, 2009 at 6:01 am

    [...] There are so many others I could list. It’s hard to pick favorites because I have so many. Do we have similar musical interests? See me on last.fm! Feel free to add your favorite artist or album below. You might also want to check out Danny Outlaw’s music of design. [...]

    Reply
  60. Pages tagged "music" says:
    May 28, 2009 at 12:53 pm

    [...] bookmarks tagged musicstart credit card processing today free merchant account includes terminal Music of Design: What do you listen to? | Outlaw D… saved by 5 others     LostRinoa bookmarked on 05/28/09 | [...]

    Reply
  61. Ian Garstang says:
    June 16, 2009 at 1:20 am

    Music is important to me when designing as it helps inspire, keeps me creative and helps me stay in the zone. Personally I find more ambient music more effective as catchy tunes can often find you singing along or breaking into a guitar riff mid design.

    Good design music can also be project dependent as it can set the scene or create a mood and you might need an upbeat set of tunes for one and a more obscure set of tunes for something more abstract.

    - Kid Loco
    - Sigur Rós
    - Herbaliser
    - The Avalanches
    - St Germain
    - M83
    - Beta Band
    - Kruder & Dorfmeister
    - John Williams / Hans Zimmer music Scores

    These really help me!

    Reply
  62. Mia33 says:
    December 28, 2009 at 7:20 pm

    We can affirm that you make really supreme topic referring to this good post. You can complete the thesis pdf for thesis service or just ground our own dissertation writing services and students would buy a thesis paper at this service.

    Reply
  63. Music for the Designing Soul | Design Adaptations says:
    September 6, 2010 at 11:27 am

    [...] to add your favorite artist or album below. You might also want to check out Danny Outlaw’s music of design. < Classic Minimalism – A Collection of Beautiful Designs Music for the Coding Soul [...]

    Reply
  64. essay writers says:
    January 27, 2011 at 12:44 pm

    The Strokes, Interpol and Cage the Elephant are my all-times favorites

    Reply
Cancel reply

written by

Dannyoutlaw

Copyright © 2012 Outlaw Design Blog. Powered by WordPress.


Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/pictaloc/public_html/outlawdesignblog.com/wp-content/themes/creatic11/feather/modules/bandit-social/bandit-social.php on line 199
Back To Top