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Sound Guidance: The Art of Creative Feedback

By Asbjoern Andersen
Sound design feedback guide

How do you turn sound design feedback into creative fuel? Sound Design Supervisor Stephen Schappler gives you 9 valuable insights into that below, based on his experience and lessons learned from more than 15 years in game audio:

Written by Stephen Schappler, and republished with his kind permission

In the fast-paced world of game development, the difference between good sound design and great sound design often comes down to the quality of feedback exchanged between team members.

After years of supervising sound designers, Iโ€™ve learned that how we communicate about creative work can either unlock extraordinary potential or inadvertently stifle innovation and enthusiasm

After years of supervising sound designers, Iโ€™ve learned that how we communicate about creative work can either unlock extraordinary potential or inadvertently stifle innovation and enthusiasm.
After trials, errors, and countless feedback sessions, Iโ€™ve developed approaches that consistently yield better results. Here are nine practical techniques that can transform how you give feedback to your team, and ultimately elevate everyoneโ€™s work:

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Start with Context, Not Criticism

Before diving into specifics, I always take a moment to understand the landscape. Itโ€™s tempting to jump right in with immediate reactionsโ€”that explosion sounds too thin, that footstep sequence lacks weightโ€”but a quick check-in makes all the difference.

โ€œWhat were you aiming for with this piece?โ€

โ€œWhich elements do you feel are working, and which arenโ€™t?โ€

โ€œHow does this specific game mechanic work?โ€

โ€œWhat kind of feedback would be most helpful right now?โ€

These questions do more than clarify expectations; they transform the conversation from a one-sided critique into a collaborative exploration. They signal respect for the designerโ€™s creative vision and acknowledge that they might already be aware of certain issues.

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Match Your Method to the Maker

Iโ€™ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that feedback isnโ€™t one-size-fits-all. Some of my team members thrive on immediate, face-to-face discussions where they can ask questions and see my reactions. Others prefer written notes they can process privately before responding.

Understanding each team memberโ€™s preferred communication style isnโ€™t just about making feedback more palatableโ€”itโ€™s about making it more effective.

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Describe Effects, Not Techniques

Perhaps the most transformative shift in my feedback approach has been moving from prescriptive instructions to descriptive guidance. Instead of saying, โ€œApply a high-pass filter at 150 Hz and add a low shelf with -12dB at 3 kHz,โ€ Iโ€™ll say something like, โ€œThe underwater sequence still feels too fullโ€”can we make it feel more muffled and distant?โ€

Perhaps the most transformative shift in my feedback approach has been moving from prescriptive instructions to descriptive guidance

This approach accomplishes two critical things: it preserves the creative agency of the sound designer, and it keeps the focus on the emotional impact rather than technical minutiae.
It invites the designer to draw on their expertise to solve the problem, often yielding solutions more innovative than what I might have prescribed.

That said, experience level matters here. With junior sound designers who are still building their technical toolkit, I make a point to add: โ€œIf youโ€™re not sure how to achieve this effect, Iโ€™m happy to walk you through some specific techniques.โ€ This creates a safe space for learning without assuming everyone has the same technical foundation. Iโ€™ve found that explicitly offering technical guidanceโ€”without forcing itโ€”helps junior team members grow while still giving them room to experiment and develop their own creative problem-solving skills.

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Practice Brevity and Focus

When I first started giving feedback, Iโ€™d try to address everything at once. I quickly learned that overwhelming someone with a laundry list of tweaks often results in none of them being addressed effectively.

When I first started giving feedback, Iโ€™d try to address everything at once. I quickly learned that overwhelming someone with a laundry list of tweaks often results in none of them being addressed effectively

Now I prioritize ruthlessly. If a piece needs substantial work, I focus on the 2-3 most critical issues that will have the greatest impact. When those are resolved, we can address more nuanced concerns in the next iteration.

Just as in sound design itselfโ€”where knowing what to leave out is as important as what to includeโ€”effective feedback requires thoughtful curation.

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Separate the Work from the Person

โ€œThis ambience feels disconnected from the emotional arc of the sceneโ€ hits differently than โ€œYouโ€™re not understanding the emotional requirements here.โ€

By focusing critique on the work rather than the person who created it, we create psychological safety that encourages risk-taking and experimentation. This isnโ€™t just about being niceโ€”itโ€™s about creating an environment where innovation can flourish without fear of personal judgment.

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Make Every Conversation Two-Way

Some of the most valuable insights emerge when feedback becomes a dialogue rather than a monologue. I regularly ask questions like:

โ€œWhat were the challenges you encountered with this design?โ€

โ€œWhat alternatives did you try before landing on this approach?โ€

โ€œHow do you feel about trying a different direction here?โ€

These questions often reveal constraints or considerations I wasnโ€™t aware of, leading to more informed decisions and better outcomes.

Close the Loop

Feedback shouldnโ€™t disappear into the void. Following up on previous conversationsโ€”โ€I love how you addressed the timing issues we discussed last weekโ€โ€”reinforces a culture of continuous improvement and shows that youโ€™re invested in the designerโ€™s growth, not just the immediate deliverable.

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Beware the Feedback Sandwich

Early in my career, I followed the โ€œpraise-criticism-praiseโ€ formula. Iโ€™ve since learned that transparent, straightforward communication builds more trust than formulaic approaches.

When designers sense youโ€™re softening criticism with obligatory compliments, it can undermine the authenticity of both your praise and your critique

When designers sense youโ€™re softening criticism with obligatory compliments, it can undermine the authenticity of both your praise and your critique.
Instead, I try to be genuine in acknowledging strengths while being clear and direct about what needs improvement.

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Consider the Timeline

Feedback that arrives too late in a development or deliverable cycle can be more frustrating than helpful. โ€œThis would have been perfect if weโ€™d gone in a completely different directionโ€ isnโ€™t useful feedback when milestones are looming. Being mindful of production constraints and the realistic scope for changes is part of giving responsible feedback.

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In Conclusion: Feedback as Creative Fuel

At its best, feedback isnโ€™t just about fixing problemsโ€”itโ€™s about igniting possibilities. When delivered thoughtfully, it can be the catalyst that transforms good sound design into something memorable and emotionally resonant.

The goal isnโ€™t perfection in a single iteration, but rather creating a collaborative environment where each conversation brings us closer to something extraordinary. In game development, where player experience is shaped by countless small decisions, this approach to feedback doesnโ€™t just make for better soundโ€”it makes for better games.

What feedback approaches have worked best in your creative teams? Iโ€™d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

About Stephen Schappler:

Sound Design Supervisor Stephen SchapplerStephen Schappler is an award-winning Sound Designer who has worked on acclaimed AAA titles including God of War: Ragnarรถk and the Mortal Kombat franchise.

He is currently a Sound Design Supervisor at PlayStation Studios, where he creates industry-leading sonic experiences. With over 15 years of experience, he remains passionate about innovation, advancing the craft, and inspiring others through positive leadership in a supportive, encouraging atmosphere. Check out his blog here.



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