Music: distraction or motivation?
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- epic_rim0
We play This American Life episodes in reverse. It doesn't seem to have any effect on anyone, so we're calling it a success.
- mydo0
We have music on even if everyone is listening to headphones. Clients are always knocking about, a design office without music seems hollow.
- desmo0
I need music when I work. Even if its low volume elevator music - at least its something.
If its dead quiet, I start to go crazy. Im not keen on working in a morgue
- Peter0
Part of work where you have to think
= no music, or at least no music with lyricsPart of work you just have to muddle through,
less to no thoughts (pure production, etc)
= music
- iheartfun0
No one in here will do work without music. To quite, small, and eerie
- ItalianStallion0
- anthropologist on mars has a case where a grateful dead fan gets a giant brain tumor and communicates only in rhyme.kingsteven
- love these two tookingsteven
- benfal990
MUSIC is ok. For yourself.
Put your fucking headphones on!™
- whatsup0
Depending on how many people you have in your studio it can be disturbing. But music is good, I wish I could remember to turn it on while I'm working
- DaveO0
I'm all for music. Silence is a bit strange and all the small noises are amplified (human noises, slurping coffees, phone calls to partners etc).
Music adds a vibe to the studio and can be directed in any direction.
Spotify Premium is a must for every studio. Tenner a month and it's quite democratic in terms of what's out there to listen to, you can network and create playlist so everyone can have a go, and if you buy it you don't get the annoying ads. Wicked idea.
- Fax_Benson0
To even consider working properly I need to be accompanied by a full west indian steel band. I find carnival weekend is my most productive time of year.
- Yep, you just can't get enough floats when you need em.MrMackem
- BuddhaHat0
I sit next to a French guy who talks all day... sometimes just in general, not talking to anyone in particular, it's incredibly frustrating. In the days he's in the office, I consider my music a distraction from a distraction, which allows me to work.
He's too nice a guy to just say 'Hey FrogMan! Shut the fuck up!'
- So true. I like The French, but they just cannot help being annoying. It's a talent, I'll grant them that much.detritus
- benfal990
I think a law must be established that says:
'If you want to listen to music at work. Bring your headphones. NO ONE is allowed to play music in speakers at any moment'
- welded0
It depends on what I'm doing. If I'm trying to work out a problem, then I like silence but if I'm just workin' away it's fine.
- Projectile0
electronic music is better. lyrics are distracting at times. but when it comes to highly repetetive processses, I even listen to comedy shows as it stops my mind from wandering in the direction of going to make cups of tea etc. and i just knuckle down
- Continuity0
For designers, music is certainly an advantage, I think. Different textures, soundscapes, layers, bleeps, chunky guitar, et cetera can give a jolt to the creative juices.
For writers, I would think it's a distraction. That's a completely different animal.
I remember a book I had when I was a kid about how to draw comics (it was a really awesome British book, the author of which I can't remember anymore), and in the chapter about home studio set-up for writers, the athor recommended as silent a space as possible - without music - in order to properly concentrate. The logic being that music - especially music with singing and lyrics (versus instrumental) - is too much of a distraction from writing.
- detritus0
My own music, yes.
Other people's, certainly not.
- Giles780
We have a CD player but the girls prefer to play loads of R&B which is not for me, so I listen to indie or whatever on earphones to drown it out. I'd prefer no music really.
- Amicus0
If you have bosses or workmates that talk loudly at each other across your desk music is a must! Turn it up every time they get louder and switch to something they'll hate if they are bothering you too much.
- Xopher0
Loud doom drone noise metal in the office, yes. No one else seems to appreciate it though.