Learning Outcomes for Game Sound Design

Creative Thinking and Aesthetic Appreciation

• Actively listen to and analyze music for its harmonic, rhythmic, and melodic components.
• Identify and evaluate various styles of music, describing how these styles function, relate to and/or function in a variety of contexts, including cultural contexts.
• Recognize the underlying principles guiding the relevant aesthetics of a particular genre of work, audio movement, or musician/sound designer.
• Differentiate and explain what is aesthetically successful or unsuccessful.
• Identify and apply foundational theories and approaches that inform contemporary creative work in the area of sound design and composition.
• Synthesize trends, theories, and movements in the development of new ideas.

Critical Thinking and Critique

• Deconstruct and analyze one’s own work and the work of others to evaluate the technical and aesthetic quality.
• Explain and justify the elements of one’s own presented argument, creative work, or process.
• Listen to, evaluate, and respond critically to the ideas of others.
• Solve problems utilizing resources to find the best solutions to development challenges.
• Rapidly iterate and critically reexamine each challenge or obstacle to arrive at the optimal outcome.
• Identify various audience segments and show evidence of being able to adapt to those audiences.

Sonic Arts and Artistic Direction

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of rhythm, harmony, and melody.
• Describe, analyze, and apply song form in order to create effective compositions in a variety of gaming contexts.
• Develop game scores to meet specific professional scenarios and requirements.
• Create music and sound to serve specific functions in different media.
• Conceptualize, in a clear and concise way, the audio direction for a game or specific game assets using traditional or digitally facilitated rendering methods.
• Develop and manage a successful, professional, artistic workflow for the organization and delivery of the game and game assets.

Written, Oral, and Group Communication

• Convey ideas, information, and intentions effectively and in a manner that is appropriate to the topic, situation, and audience during presentation and critique.
• Listen effectively in order to interpret accurately and critically the oral and nonverbal messages produced by others, and display regard for other speakers’ points of view while remaining constructive in critique.
• Research, organize, evaluate, and document gathered information for presentational purposes.
• Write effectively in a style that is well-organized, easy to follow, and supported by sufficient and appropriate evidence.
• Express oneself clearly and appropriately during small group and team collaborations.

Quantitative Literacy

• Identify and communicate rules of number, pattern manipulation, and associated terminology for game sound design and production tools and processes.
• Effectively apply computational, arithmetic, geometric, and algebraic skills to solve problems.
• Estimate time, number, and solutions to determine outcomes and evaluate alternatives.

Use of Technology

• Demonstrate technical proficiency in using music and sound design software.
• Identify and anticipate new technology and rapidly adapt to the changing technological landscape.
• Understand the role technology plays in the creative process, collaboration, and individual practice.
• Effectively use the features in a digital audio workstation to develop gaming scores.
• Develop a professional degree of technical proficiency using computer hardware and software appropriate to the game development industry in the creation of sound for games.
• Demonstrate full understanding of the audio production chain from recording (mic placement, pre amplification, signal levels) to final mastering (equalization, compression, automation, etc.).

Emotional Intelligence: Personal, Social, and Global Awareness

• Articulate, analyze, and evaluate the meanings, social contexts, and ethical choices in your work.
• Understand the impact of intellectual property, plagiarism, and copyright laws on your professional work.
• Assess game scores as a reflection of culture.
• Take full responsibility for your creative work and its reception before a global audience.
• Listen empathetically and convey empathy for others.
• Find a balance that allows others to express alternative viewpoints while still effectively asserting oneself.
• Overcome personal ego-centricities, prejudices, and ownership issues in order to produce the best work possible for the team and maintain a healthy collaborative environment.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by taking responsibility for maintaining a safe and supportive working environment for all.