Portret van Louis Andriessen. Een oudere man met bril. Hij draagt een net donkergrijs pak met een wit overhemd. De achtergrond lijkt een donkergrijs theatergordijn. Louis Andriessen lijkt op de rand van een podium te zitten. Het portret toont hem van hoofd tot knieën.

Design sprint method: A journey of discovery with Louis Andriessen

Last year, Louis Andriessen, the Netherlands' most influential composer, passed away. How can we honor his work in a digital context? How can it remain interesting for younger generations, and how can we reach them? Can his work also open new paths for other composers, musicians, creators, and enthusiasts in this context?

3 min. read1 jan `21

Knowledge & Inspiration

These questions are being explored in a collaboration between DEN, Podiumkunst.net, friends of the composer, and New Music Now. We are investigating what is needed to digitally bring together his work and ideas. For example, in the form of existing recordings and information, registrations of current concerts, articles or podcasts with musicians who know his work well, or a listening course.

The path to the platform

To arrive at a prototype of the platform, DEN organized a Design Sprint. An inspiring methodology to arrive at a prototype with a large number of stakeholders in a short period of time. DOOR, the cultural label of the design agency In10, facilitated this five-day sprint with the following setup:

Fases in een design sprint: map, sketch, decide, prototype en test

Day 1: MAP: Expert talks, objectives & challenges

Day 2: SKETCH: Collect examples of other websites, design yourself

Day 3: DECIDE: Present designs, choose usable elements

Day 4: PROTOTYPE: Build the prototype

Day 5: TEST: With participants from the user group

The first three days were consecutive, and the prototype and test days took place the following week over two days. As a result, significant outcomes were achieved in a short time.

Read more about the design sprint process. Download the pdf.

Why a platform?

The aim is to take the audience on a journey of discovery with Louis Andriessen. The foundation is the development of an online platform that brings together important sources and makes them accessible to the public in a user-friendly way. A platform that can be continuously expanded, making it a lasting source of inspiration for new performances, reuse, reinterpretation, and new discoveries. The I in Archive was used as a starting point to visualize the broad network surrounding Louis Andriessen.

Outcomes

The prototype developed by DOOR provides a virtual stage for Louis Andriessen and his belief that all music is about other music. Visitors can easily get acquainted with Louis Andriessen, his music, and its broader context. They also discover how his work has influenced other musicians from both the past and present. Connections with Spotify and Instagram are also intended to attract a younger audience. Those seeking more depth can find it in listening, viewing, and reading tips.