Presentation I did for our XD Expo event at Molecular.

1. Boing. Bleep. Swoosh?
Interactive Sound Design
Ricardo Salema
01.24.08
XD Experience Design

2. What is Sound Design?

3. What is Sound Design?

4. What is Sound Design?
• "The manipulation of audio elements to achieve a desired effect."

5. What is Sound Design?
• "The manipulation of audio elements to achieve a desired effect."
• Includes all sound elements of a film, a play, performance, recording,
interactive games or multimedia project.

6. What is Sound Design?
• "The manipulation of audio elements to achieve a desired effect."
• Includes all sound elements of a film, a play, performance, recording,
interactive games or multimedia project.
• The term does not usually apply to music or a soundtrack

7. What is Sound Design?
• "The manipulation of audio elements to achieve a desired effect."
• Includes all sound elements of a film, a play, performance, recording,
interactive games or multimedia project.
• The term does not usually apply to music or a soundtrack
• Can be over looked in Interactive Projects and there are other barriers

8. Breaking Through

9. Breaking Through
• Common barriers
• Cost

10. Breaking Through
• Common barriers
• Cost
• Project type

11. Breaking Through
• Common barriers
• Cost
• Project type
• Team or client resistance

12. Breaking Through
• Common barriers
• Cost
• Project type
• Team or client resistance
• Lack of planning

13. Why Use Sound in Interactive Design

14. Why Use Sound in Interactive Design

15. Why Use Sound in Interactive Design
• Users are expecting more because of other experiences they
engage in everyday

16. Why Use Sound in Interactive Design
• Users are expecting more because of other experiences they
engage in everyday
• Interactive experiences need to compete in the same space as other
forms of digital entertainment such as films and games

17. Why Use Sound in Interactive Design
• Users are expecting more because of other experiences they
engage in everyday
• Interactive experiences need to compete in the same space as other
forms of digital entertainment such as films and games
• Particularly as we ask users to engage in branded entertainment

18. Basic Communication

19. Basic Communication
GREETING
COMPLETION
WARNINGS

20. GREETING
“Hello” friendly tones with melodic quality

21. GREETING
“Hello” friendly tones with melodic quality

22. COMPLETION
“Goodbye” short and concise, trails off at end

23. COMPLETION
“Goodbye” short and concise, trails off at end

24. WARNING
“Run for you lives!” unpleasant and repetitive

25. WARNING
“Run for you lives!” unpleasant and repetitive

26. Mood

27. Mood

28. Mood

29. Mood
• Texture • Lighting
• Location • Atmosphere
• Memory • Collective associations

30. Brand: Audio Identity
We think about visual identity, also need to think
about it’s audio identity

31. Brand Sound Quiz

32. Brand Sound Quiz

33. Brand Sound Quiz

34. Brand Sound Quiz

35. Brand Sound Quiz

36. Brand Sound Quiz

37. Brand Sound Quiz

38. Brand Sound Quiz

39. Brand Sound Quiz

40. Brand Sound Quiz

41. www.c-class.co.uk

42. www.sonyericsson.com/musictrip

44. ‣ LAUNCH

46. “The sounds a product makes are there to contribute
to its usability, enjoyment, and brand identity—in
some cases in more compelling ways than its
form or functionality.”
Max Lord
“Why Is That Thing Beeping? A Sound Design Primer”
Boxes and Arrows
2004/08/30

47. Usability
Usability

48. Usability

49. Usability
• Sound is NOT an effective way to communicate
complex information

50. Usability
• Sound is NOT an effective way to communicate
complex information
• Sounds can suggest SUCCESS or task COMPLETION

51. Usability
• Sound is NOT an effective way to communicate
complex information
• Sounds can suggest SUCCESS or task COMPLETION
• Find sounds that do not become tired-sounding

52. Usability
• Sound is NOT an effective way to communicate
complex information
• Sounds can suggest SUCCESS or task COMPLETION
• Find sounds that do not become tired-sounding
• Too much of a good thing

53. Process: Basic Design Rules

54. Process: Basic Design Rules
• Same parameters of basic design apply

55. Process: Basic Design Rules
• Same parameters of basic design apply
• Aural explorations as part of initial discovery work

56. Process: Basic Design Rules
• Same parameters of basic design apply
• Aural explorations as part of initial discovery work
• Review and listen in context

57. Process: Basic Design Rules
• Same parameters of basic design apply
• Aural explorations as part of initial discovery work
• Review and listen in context
• Narrative use - break into cues - define time and emotion
communicated

58. Process: Basic Design Rules
• Same parameters of basic design apply
• Aural explorations as part of initial discovery work
• Review and listen in context
• Narrative use - break into cues - define time and emotion
communicated
• Application or product design

59. Process: Basic Design Rules
• Same parameters of basic design apply
• Aural explorations as part of initial discovery work
• Review and listen in context
• Narrative use - break into cues - define time and emotion
communicated
• Application or product design
• Equipment and technical knowledge

60. Process: Basic Design Rules
• Same parameters of basic design apply
• Aural explorations as part of initial discovery work
• Review and listen in context
• Narrative use - break into cues - define time and emotion
communicated
• Application or product design
• Equipment and technical knowledge
• Plant the seed early, and allow time in schedule

61. Describing Sound
Describing sound is not easy - people tend to start making up words or
vocalizations to imitate what they mean

62. Describing Sound
Describing sound is not easy - people tend to start making up words or
vocalizations to imitate what they mean
METAL
GLASS
W O OD
STONE

64. Thank You