Sound Design for Visual Media Program

How to Apply

Discover Canada's premier sound design program at Vancouver Film School (VFS). Our industry-leading courses prepare students for lifelong careers in the sound design industry, offering unparalleled training in a creative, production-based environment.

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About the Sound Design Program & Industry

Sound Design for Visual Media is an accelerated, production-based program that fully trains artists for the sound design industry in 1 year. Our faculty is comprised of veteran instructors recruited straight from the world of sound design, and our curriculum is regularly updated to keep up with the ever-evolving industry. We forge strong industry partnerships, including Avid Protools, McDSP, and Native Instruments, which ensures our Sound Design students graduate with a strong network of connections for their careers.

Alumni Success

Vancouver Film School grads are some of the most successful and sought-after professionals in the entire Sound Design industry. You will find our alumni working all over the globe, pushing boundaries, discovering new frontiers, winning all kinds of awards and honours, and leading today’s creative economy.

Poster highlighting credits by Vancouver Film School students.
Image featuring industry projects worked on by VFS program graduates. Image highlighting film & TV credits from VFS program alumni. Image showcasing film, TV, & game projects worked on by VFS program graduates. Image showcasing credits by Vancouver Film School students.

Sound Design Program Testimonials

At the end of the Sound Design program, a number of local industry professionals came to hear our final projects and provide us with critical feedback. At this event, one of the industry professionals was the VP of a local post-production studio. He asked me to come see him after graduation to discuss potential contract work. We reviewed my demo reel at this meeting and the next day I was working.

Craig George

Sound Design for Visual Media Graduate

The Haunting Hour, The L Word

The Sound Design program at VFS allowed me to completely reinvent myself. I went from a boring, mindless job to a challenging and creative career. I was able to apply practical knowledge from the Sound Design program into a variety of film, TV, and game projects.

Dorian Pareis

Sound Design for Visual Media Graduate

Snakes on a Plane

I learned more in my one year at VFS than I did in my four years as an undergrad at university.

Jodie Kupsco

Sound Design for Visual Media Graduate

Dead Rising 2

VFS was the launching point for my career, it was the turning point that took me from a small town to traveling the world doing what I love, creating engaging experiences. The contacts I made and the guidance of the Instructors were a key factor in why I am where I am today. I hold a recommendation for a student from the instructors at VFS in the highest regard and will continually look at hiring alumni from this school as a source for people I would want to have on any team, it is a breeding ground for talented, passionate and reliable people.

Steve Bigras

Sound Design for Visual Media Graduate

Mass Effect 2 & 3, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age: Inquisition

A VFS Sound Design for Visual Media Education

In 12 months you will graduate with:

  • A diploma in Sound Design for Visual Media
  • A personal demo reel and lifetime access to the online VFS sound effects library
  • Access to the VFS Alumni Directory & Job Board
  • Attain industry connections that will help guide your career

Sound Design for Visual Media
Program Overview

 

Term 01

Discover the current industry practices in audio, and familiarize yourself with the main audio tool of the industry, Pro Tools.

Term 02

Implement concepts, theory, and tools from the previous term in projects that involve editing background audio, Foley, dialogue, and sound effects.

Term 03

Explore more complex techniques and concepts, and gain practical knowledge in game audio while working on a Game Design-created game.

Term 04

Expand on your skill sets with practical knowledge while working on a film with students the Film program and a game from Game Design students.

Term 05

Become more self-directed as you delve deeper into sound for film and game audio.

Term 06

Present your final portfolio work to an industry panel for feedback and industry prep training to direct your path after graduation.

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Admissions Info

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Requirements

You will be asked to submit one of the following along with your application. Your advisor can help with selecting the best option.

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 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).

When you talk to your Advisor, let them know that you've completed the Foundation program and they will put a copy of your diploma in your file for you.

For more about language requirements and other information for international students, visit the International Students page.

Student Work

While training at VFS, 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 VFS’s education model, than the top quality work our students produce. Here, a portfolio of outstanding work is just the beginning. Just take a look.

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Overwatch Cinematic Trailer

 

Created by Huston Wielenga

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Play a video of a VFS student project from our Sound Design for Visual Media Program.
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Mass Effect 3

 

Created by Gentry Jones

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Deux Ex

 

Created by David Tinoco Gallardo

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Industry Partners

VFS doesn't just teach you about the industry, it IS the industry. In addition to the many networking opportunities (workshop sessions, training presentations, industry social events), our numerous partnerships immerse our students in the world of sound design to ensure they are ready to be hired immediately after graduating.

  • AVID: Avid is the industry leader in digital audio production, and Sound Design students have the ability to become certified Avid Protools users.
  • MCDSP: An Emmy Award-winning audio software and hardware company, McDSP provides VFS students with industry-level mixing software.
  • NATIVE INSTRUMENTS: Leaders in computer-based music production and live performance, Native Instruments provides VFS students with access to an arsenal of software and tools, including Kontakt.
  • BIG FOOT FOLEY: Founded by Head of Department, Shane Rees, the sound studio has changed campus space into a professional sound mixing room available to alumni.

Campus Life

Located in downtown Vancouver, the Sound Design for Visual Media campus offers students all the industry-leading tools, learning resources, and production space for developing professional-level portfolios. The close proximity to other VFS campuses – such as Film Production and Game Design – helps foster the spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration. This area is also home to some of the world's leading video game developers and film and TV productions.  

Sound Design for Visual Media Program FAQs

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