How Does One Become a Visual Designer of Marching Shows?
I field the above question from one of my university students from time to time. I consider myself a visual designer, but far from being full-time. It’s a side hustle. A hobby for which I get paid. I shared my own journey in my very first blog entry May 12, 2019 Why does someone become a visual/drill designer and why do they continue?
The truth is, anyone can just declare themselves a visual designer of the marching arts. It’s like the wild west! One does not become a visual designer by getting a degree or even a certificate. I’m not saying it would be a good thing for someone to just decide to be a designer and start from scratch that day because it takes time, experience, and practice. Below is a list of things one could do to reach a place where they could be at least a part-time designer.
Be involved in the marching activity as a performer. High school marching band, indoor winds/guard/percussion, college marching band, DCI, etc.
Be involved in the marching activity as a director/instructor/technician. Even if this experience is volunteer, the more time one can spend around the activity working with performers and watching the process of learning/rehearsing/performing, the better.
Watch performances, watch performances, watch performances! The more examples of design one can see, the better! YouTube is a great tool as well as attending live performances at contests, festivals, football halftimes, etc. Take note of design that effects you!
Spend time with a quality more experienced designer. Get connected with someone who has some designing chops. Spend time with them discussing their process, how they realize their design ideas, and finally how they communicate the design to the performers.
Spend time learning as much as possible about the medium you will use to realize your design. Whether it is computer software or paper/pencil/compass/protractor, spend time learning how to efficiently use the tools. The more comfortable you are with the tools, the easier designing will be. The easier designing is, the more you will want to practice.
If at first original ideas are slow to come, spend time transcribing others’ design. The process of back engineering someone else’s design is super beneficial. This will provide practice of using the tools to design as well as log time watching design building your own catalogue of visual design references.
Design, design, design! This is a craft that is developed by doing, not just studying. Do some designing and have it reviewed by someone you trust to give honest feedback. Writing for your own group is a great place to start and teaching your own design is a great way to grow as a designer. YOU’LL LEARN A GREAT DEAL BY TEACHING YOUR OWN DESIGN..
Get training. Attend clinics and workshops. The more designers you spend time with and influences you assemble, the more resources upon which you can draw in creating your own design work.
Here are some areas of development for anyone aspiring to be a visual designer.
Develop a curiosity about production (in and out of the marching activity) especially staging, special effects, and their interaction. Dance is also a great area in which to develop knowledge. How do dancers move? All of it.
Develop an interest in visual art (if one doesn’t already exist). This should include architecture.
Develop your own creativity. Spend time drawing, building, or visualizing how you might represent a piece of music, feeling, or concept through visual design on a field or stage.
If your personal marching experience did not include colorguard, spend time developing at least a basic knowledge of choreography and equipment.
Develop a “No Fear Attitude”. You’ll be putting your work out there on public display. There will be failure and that’s okay. Learn from the failure and move on, but don’t let the failure cause fear. Fear is the enemy of any creative endeavor. Take feedback and improve/grow!
It seems that fewer and fewer directors at all levels are completing the visual designs for their groups. If this trend continues, there won’t be enough visual designers to keep up with the demand. I’m not trying to put myself out of business, but as a teacher at heart, I am working to replace myself. That’s what teachers do. Give others the tools to DO and DO without them.
I love to hear from readers like you. Please leave a comment and/or share this blog with a friend.—DB