Short answer
When designing audio elements for a product or experience, consider how the chosen sounds can contribute to the overall narrative and shape user perceptions of the subject matter or brand.
- Field
- Classic Design
- Source
- Journal of the Society for American Music (2015)
- Method
- Musicological analysis informed by historical context, film studies, and political mythology.
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Film composers can actively construct historical narratives and shape audience perceptions of political figures through the strategic use of musical codes and thematic material. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in Journal of the Society for American Music. Using Musicological analysis informed by historical context, film studies, and political mythology., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing audio elements for a product or experience, consider how the chosen sounds can contribute to the overall narrative and shape user perceptions of the subject matter or brand.
Orchestral Narratives: How Film Scores Shape Perceptions of Historical Figures
Film composers can actively construct historical narratives and shape audience perceptions of political figures through the strategic use of musical codes and thematic material.
Journal of the Society for American Music · 2015
Key Findings
- 01Williams's score for JFK constructs a tragic myth by portraying Kennedy as a romanticized, public image rather than a complex individual.
- 02The score for Nixon positions him as a tragic antihero, influenced by dark historical forces and ambivalent musical themes.
- 03Music actively supports the films' paranoiac narratives, particularly when the visual style challenges traditional musical aesthetics.
- 04Williams's music independently authors a historical narrative, complementing but distinct from the film's screenplay.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing audio elements for a product or experience, consider how the chosen sounds can contribute to the overall narrative and shape user perceptions of the subject matter or brand.
How to apply
When developing sound for a project, consider creating distinct musical themes or sound motifs that represent key concepts, characters, or historical periods to guide the audience's interpretation.
Project actions
- 01Consider the emotional impact of sound in your design.
- 02Research how sound is used in existing media to convey specific messages or feelings.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Detailed music analysis provides concrete examples.
- +Connects musical techniques to broader themes of mythology and politics.
Limitations
The specific musical styles and historical contexts analyzed may not directly translate to all design projects.
Reliability & validity
The study's validity relies on the author's musicological expertise and interpretation of filmic and historical context. Reliability could be enhanced by having multiple musicologists analyze the scores independently.
Think critically
To what extent can music alone, independent of visual or textual cues, effectively convey complex historical interpretations or political messages?
Design Principles
"Auditory elements can be employed to construct narrative and influence perception, akin to visual storytelling."
This research highlights how music in media is not merely accompaniment but a powerful tool for storytelling and myth-making. Understanding these techniques allows designers to consider the emotional and narrative impact of sound in their own projects, whether in film, interactive media, or even product sound design.
What This Means for Your Design
The music in movies can change how we feel about historical figures and events, almost like telling a story with sound.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing how sound design choices in your project aim to evoke specific emotions or convey particular meanings about your product or its context.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The analysis of film scores by John Williams for JFK and Nixon demonstrates how carefully crafted music can actively construct historical narratives and shape audience perceptions. This highlights the potential for sound design in any project to influence user interpretation and emotional engagement with the subject matter.
Source
Journal of the Society for American Music
Scoring The President: Myth and Politics in John Williams's<i>JFK</i>and<i>Nixon</i>
journal · 2015
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about orchestral narratives: how film scores shape perceptions of historical figures?
- When designing audio elements for a product or experience, consider how the chosen sounds can contribute to the overall narrative and shape user perceptions of the subject matter or brand. Evidence: Journal of the Society for American Music (2015).
- Why does "Orchestral Narratives: How Film Scores Shape Perceptions of Historical Figures" matter for design?
- This research highlights how music in media is not merely accompaniment but a powerful tool for storytelling and myth-making. Understanding these techniques allows designers to consider the emotional and narrative impact of sound in their own projects, whether in film, interactive media, or even product sound design.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing audio elements for a product or experience, consider how the chosen sounds can contribute to the overall narrative and shape user perceptions of the subject matter or brand.
- What were the main findings?
- Williams's score for JFK constructs a tragic myth by portraying Kennedy as a romanticized, public image rather than a complex individual.. The score for Nixon positions him as a tragic antihero, influenced by dark historical forces and ambivalent musical themes.. Music actively supports the films' paranoiac narratives, particularly when the visual style challenges traditional musical aesthetics.. Williams's music independently authors a historical narrative, complementing but distinct from the film's screenplay.
- What research method was used?
- Musicological analysis informed by historical context, film studies, and political mythology..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2015 journal from Journal of the Society for American Music.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing sound for a project, consider creating distinct musical themes or sound motifs that represent key concepts, characters, or historical periods to guide the audience's interpretation.
- What are the limitations?
- The analysis is specific to the films JFK and Nixon and the composer John Williams, and may not be universally applicable to all film scores or historical representations.