Tuesday, July 17, 2007 13:41

This book has already been covered on BBC TV and Radio and in The Economist and The Guardian but having just read it myself I think it is well worthwhile bringing to your attention also.

Sound Business by Julian Treasure explains exactly how to take control of sound to improve almost every aspect of a business, I particularly liked the importance he stresses of designing ’soundscapes’ correctly for retail spaces.

Just as the combination of colours, shapes, textures and lighting creates a whole visual effect - a ’soundscape’ can be created using a combination of background and foreground sound and acoustics.

When you have read this book you will come to realise that most retail ’soundcapes’ are: -

- arbitrary (nobody designed them)
- hostile (they make shoppers leave more quickly)
- incongruous (they have no relationship to the visual brand)

The key is to design the whole ’soundscape’, including any digital screen media, from the ground up to create a pleasing and nourishing sonic environment that encourages consumers / customers / shoppers to feel relaxed, unhurried, positive and happy.

Importantly the book is pitched at managers and NOT necessarily sound experts; as such it is an easy and informative read.

ISBN-10: 1852525282

http://www.soundbusiness.biz/
http://www.soundbusiness.wikispaces.net/
http://www.thesoundagency.com/