From a design management perspective, the combination of sound and image has the opportunity to become a branding tool. DJs, collectives and labels use visual identity to express values, whether political, aesthetic or emotional. Visuals become a statement, extending sound language into design culture.
As a media designer and club culture enthusiast, I am fascinated by how visual artistry can evoke the essence of music. A bouncing sphere might represent percussion, while abstract gradients might express the warmth of a synth pad. Beyond aesthetics, the creation of such experiences allows designers to tell political statements, engage and connect with people and support causes through charity initiatives.
An example of such responsibility taken into account is the collaboration of the music label Curieux Dilettanti (CXD) and the charity initiative ELPIDA e.V.. An album was produced in advance of a joint music event, of which all revenue was donated to the ELPIDA project in order to assist them in their mission for the right to asylum for all, once and for all.
So to me the question is not only how music can be visualized, but how it can be interpreted through design. Design is not neutral; it shapes emotions, values and collective experience. This becomes particularly important in club and festival environments, which function not only as entertainment spaces but also as cultural and political arenas.
Sources
Best, K. (2015). Design management: Managing design strategy, process and implementation. Bloomsbury.
Faulkner, J. (2013). VJ: Audio-visual art and VJ culture. Laurence King Publishing.
Giera, L., & Eller, C. (2025, October 22). Community driven cultural works (Interview).
