top of page
graphic visualisation
Einstein on the Beach
brief: to create an experimental graphic musical score for the 1975 Philip Glass opera “Einstein on the Beach” using typographic notation.
​
aim: to use typographic notation to visually convey sound, rhythm and other musical qualities as an alternative to conventional musical notation.
solution: the design uses a system of typographic elements to produce a visual code to instruct both instrumental and vocal parts in terms of pitch,
melody, and duration. The spiralling layout conveys the repetitive, cyclic nature of the opera whilst the clock-face style markings reference Einstein’s
theory of relativity and the time:space enigma.
Client /
ISTD Competition Brief
Role /
Visualisation
Graphic Design
Year /
2016
 The design concept was to visually represent the cyclic and repeating nature of the opera piece which could be read and performed by instrumentalists and vocalist. |  The rhythm, pitch, notes and vocals are all expressed as typographic elements. |  Each individual performance part can be extracted from the design as the performance score. |
|---|---|---|
 The visual score as a performance guide. |  The design has also be utilised in the supporting performance material. |  The overall design conveys a sense of the repeating and overlapping parts of the performance. |
 A minimalist adaptation of the design used in a newspaper advertisement. |  Elements of the design applied to merchandising. |
bottom of page