Sound Design for Visual Media
DIPLOMA | 12 MONTHS | FULL TIME | ON CAMPUS
Learn film/TV post-production audio and game audio in one accelerated year 鈥� recording,
sound design, Foley/ADR, mixing, and Wise implementation for interactive media.
Program Overview
Duration:
12 months (6 terms, full-time)
Location:
Vancouver, Canada (Campus)
Credential:
Diploma, Sound Design for Visual Media
Grad Deliverable:
Final post-production audio project and game collaboration credit(s), with portfolio website
Core Tools:
Pro Tools, Wwise, field recorders/mics, post labs, and mixing theatre
Training Focus:
Film/TV post-production and interactive game audio
What You鈥檒l Graduate With:
Production-ready sound design skills, along with a powerful multi-piece production portfolio
Start Dates:
Multiple intakes per year
Tuition:
Domestic students: C$28,950
International students: C$44,000
Career Paths:
Sound Designer, Sound Effects Editor, Dialogue/ADR/Foley Editor, Mix Assistant, Game Audio Designer/Implementer
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START YOUR TRAINING
Program Focus Areas
Core Training Areas 鈥� From Film/TV Post to Game Audio
This program trains you across two professional worlds: linear post-production and interactive game audio. Early training builds a full foundation in sound design, while later work allows you to focus on the creative sector that interests you most.
- Dialogue editing and cleanup mindset
- Foley and ADR workflows (sessions, performance, sync, editorial)
- Sound effects design and ambience building
- Post mixing workflows (stems, automation, delivery standards)
Portfolio outcome: A finished post audio project with a clear breakdown: dialogue, Foley/ADR, FX, ambiences, mix decisions.
- Wwise structure: events, soundbanks, states/RTPCs, attenuation
- Implementation logic: triggers, parameters, optimization
- Iteration inside an evolving build (agile workflow, changing requirements)
- Real-time mixing/tuning and performance awareness
Portfolio outcome: Implemented game audio with a breakdown: event architecture, state/parameter logic, before/after comparisons.
Explore Student Portfolios
While training at 杏吧直播间, students are immersed in the Sound Design for Visual Media industry, and spend a lot of hands-on time creating professional-quality work. And, nothing is a greater testament to the incomparable industry resources and career preparation that define 杏吧直播间鈥檚 education model, than the top quality work our students produce. Here, a portfolio of outstanding work is just the beginning. Just take a look.
Overwatch Cinematic Trailer
Created by Huston Wielenga
Mass Effect 3
Created by Gentry Jones
Deux Ex
Created by David Tinoco Gallardo
What You鈥檒l Learn
- Understand signal flow, microphones, and recording fundamentals
- Capture clean sound in studio and in the field; build a usable sound library
- Use synthesis/MIDI tools as part of sound design (not just music)
- Edit dialogue, FX, and ambiences with professional session structure
- Build soundscapes using layering, perspective editing, and editorial judgement
- Record and cut Foley and ADR; learn session prep and studio etiquette
- Mix with automation, dynamics, and time-based processing to serve story
- Learn sound crew roles and on-set communication
- Handle real production constraints: time pressure, problem-solving, collaboration
- Build interactive audio systems: events, objects, soundbanks, attenuation
- Design with real-time variables (states/parameters) and optimize resources
- Implement and iterate within an agile development cycle with real milestones
- Understand scripting basics (Python foundations) to communicate with technical teams
- Work faster and cleaner through iteration, versioning habits, and production expectations
SPEAK WITH A 杏吧直播间 ADVISOR TODAY
Career Outcomes After Graduation
Vancouver Film School鈥檚 signature, hands-on training starts from day 1. By the time you graduate, you鈥檒l have developed an industry-ready skill set that will prepare you for a variety of careers:
- Sound Designer
- Sound Effects Editor
- Dialogue/ADR/Foley Editor
- Mix Assistant
- Game Audio Designer/Implementer
Faculty
Vancouver Film School鈥檚 Faculty consists of the most highly trained professionals in the creative industries. While our full-time instructors provide more one-on-one time with students than other film schools, our part-time instructors are pulled right from the heart of the industry, equipped with the most current, relevant industry experience and credits.
Course Content
- Intro to MIDI and Synthesis
- Intro to Sound
- Intro to Pro Tools
- Team Building
- Intro to Portable Recording
- Portable Recording 2
- Intro to Post Recording
- Intro to Game Audio
Outcome: Understand the fundamentals of sound, recording, and signal flow. Learn Pro Tools basics, portable recording techniques, and the differences between linear (film/TV) and interactive (game) audio while beginning to create and implement sound assets.
- Intro to Sound Designing
- Intro to Mixing
- Intro to Post Audio Editing
- Production Sound Mixing
- Post Recording 3
- Game Audio 2
- Scripting (Python)
Outcome: Develop core sound design and editing skills, learn mixing fundamentals, and gain hands-on experience with production sound and ADR/Foley workflows. Begin working with interactive audio systems and basic programming concepts.
