The subtle art of soundscaping for creativity
An invitation to experiment with using sound to support your creative work.
It’s 8am on a Sunday morning, and my street is still and quiet—at least by NYC standards. I can hear the hum of an air conditioner, some morning birds, the faintest suggestion of an ambulance siren. Later, this relative quiet will fill with the sound of kids yelling in the playground and double-parked in neighbors blasting their horns to be let out.
This collection of noises is my usual backdrop for work. Or, it would be if I didn’t jam earbuds in my ears and listen to whatever music loud enough to drown all of it out.
I’ve always listened to music or podcasts while I work but it’s only recently that I’ve started being deliberate about what I’m listening to, when. Of course, I know my sound environment will affect my work to some extent, or at least how it feels to work, but this has not in the past lead to my designing a better sound environment for myself.
This week I’m going to change that. I’ve outline a bit of an experiment below that I’ll be undertaking. Join me?
Big love and keep going!
Lucy
A soundscape experiment in three memos
MEMO - Audit your sound environment
Take note of the sounds in your creative space over the next week. What background noises are present? How do they change throughout the day? Identify which sounds help you focus and which distract you. Use this information to start curating your ideal sound environment.
MEMO - Experiment with different sound types
As you do this, try working with various sound environments for 30-minute sessions. Test out silence, white noise, nature sounds, instrumental music, and even busy café sounds. Keep a simple log of how productive and creative you felt during each session. Use this data to inform your future sound choices.
MEMO - Create a sound toolkit
Based on your experiments, put together a personalized sound toolkit. This could include a noise-cancelling headphone, a white noise machine, or a curated playlist. Ensure these tools are easily accessible in your creative space so you can quickly adjust your sound environment as needed.
Let me know: How does sound factor in your creative process?