Sound vs. Visual Effect: Does it have to be either/or?

Recently, having the good fortune of making new friends as I introduce our new product to the industry, an important question came up:  Is your focus for Designer Violins the sound or visual effect?

Simply put,  it is both. Children may not naturally understand the aesthetic value of a beautiful piece of wood or even the fine carving of the violin.  But they do relate to stimuli that engage their imagination and senses.  Our aim is to achieve both quality of instrument plus an aesthetic that is relatable to young children.
In addition, it's our philosophy that engaging children in music in a manner that stimulates multiple senses, can develop a more complete musical understanding and experience.

But we are also responding to a larger picture, namely the currents of the music world and how they are playing out on string players.  Certainly there are opportunities that didn't exist years ago, despite the fact that certain sectors of the industry are having a more difficult time in the tough economy.  With rock stars that include violinists in their band and string players finding their way into mainstream media, it is impossible not to be influenced by the large and multiple scale productions in pop music.  Years ago it might have been fine to play on a standard body violin, but now, now there's Mark Wood and NS Design and now there's Rozanna's Violins, which explores the visual and sonic possibilities of the performer who's artistic output may incorporate visual drama, including the look of the violin.  Is it sacrilege to take a cue from the thriving guitar world and develop instruments with visual impact beyond the traditional look that has proven it's worth for centuries? Or is it Darwinism in action? Is it the violin and the violinist being forced to  evolve so that it may continue to serve a purpose in the world at large?

These are questions that percolating string players may choose to ask themselves. In the meantime, we'll keep making instruments, if for no other reason than the fact that they put a smile on children's faces.