When I sit down in front of my computer to design there are a few things I do in preparation:

1. Grab a drink with caffeine – though not soda. I dislike soda in most forms.
2. Have a sketch pad handy.
3. I always make sure my dog, Lucy, has something to play with. I can’t have her getting bored while I play.

And finally, though not at all the least important:

4. Music! I have a multitude of play lists on my iTunes that I have for different moods or times of the day.

It’s funny, but I’ve noticed that the music I’m listening to has a direct affect to the style of the design I’m working on. It’s all about mind set. So, I’m going to share with the populous some play lists that I often listen to.

This list is one of my favorites! I tend to play this one when I want to create something fun and indie. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) – Arcade Fire
Slow Hands – Interpol
Y Control – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Banquet – Bloc Party
Portions For Foxes – Rilo Kiley
Phantom Limb – The Shins
Lisztomania – Phoenix
Ocean Breathes Salty – Modest Mouse
12:51 – The Strokes
Spitting Games – Snow Patrol
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa – Vampire Weekend
Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles) – Arcade Fire
I Feel It All – Feist
Faust Arp – Radiohead
Evil – Interpol
The Modern Love – Bloc Party
7/4 (Shoreline) – Broken Social Scene
Piazza, New York Catcher – Belle & Sebastian
Bixby Canyon Bridge – Death Cab For Cutie
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi – Radiohead
My Moon My Man – Feist
Sea of Love – Cat Power
Cath… – Death Cab For Cutie
For Reasons Unknown – The Killers
The World At Large – Modest Mouse
Turn on Me – The Shins
Cheated Hearts – Yeah Yeah Yeahs