Comments on: Perspectives on Sound Design

By: Anthony C

Anthony C — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 18:47:53 +0000

I would first like to start off by thanking you for the article! I would have to agree on a few points made in this article. The political view point is one that seems to be making everything a little difficult to understand. In its purest form I take the word “Sound Designer” and the role that it encompasses such that as an artist. I don’t see a difference in roles just one uses sound rather than paint to add color if you will to a blank (silent) canvass.

I would have to agree with you Erik that there is some clarification that is needed within the industry to better define the difference there are in the many roles in Audio. In this day and age, a composer can easily fall into the role of editing sound as well as the opposite. A “sound designer” I think as of late has been taking on more and more creative expressions and roles to better help those in varies genres to better convey stories on a sonic level. And I think it is with that that there is so confusion or obscurity with what the role really entails.

The industry is moving really fast these days and the need for individuals who have a deep understanding of the sound world is somewhat drowned out by the noise that has of the market place right now. The line between consumer/pro-sumer/and the professional is being blurred and it is harder for anyone who is not established to get established or make their “voice” be heard. There is a need out there for those who are inexperienced to learn and it far and few in between that there are those who will teach.

With any field be it film,tv,games,or stage…there is one thing that echos across all these outlets and that is sound. There will always be a need for it and there will always be a want for those of us passionate enough to use our sonic palette to paint the picture that needs to be heard. For this industry is also changing and “artist” such as ourselves, young or old should be changing and growing with it. Always learning something new, respecting the rules that have been placed but also having the courage to break them to discover new sonic avenues.

By: ErikG

ErikG — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 19:08:20 +0000

Oh, forgot…
Thanks a lot for the article!

By: ErikG

ErikG — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 19:06:33 +0000

Interestingly enough I fully understand why you got stuck at the political discussion.
It’s a complex issue that really is screaming for a definition.
Without a definition it’s use really is meaningless imho.
We all have varying ideas of what a sound designer is and does. We all agree on a few minute points but mostly disagree in it’s broader use.

I do come from a “cinematic composition” and “audio-visual narrative” context…
And here it’s use gets highly confused…

Is a student sound designer a sound designer just because she wants to be?
If she is, then is she then higher on the totempole than a lowly sound editor with years of experience in editing and designing sounds? Of course not. But then in general the term sound designer is used for roles in film and TV production that are more advanced and not a role given to a beginner.

But there are many courses in “sound design” and that really defines you as a sound designer?

Or is a sound designer the person in charge of the overall artistic sound concept of a project/game/film/show/TV? This is how I use it. but as that isnt the way everyone uses it. It really does not matter that I think it should be used this way…

So yes I think the role of a sound designer needs a official definition.