- Pro Tools 2
- Sound Designing 2
- Mixing 2
- Post Editing 2
- Game Audio 3 (Wwise)
- Game Collaboration Project
Outcome: Advance your editing, mixing, and sound design skills while learning professional workflows in Pro Tools and Wwise. Begin working on a collaborative game project and implementing audio within interactive systems.
- Intro to Post Mixing
- Post Mixing 2
- Post Audio Editing 3
- Game Audio 4
- Game Collaboration Project
Outcome: Develop advanced post-production mixing and editing techniques while working on real collaborative projects. Expand your ability to design and implement complex interactive audio systems within game engines.
- Intro to Professional Skills
- Post Mixing 3
- Game Audio 5
- Game Collaboration Project
Outcome: Refine your mixing skills in professional environments, work within agile game production workflows, and prepare for industry expectations through real project iteration and delivery.
- Professional Skills 2
- Final Post-Production Audio Project
- Portfolio Production
- Game Collaboration Project
Outcome: Complete a final post-production audio project and finalize your portfolio, including a professional website and demo reel. Prepare for employment through interview training, portfolio presentation, and industry feedback.
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SPEAK WITH A 杏吧直播间 ADVISOR TODAY
Program Delivery
ON-CAMPUS
Our 1 year, fully in-person production-based experience, preparing you for the industry鈥檚 current practices and technologies.
杏吧直播间鈥檚 Film听Production Centre is located at 151 W. Cordova St. in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Our state-of-the-art facilities include a 64,000 cubic ft. motion capture volume, a mix stage, ADR rooms, Foley rooms, recording studios, and much more.
Portfolio Outcomes
Your Portfolio by Graduation
Every portfolio piece includes a breakdown mindset: your role, your pipeline, and proof that you can deliver under production constraints.
Book a 1-on-1 Portfolio Review
Have you ever wondered about your true creative potential? Book a review to get valuable insight into your creative work and find out if you鈥檝e got what it takes to go to 杏吧直播间.
Find Out More
Admissions
杏吧直播间 Advisors are here to answer any questions about the applications process, help you book a tour, or set you up for a free portfolio review with our industry faculty.
How to Apply Refund Policy Contact an Advisor
For more information about language requirements and other information for international students, visit the International Students page.
Tuition
On-Campus Delivery
Domestic: $28,950 CAD
International: $44,000 CAD
Start Dates: Aug. 17 | Jan. 4, 2027 | May 3, 2027
- A maximum 500 word letter of intent on why you wish to take the Sound Design program. This should detail your passion for Sound, and why you feel you would be successful in the industry. Detail any previous experience in music or on-location sound recording, sound mixing, etc. Outline why you feel you can be successful in sound design. If you have examples of audio work you have done, this should also be provided. You can send a weblink to a sound file or a compressed audio file (mp3 etc), OR
- Completion of 杏吧直播间鈥檚 Foundation Visual Art & Design program
Program FAQ
To become a sound designer, you can enrol in a sound design program or sound design course that teaches recording, editing, and mixing across film and games. A hands-on sound design school like 杏吧直播间 helps you build a portfolio and real production experience.
No prior experience is required to start a sound design program. This sound design course begins with fundamentals, making it ideal for beginners while still challenging those with some background.
This sound design program balances both sound design for film and sound design for games, giving you a foundation in post-production and interactive audio before allowing you to specialize.
You鈥檒l graduate with a portfolio featuring both sound design for film projects and sound design for games, including a final post-production piece and implemented game audio work from this sound design course.
This sound design program trains you in industry tools like Pro Tools for sound design for film and Wwise for sound design for games, along with recording equipment and mixing workflows.
This sound design school emphasizes collaboration, with students working alongside film and game teams 鈥� especially on sound design for games projects and post-production exercises.
Graduates of this sound design program can pursue roles like Sound Designer, Dialogue Editor, or Game Audio Designer, working across sound design for film and interactive media.
Yes 鈥� Vancouver is a global hub for film, TV, and game production, making it an ideal location for a sound design school focused on both sound design for film and sound design for games.
Unlike many programs, this sound design program combines sound design for film and sound design for games in one accelerated year, with a strong focus on portfolio development and real collaboration.
You can start learning independently, but a structured sound design course or sound design school provides mentorship, industry workflows, and collaboration opportunities that are hard to replicate on your own.
Yes 鈥� sound design is a growing field across entertainment industries, with opportunities in sound design for film, television, and sound design for games, especially for those with strong portfolios.
Formal education isn鈥檛 always required, but completing a sound design program or sound design course helps you build the technical skills and portfolio needed to break into the industry.
Professional workflows typically include Pro Tools for sound design for film and Wwise for sound design for games, both of which are taught in this sound design program.
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