Doug's Helpful Hints for Visual Design: The Top 5
I decided a few years ago I would try and put together an easy to follow guide for anyone who may be a beginning visual/drill designer or Pyware user. What follows here is the Top 5 Points.
Remember, give yourself time to develop as a designer...you aren’t likely writing the next DCI World Championship show. Take some of the pressure off of yourself.
Most of your design ideas will be more advanced than your present Pyware skills.....so don’t get too frustrated. If you can’t get the computer to do what you are envisioning in your mind, play with the idea for a time...but don’t use all of your available time/energy trying to get it to work. Even if you end up using an idea that is “inferior” it will be better to get the design completed. However, don’t limit yourself when working in the Creative State by only considering design concepts you know you can produce in Pyware. Dream it, then figure out how to Realize it in the software.
Use a phrase sheet! Sitting down to a blank page without an initial plan will end up wasting time.
Each page of drill must have instructions. Be sure to include: a. Reference to measure(s) of music where the movement occurs b. Who is moving (multiple listings if instructions differ for separate sections) c. Direction performers should face during the movement d. Special instructions such as horn angles, special step, moving in half time or double time, etc. Again: When? Who? Facing? How?
Use the Grid. Even though football fields don’t have a 1 step grid marked, using what is there: Hashes, Yard Lines, Midpoints, etc. will help the ensemble realize the design at a higher level. When possible, put your endpoints of forms on Yard Lines and Hashes.
I’ll be continuing my hints over the next couple of weeks.
I always love hearing from readers. Please leave a comment or help spread the word about this blog if you have found it useful/informative.—DB