How important is music to you when designing?

[DevilBear]

I've seen the importance of listening to good music emphasized by some designers. What do people here at SPF think?

[Seer]

Depends on the mood.

Sometimes I like only the hum of the computer. Other times I like classical, classic or heavy metal. You name it, but it comes down to a mood thing.

The amusing thing is how certain things have a whole different inspiration to them.

[smcausland]

I almost constanlty need music but what I am doing determines the music.

If I am doing some reptitive task like updating pages with new info then I like upbeat music to keep me going. On the flip side if I am designing a new site or playing with code that needs concentration I want slow music.

I also find really loud dance music a good stress relief when a page just won't work right:-)

[five40]

I listen to music often when I code. However when I'm doing something that I need to concentrate, then I find music disturbing.

[cybercodeur]

For me, music is as important to my creative process as my computer is. And of course, what will come out of that creative process is directly related to the type of work I'm doing. When I code (which is 95% of my work load), I will listen to stuff like Blink 182, Eminem or the BloodHoung Gang fo instance. I need something that scrapes the paint off my walls.

When I design I find I'm better when the music I listen to soothes my soul. I willl then listen to a smoother type of music, even classical at times. I think every type of music can bring up the good in you, but your work will definitely be tainted by it.

[brokenvoice]

I'm with five40 on this. Most times I need to have something in my headphones, but every now and then (and it seems to be becoming more common) I just need quiet.

[mvd]

yeah, it depends on the mood,
but it can be helpful if you listen to the right stuff

[iTec]

i have never really thougt about it, most the time i guess i have music on, if im designing but i tend to have it off if im coding, dunno why tho, must just be something subconsiouse..

music however is good for design as it draws focus to the creative side of your brain and also gives you that split second to relax every now and then.

[nspencer]

It's hard for me to code in silence. 9 times out of 10, I will have my trusty Winamp running at the bottom of the screen. The other 1 time is usually when my roomate is watching TV, so it's hard to put music on.

[creole]

When I'm concentrating, I find music very distracting. Often, I'll be listening to music while I'm working and just get so overwhelmed that I have to replace it with silence. After I get over the hump, I might turn it back on.

However, when I doing repetitive work such as slicing up my design thats when I turn on the music for sure.

[cyberprince]

It really depends...I'm pretty much a music lover so when i hear music i tend to sing...which when deisgning can be very difficult to manage if you are trying to think.

I also don't like listening to hard rock or mettalic music when designing because it comes out like noise when you are not paying much attention.

Music, however can really be soothing especially if you've been at it the entire day!

[Scud]

music drives me, although sometimes when I'm into my work I don't notice the CD has stopped for a while..

[peasoapluv]

Music helps me find the 'zone' I need to be in to really do just about anything involving creativity... Like a shortcut for meditation, a way to tune out a part of my mind in order to listen to another part. But once I get in the zone, I'll also fail to notice when a CD stops.

[andrea]

I'm with peasoapluv--I need music to start working, but once I really get into what I'm doing, I stop paying any attention to the background noise. Generally, I just load all my mp3's into winamp, shuffle it a few times, then hit play.

[V + E + R + T]

Music is definetly a key element when I design. Although, I can design without my speaker blaring, I tend to move faster and am motivated when I listen to tracks from Linkin' Park, Nelly, Creed, etc. It keeps me upbeat and alive.

Most of the time, it also effects what I do. If I'm listening to Linkin Park, I always open up PS, and start doing some grungy/dirty-type cover designs.

As for most people, including me, it's hard to code and listen to music. Because I'm often finding myself mouthing the words to the song and not doing my math properly in coding, lol. I guess for that matter, designing takes less concentration than coding.

That's just my 2c.

[Nicky]

I am really bad, I rarely listen to music when I am on the computer, although I listen to it more at work. At home I am always definitely watching a movie. I have a TV and player in my office. I don't watch that much TV but a movie is always playing in my house.

[Kaizen]

I always listen to music when I'm programming.

I find it a gr8 help. If i dont i find it boring and it feels like theres something missing.

What i listern to depends on my mood and what i'm programming. If i need to concentrate more than usual i listen to peacefull music like classical.

Anything else and the Rock goes on !

[paroxysm]

I prefer to have the television on when am on the computer. Auditory and visual stimulation

[slp]

Although I generally love listening to music, I don't like to have it on when I need to concentrate, which is usually the case if I'm designing or coding. I find it too distracting. But it can be helpful in relieving boredom when doing more mundane tasks that don't require much thought.

[Droopy]

When I'm programming or designing I usually put on some chill music. It doesn't get bored that way.

[Technosailor]

There's always SOMETHING on. We have an apartment, so everything is close quarters. My office is in a corner of the living room. When my wife isn't watching TV, I'll turn music on.

Sketch

[appetent]

I have to start-off listening to music when working but usually I'll suddenly realise that I have been listening to the same stuff repeated for 8 hours

Appy

[mjames]

I listen to music about 75% of the time I'm working/online. It's either my MP3 collection or Internet radio stations via SHOUTcast.com. The one time I avoid listening to music is when I'm performing crucial processes such as forum upgrades or something.

[Maelstrom]

Music is critical. I don't really stray too far from my base though. Its either heavy or heavier. Sometimes a little loud but quite often louder. Oh yeah. Did I say fast. Slow stuff is for other activities in my life not working.

[InQuE]

I listen to music when I create images. you can tell what type I'm listening to too. my artifact-type like futuristic comes from rock and urban, semi-realistic comes from hip-hop and pop and stuff