Graphic designer Bryan Patrick Todd finds inspiration a plenty in Louisville, Kentucky, where he specializes in branding and design. A mere glance at his bold yet clean work -- which includes everything from posters, to murals, to logos and more -- demonstrates his affinity for typography and color. With such a passion for vibrant, well-crafted forms and shapes, we wondered what kind of musical inspiration was at work behind the scenes. Our wonderment is answered in this week's wondrous Playlist.
What do you listen to while you work? It varies day to day, depending on my mood, the weather outside, and if I've had my three cups of morning coffee. A nice slow start to the morning could begin with M83, while only a few hours later I'm listening to something on the opposite end of the spectrum, like Converge.
How do you listen? While at the office/studio during the day, I listen with headphones. It's a shared space, so I can blare the music without affecting anyone else, and it really helps keep me focused. At home, freelancing at night, I have fallen in love with my Jawbone Jambox. It's a Bluetooth wireless speaker with great sound that sits nicely on a shelf. I tend to play music at a lower volume at night so it's perfect. I think I should be their spokesman.
Do you have any favorite music websites/providers? Absolutely. Rdio has changed the way I listen to music. It sounds kind of cheesy to say, but honestly, it has allowed me to take music with me everywhere I go, is great for discovering artists, and allows me to connect with other designers and what they're listening to throughout their workday. And the interface is gorgeous. Very well thought out and designed.
Does music influence your work? Music sets the tone for each project I work on. As soon as I'm pulling a new job in, I'm finding a sound and atmosphere that fits with what I'm wanting to communicate visually. Sometimes fun, sometimes dark, sometimes I just need background music to help me zone out.
Where do you find music recommendations? Who influences your musical taste? I find 99% of my new music recommendations on Twitter and Rdio. The majority of people I follow on both services are friends and other designers. A lot of designers tend to be music snobs and overly picky about music, so while it can be at times annoying, it makes it easy to find good new stuff that's great to work to.
What song or artist best represents the work you create? Meatloaf. No question. Big and boisterous, while at the core, simple. And the dude likes to eat.
Ideal place to sit and listen to your playlist: The Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair with Wood Base. That chair is gorgeous. It's so simple and modern. I'd say that'd be a right pairing for these great tunes.
(Images: Tom Barrett)
Republished in partnership with Lifework. By Jaime Latendresse