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Sound DesignThe study

Sound Design

About the study

Study
Bachelor Creative Media and Game Technologies
Mode of study
Full-time
Academy
Music and Technology
Grade
Bachelor of Science
Duration
4 years
ECTS
240
Type
Bachelor
Language
Dutch
Registration-code
30036
Location(s)
IBB-laan
Email
sz@hku.nl
Phone
+31 (0)30-2091540
Like all graduation paths, Sound Design offers a mix of music, sound and technology. The focus of this particular direction is: how do you use technology for creating meaningful sound? Examples are sound that pull you into a VR world, or that enhances the theme of a theatre piece. But you could also be creating your own dance track.

Our study programme teaches you to adopt a broad view: how do people experience sound and how do you use technology to play with these experiences? You learn how you can apply sound to add an extra dimension to other media, such as a movie or game. Or how your self-made sounds can add a unique style to your music tracks, by exploring the boundaries between music and sound.

You learn all this by trying out and experimenting in projects. And while you are actively creating, you also get to learn the theory and develop your own style. We constantly challenge you to broaden your perspective. We do not only teach you ‘which button does what’, but also about the advantages and limitations of the various DAWs and how people perceive sound. We also let you work with various musical genres and cultures, allowing you to make more informed choices.

Central to this programme are the questions: what story do you want to tell, which means should you apply for that and in which style? In doing so, you automatically learn which tools you need for that. Naturally, you don’t have to understand all the technology inside-out at the start of your studies. More important is that you are willing to try out new things and dare to challenge your own conceptions about sound. Whether you end up creating dance tracks, soundtracks for arthouse films or design your very own sound library, doesn't really matter to us. What we do care about, is that you develop a broad enough perspective to make your own well-informed decisions and are able to build a lasting and diverse career.

This programme is in Dutch only!

Please only apply if you are able to read and write Dutch. To see all details, please see the Dutch language version of this page.

Go to Dutch page

Sound DesignWhat will you learn
Sound Design

What will you learn

  • You develop a musical insight and learn to analyse the structure of various types of music and sound.
  • You learn everything about the meaning of sound and how it’s experienced in all its various contexts. For example, within the fields of studio technology/live audio, creative system design, sound design and sonic interaction design.
  • You learn to come up with creative solutions through developing concepts and conducting research.
  • You learn entrepreneurial skills. What does the professional field look like? How can you best present yourself? How to get clients and assignments? You will learn how to prepare yourself for your career.

Structure of the programme

Year 1

The first year is the same for all students. You are introduced to many diverse and general subjects: the structures of the various musical genres, the characteristics of tones and sounds, how technology can be used to create and manipulate sound, and the basics of programming. You not have to excel in all subjects. The main purpose of this broad introduction is that you get a general overview of the work field. You thereby lay the foundation for your own position, while you learn to cooperate in a team.

Year 2

In the second team, you maintain your broad perspective, yet also start zooming in on your own future position within the professional field. You do this by selecting two of the seven focus areas within the course. You focus on these areas in two blocks, each consisting of projects, task groups and theory classes. Both the theory and the practice are meant to teach you how to make your own creative productions, in the way that appeals to you personally.

Year 3

In year 3, it’s time to choose your professional and artistic profile within your field. Like in the second year, you start with two blocks that are aimed at your focus areas, again with projects, task groups and theory classes. After that, you do an internship in which you put everything you learned so far to the test in practice. The year ends with a large project in which you further sharpen your profile and knowledge. You can also do this abroad.

Year 4

In year 4, your projects are complemented by a thorough research that supports your creative practice and further distinguishes your own personal profile. The second part of the year is spent on your graduation, that serves as the bridge between your studies and your future professional practice. Within a company, collective or a network that you form with a number of fellow students, you work on assignments that are focused on practice. This work also serves as your calling card to your future work field.

Sound DesignWhat you will be creating
Sound Design

What you will be creating

Sound Design is about much more than creating sound for movies. You can be employed at any place that needs meaningful sounds or acoustic effects. Movies are one example, but this can also be for theatre, games or podcasts. Or you can choose a wholly different path, and become an independent artist. Wherever sound is needed to evoke the right emotions or reactions, there’s an opportunity for you.

As a Sound Designer, you work as an independent professionalon projects, or as employee at a studio. You often have to cooperate with other professional fields, such as the movie, games or theatre industries, or the corporate sector. You determine which user experience and sound experience are needed, while working from you own unique vision. Another requirement is that you monitor the whole creative process: reacting quickly and deciding what you will create in response to the demand, and how to realise it technically.

For these reasons, the professional field has a high demand for people who have learned more than ‘mastering a trick’, but who bring along their own vision and maintain a clear overview. After graduating in this course, you have your own, well-substantiated vision on sound experience and how to create it through technology. This enables you to offer a valuable contribution to each project you’re involved with. In short: the professional field is waiting for you!

Sound DesignCurrent news
Sound Design

What's happening?

Sound DesignApplication and Admission
Sound Design

Application and Admission

Language requirement

The programme is only taught in Dutch. To be enrolled you must meet the Dutch language requirement. Find more information here.

Detailed information about requirements, application and admission, can only be found on the Dutch language version of this page.

Go to Dutch page

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