Music Makes Video

From a 2007 TED talk, designer Jakob Trollback re-conceptualizes what a music video really is. Rather than prominently featuring the artist, or telling a story through live action footage, Mr. Trollback demonstrates how the music can actually be the director, representing tones, instruments, and vocals through abstract and typographic elements.

Mr Trollback strives to push motion designs outside of the box, and I think he succeeds in this instance. His use of graphical elements certainly enhances the mood of the song. He successfully creates a sense of depth on the stage. allowing elements that appear closer to the viewer to represent something louder, while elements further away represent something softer. He maintains a consistent and logical design throughout the video. Several vertical bars represent the bass; a streaking pale-blue light represents the etherial vocals; etc. While I'm sure this treatment will never replace the traditional music video, a marketing tool designed to promote the artist's face as well as the song, it is an interesting example of how motion graphics can be used in today's society.