What do you listen to while you work? It varies day to day, depending on my mood, the weather outside, and if I’ve had my three cups of morning coffee. A nice slow start to the morning could begin with M83, while only a few hours later I’m listening to something on the opposite end of the spectrum, like Converge.

How do you listen? While at the office/studio during the day, I listen with headphones. It’s a shared space, so I can blare the music without affecting anyone else, and it really helps keep me focused. At home, freelancing at night, I have fallen in love with my Jawbone Jambox. It’s a Bluetooth wireless speaker with great sound that sits nicely on a shelf. I tend to play music at a lower volume at night so it’s perfect. I think I should be their spokesman.

Do you have any favorite music websites/providers? Absolutely. Rdio has changed the way I listen to music. It sounds kind of cheesy to say, but honestly, it has allowed me to take music with me everywhere I go, is great for discovering artists, and allows me to connect with other designers and what they’re listening to throughout their workday. And the interface is gorgeous. Very well thought out and designed.

Does music influence your work? Music sets the tone for each project I work on. As soon as I’m pulling a new job in, I’m finding a sound and atmosphere that fits with what I’m wanting to communicate visually. Sometimes fun, sometimes dark, sometimes I just need background music to help me zone out.

Where do you find music recommendations? Who influences your musical taste? I find 99% of my new music recommendations on Twitter and Rdio. The majority of people I follow on both services are friends and other designers. A lot of designers tend to be music snobs and overly picky about music, so while it can be at times annoying, it makes it easy to find good new stuff that’s great to work to.

What song or artist best represents the work you create? Meatloaf. No question. Big and boisterous, while at the core, simple. And the dude likes to eat.

Ideal place to sit and listen to your playlist: The Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair with Wood Base. That chair is gorgeous. It’s so simple and modern. I’d say that’d be a right pairing for these great tunes.

BRYAN’S PLAYLIST:

1. The Reflection of You, Bear in Heaven
2. Wild, Beach House
3. Lafaye, School of Seven Bells
4. Dreamlike, Vacationer
5. Soft, Washed Out
6. When to Let Go, Violens
7. Reaching Out, Nero
8. Bavarian #1 (Say You Will), Miike Snow
9. All of Me, Tanlines
10. I Can’t Stay, Ben Browning

Photos: Tom Barrett

1. “Alexander Girard” by Todd Oldham A massive and comprehensive monograph of the designer’s career, examining virtually every discipline in his prolific body of work. Written by designer Todd Oldham, who combed the extensive Girard archives and found new treasures and classics alike. Order one at Amazon.

2. Girard Alphabet Blocks Ideal for design aficionados both young and old, these distinctive blocks feature alphabets set in the Alexander Girard font collection from House Industries. Simultaneously a sharp, educational toy and stylish conversation piece, the 28-block set is made from replenishable Michigan-grown basswood with child-safe inks. Get them at House Industries.

3. PLYprints – New Sun Hand screen-printed with water-based inks on sustainably harvested maple plywood panels, the PLYprints are Girard classics. The 14″x14″ panels come ready to hang and will brighten any interior with their eco-friendly style. Get some sun at Modern Seed.

4. Girard Pillows in Retrospective, Red Girard’s vibrant, folk-inspired patterns invigorated the designs of his contemporaries (like the Eameses) while redefining textiles with form-emphasizing patterns and colors. Designed in 1952 for Herman Miller wallpaper, the distinctive Retrospective pattern returns as the perfect accent for any modern interior. Get them at Design Within Reach.

5. Girard Fonts For Girard, typography helped to spell out everything from pattern and fabric design to company rebranding. Presented by House Industries, Girard’s typefaces — Script, Sky, Sansusie, and Slab — are testament to the designer’s innate ability to seamlessly unite form and function, style and usability. Buy them at House Industries.

6. Girard Wooden Dolls Girard’s Wooden Dolls are a unique mix of decorative object and colorful toy. Drawing their aesthetics from Central American, Italian, and Eastern European culture, the dolls were originally created in 1963 for Girard’s Santa Fe home. Get dolled up at Design Within Reach.

*If you’re in New York City before July 1, purchase a Girard Wooden Doll at the Herman Miller Pop-Up Store in SoHo!

Photos: Linked to their sources within text