Aesthetic Design

The key challenge of visual performance design is to dynamically visualize the concept and story arc of the music and/or narrative. Defining a “point of view,” or overarching aesthetic can be helpful in maintaining cohesion throughout a set.

For instance, the source material might vary greatly (bodies, objects, abstractions, landscapes), however, if they are treated and presented using similar textures, color palettes, framing, pacing, and even layering elements from multiple images can make the visual set appear more unified.

Paintings or other, more 'worked,' visual forms, provide a second meaning to the subject matter—the denoted or representational meaning supplemented by the style or 'treatment' of the image. For example, William Kentridge’s theatrical designs, featuring his own charcoal drawings and animations, alter the perception of the images he portrays beyond that of a representational photograph.

Regardless of treatment, consider how the aesthetics influence the mood and meaning of the imagery, the tone and themes in the music, and your desired intent.

Styling Your Look

We should consider how effects and digital manipulation influences the interpretation of our imagery. They will have their own connotations and history. For instance, effects that simulate an old VHS tape or an analogue synth may tie it to a certain era, e.g., the “Stranger Things” opening title.

Mood boards & Storyboarding

A visual performer will need to plan out the theme, setting, and mood for a performance or a production before any editing, composing or programming begins. They will also want to plan out, or “storyboard” a script for choreographing various forms to music.

Start by creating a primer, or “mood board,” for the overall style, palette, and patina for the visual design. This may include a collection of colors, graphics, textures, image references, screen grabs, etcetera. Lay them out using your preferred image viewer (Finder, Preview, Bridge, et al) or make a collage Photoshop. Pinterest is another resource for collecting images of a certain theme.

Next, storyboard the desired sequence for your music. In the animation industry, storyboards are comprised of “extremes and in-betweens.” Extremes are moments that set the exact mood, emotion, or key image in a sequence. In-betweens are the transitional frames that move from one extreme to the next.