elpais.com
Sound Design for Ambiance: A Psychologist's Approach to Curating Music for Businesses
Soledad Rodríguez Zubieta, a psychologist with a background in cultural management and radio, designs soundscapes for businesses worldwide, selecting music that complements the environment and brand identity, addressing client expectations and the well-being of staff.
- What is the core service offered by Soledad Rodríguez Zubieta, and what is its significance?
- Rodríguez Zubieta provides "sound decoration" services, selecting music for diverse spaces like hotels and restaurants. This is significant because it enhances the ambiance and customer experience, differentiating businesses through carefully curated soundscapes.
- How does Rodríguez Zubieta's approach to music selection differ from typical practices, and what factors influence her choices?
- Unlike typical approaches that focus solely on mood, Rodríguez Zubieta considers the location, target audience demographics, brand identity, and staff well-being. This holistic approach ensures the music complements the entire environment and enhances customer and employee experience. She also leverages a custom app for remote playlist management.
- What are the broader implications of Rodríguez Zubieta's work, and how might her approach influence future trends in business environments?
- Rodríguez Zubieta's work highlights the growing importance of sensory experiences in brand building and customer engagement. Her approach suggests a future trend of more thoughtful, personalized soundscapes in commercial spaces, improving both consumer satisfaction and staff well-being. The use of technology for remote playlist management represents a key aspect of this trend.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents Soledad Rodríguez Zubieta's (SRZ) career in a positive light, highlighting her success and unique approach to 'sound decoration.' The narrative focuses on her creativity and expertise, showcasing her as a visionary in the field. While this framing is not inherently biased, it could be enhanced by including perspectives from clients or competitors to provide a more balanced view.
Language Bias
The language used is largely descriptive and neutral. However, terms like "visionary" and "unique approach" subtly convey admiration and could be replaced with more objective descriptions, such as "innovative" or "novel approach." The description of her work as 'contagious joy' is subjective and potentially overly enthusiastic.
Bias by Omission
The article omits potential challenges SRZ faced in establishing her business, such as financial struggles or initial client acquisition difficulties. It also lacks perspectives from clients on their experience working with SRZ. These omissions, while likely due to space constraints, might present an overly idealized picture of her career journey.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a dichotomy between the 'pre-Spotify' era of music discovery and the current digital age, suggesting the former was superior in terms of depth and engagement. While this is a valid observation, it oversimplifies the diverse experiences of music consumption across different eras and ignores the benefits of digital access to a broader range of music.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses the shift in music consumption from physical media to digital platforms. Soledad Rodriguez Zubieta reflects on the impact of this shift, noting a loss of depth and a more disposable approach to music consumption. This relates to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by highlighting the environmental and social consequences of unsustainable consumption patterns in the digital age. The emphasis on mindful consumption and appreciation for music, contrasting it with the current trend of easily discarding digital music, directly supports the goal of promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns.