ITM21822 Sound design and production (Spring 2025)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Class 2023: Elective course in the Bachelor`s Programme in Digital Media and Design 

Class 2024: Mandatory course in the Bachelor`s Programme in Digital Media and Design, specialisation Sound Design.

Lecture Semester

4th semester (spring)

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge
The student understands

• fundamentals of sound and sound perception

• fundamentals of recording and digital audio

• fundamentals of sound design and applications

• use of sound in different application contexts

Skills
The student can

• design and plan a sound production

• find, create, or record sounds

• program, process, mix, and/or master sounds as appropriate to create an audio production

• make sound design decisions for a given application context

• reflect on design and aesthetic decisions

General competence
The student develops the following skills:

• reflection about aesthetic choices

• group work

• reading and understanding theory

Content

Lectures on sound and its perception and fundamentals of digital audio. Practical work with designing a sound production, finding or recording sounds, and processing with digital audio tools. Introduction to sound design. Introduction to programming for sound. Sound in use: games, soundscapes, podcasts, user interfaces, interaction, audio-visual productions, music etc.

Forms of teaching and learning

Lectures, project work, supervision, lab exercises.

Workload

approx. 250h

Examination

Group based portfolio exam (50%) and individual written exam (50%).
Individual final grade is set on the basis of two partial exams. Each partial exam must be passed to pass the entire course. Grade scale A-F.

Partial exam 1: Portfolio exam
Portfolio consists of a number of mandatory exercises leading to an audio production on a topic specified by the lecturer. Portfolio exercises are done in groups.
Portfolio exam counts for 50% of the total grade for the course. Individual grades A-F are given.

Partial exam 2: Individual written exam (50%)
2 hours written exam. No aids allowed.
Written exam counts for 50% of the total grade. Individual grades A-F are given.

Examiners

External and internal examinator or two internal examinators will be involved in the assessment.

Conditions for resit/rescheduled exams

Upon re-examination, each part of the examination can be retaken. In case of resit or rescheduled examinations, the portfolio exam must be taken in connection with the next ordinary course examination. The head of department may decide to arrange a postponed examination in the following semester for students with a valid absence from the ordinary examination.

Course evaluation

This course is evaluated by a:

• End of term evaluation (compulsory)

The responsible for the course compiles a report based on the feedback from the students and his/her own experience with the course. The report is discussed by the study quality committee at the Department of Computer Science and Communication.

Literature

The current reading list for 2024 Spring can be found in Leganto