Can you share an example of a sound design element that significantly impacted the overall project?

For the Western movie scene, I used ambient desert winds as a key sound design element.

In a tense standoff set in a dusty, sun-baked town, I added a consistent, low-frequency wind that subtly shifts with the scene's intensity. This choice enhanced the atmosphere and immersion, reinforcing the arid environment and adding to the scene's tension.

For example, a strong gust of wind at a critical moment heightened the drama and emphasized the characters' isolation. This subtle element made the environment feel more alive and significantly boosted the scene's emotional impact.

Recently, I worked with a client who wanted the sound to shift between dreamy and nightmarish elements based on the focus of the scenes. We used the sound of running pipes as inspiration for the nightmarish elements, processing and pitching them down to evoke a sense of loneliness and discomfort. This sound became a central theme throughout the film, serving as a cue that signaled impending tension. Everything else in the project was built around this sound, which ultimately defined the film’s atmosphere and shifted the direction toward a more ambiance-focused sound design than initially planned.