Jabari Alii is a composer and the mind behind Cinematic Score, a music and sound design company based in Oakland, CA. "For me, inspiration has always been this ever-elusive superpower. When I could harness it, there was no stopping me. But it was sporadic, I had no control. I was like a mutant before I got to Professor Xavier's mansion." "As … [Read more...]
Inspirations / Distractions – Crystal Chan
Crystal Chan is a freelance sound designer and student of UC San Diego's Interdisciplinary Computing and the Arts program, specializing in music. She currently resides in San Diego, CA. "In my experience, it's not so much 'Inspiration and Distraction,' but 'Inspiration IN Distraction.'" ... especially when I feel like I've exhausted all of my ideas on a project, or just … [Read more...]
Inspirations / Distractions – Gordon McGladdery
Gordon McGladdery runs A Shell In The Pit Audio, a two-person game audio/music company in Vancouver, BC. He also co-hosts the Beards, Cats and Indie Game Audio podcast with Matthew Marteinsson. "I’ve learned there is a distinct difference between hobbyist/personal inspiration and professional inspiration with deadlines and accountability. I've lived through both and prefer … [Read more...]
Inspirations / Distractions – Your Stories
We're trying something new this month to keep the pace between features: a steady drip of thoughts, musings and anecdotes from voices in the wider community. Starting MON 4/11, catch a fast-flowing stream of reflections on our theme from around the industry--and the world! We've still slots for many more, so if you've got something to say, email doron [at] this … [Read more...]
Monthly Theme: Inspirations and Distractions
April already! Time flies when you aren't watching. Maybe you've been buried deep in a project--maybe you've been spacing out. This month's theme at Designing Sound is Inspirations and Distractions. How do you lash the reins to inspiration? Where have you found it in the first place? And once you've started, how do you stay on course? Maybe it's been a while … [Read more...]
GDC Roundtable Recap – SUN 3/27 5PM PST
GDC's a week in game audio overdrive, a week-long gathering that resonates all through the following year. Several of Designing Sound's editors, friends and family were fortunate enough to make the trek to San Francisco in time for this year's show. And before the embers have cooled, we thought we'd get together and make some sense out of everything we saw. So join us for … [Read more...]
Bellingham Audio in Games Event (BAIGE)
Community spotlight on: the Pacific Northwest, a uniquely concentrated locus of game audio talent goings-on. Every month, Vancouver and Seattle both host up an in- to semi-formal gathering for like-minded designers and composers, usually alternating developer showcases and bar crawls. Lots of cities do these, but it seems like these ours are particularly … [Read more...]