Sound & Storytelling

Creating Your World

As a storyteller, it is also important to consider the “yes, and…” philosophy. This technique can help with world building and overall creative stimulation. Once your world has been fully introduced, it is crucial to remember the rules that you created. Sticking to the laws of your world will ensure continuity across the piece, making it more captivating. These laws can include anything from the physical laws that include natural and geographical principles to narrative laws that focus on social and cultural principles.

Sound

In motion design, sound is a dynamic force that is meant to react to action. Sound is very important and can propel a narrative forward based on what the animator wants you to perceive and feel.


Diegetic vs. Non-Diegetic

Before harnessing the power of sound in your animation, it is crucial to understand the varying forms it can take and how to use them. For example, there is a crucial distinction between diegetic sound and non-diegetic sound. Diegetic sounds emanate from visible sources on screen or implied actions off screen. This can include a dog park or creaking doors. However, a non-diegetic sound originates from outside the scene’s context such as a sad trombone or a narration. Both of these types of sounds are important to consider when creating your animated piece.

How to Use

When integrating sound effects, one should prioritize quality over quantity. Not every action needs a sound effect for the animation to be understood. One should also consider adding in music to create an overall emotional tone and rhythm for the scenes. If it works for the narrative, you can also integrate a voiceover or text animations that mark the beats of the story. 

Hi! My name is Kristin Ardese and I am a professional Graphic Designer and Marketing Strategist. I hope that by sharing some of my expertise, I can help offer valuable insights and build an engaging community.

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