Project Overview

Over the past few weeks, we have explored core principles of composition in visual and audio media. We’ve analyzed real-world examples, built collections of material, and developed audio interpretations of visual material and visual interpretations of audio material. This final assignment is an opportunity to further refine the material you’ve worked on.

By building our work methodically in Activity 04, 05 and 06, we have completed the lion’s share of this project! It was a challenge to demonstrate technical skill and comprehension of design principles. Now, you’ll have an opportunity to refine your work + reflect on your personal design sensibilities and decision-making process.

Objectives

  • Develop a multi-modal composition that integrates sound and visuals.
  • Apply principles of visual composition and audio design.
  • Use an iterative process to refine and enhance design choices.
  • Justify creative decisions through critical analysis and documentation.

Your Task

Refine the work developed in Activities 04, 05, and 06 into a final, polished piece. This will include:

  • A 15-45s refined soundscape, using multiple sound sources (it can be longer, but we’ll only assess 15-45s of it)
  • A revised visual composition.
  • A written design rationale explaining how sound and image interact, how each informs the other, and how iteration and refinement proceeded.

This project should demonstrate thoughtful and intentional use of the principles of composition across media. There should be a clear and meaningful relationship between sound and image.

Assessment Criteria

  • Visual Composition (35%) – Effective use of the principles of composition and technical skill.
  • Sound Composition (35%) – Effective use of technology and layering, effects, spatial depth, and sonic storytelling.
  • Design Rationale & Process (30%) – Clarity and depth of analysis in explaining design choices, composition, and iteration.

Deliverables

Research Archive & Process Documentation

Submit a well-organized Google Drive folder containing:

  • All original materials (e.g., source images, recorded or found sounds)
  • Project files (.ai for Illustrator, .sesx for Audition)
  • Final exports (.png for image, .mp3 or .wav for audio)
  • Notes, sketches, test versions, and process documentation
  • A clearly labeled folder structure

Final Composition

Sound Composition (Adobe Audition)

  • A 30-45 second soundscape refined from your Activity 05 materials and your Activity 06 soundscape
  • Should demonstrate a clear connection to your visual work. It may reinforce, contrast, or complicate the image.

Visual Composition (Illustrator)

  • A refined (and/or abstracted) version of your Activity 06 visual design. Emphasize the elements that are most reinforced or reflected in your soundscape.
  • Consider the use of typography, abstraction, contrast, spatial organization, et cetera.

Presentation (In-Person)

  • Show and tell visual + sound.  No need for a slide deck.  The work should stand on its own, but be ready to answer questions and receive peer critiques.
  • Feel free to present either in-person, online, or record + submit a video.

Design Rationale (500-1000 Words)

  • Explanation of how your choice of image shaped your sound design.
  • Explanation of how your sound design shaped your revision of your image.
  • Describe the techniques you used in Adobe Audition and Illustrator.
  • Talk about how principles of composition guided your decisions.
  • Reflect on what you learned through the process of iteration and refinement.

Final Deliverables

  1. Presentation: Presentations of the elements in process, submitted for peer review.  Peer feedback will be collected to inform the final iteration.
  2. End of the Semester: Final version of the composition will be submitted as part of the Research Archive to the instructor, showcasing the completed multi-modal composition, along with a design rationale.

Final submission will come in the form of addition to your portfolio, which is built from the material of Project 2.