It has been 2 years since the last answer/comment on this thread. Time to restart the conversation and get some more answers to this VALID ON-TOPIC question…

Although this thread has touched upon the topic, I would like to explore it further.

Everybody and their brother credits themselves as a Sound Designer. But what have they done to actually earn the title?

It is undisputed that the likes of Walter Murch, Ben Burtt and Gary Rydstrom (among others) are the fathers of sound design for the world of modern cinema, creating some of the most iconic sounds in the history of film. But what is it that they've accomplished that makes them more than a sound editor, sound effects editor, or supervising sound editor? Is it the alien language they created? The horrifying roar of an unknown creature? A subtle interweaving of atmospheres and ambiences that tell the story of an entire generation?

What about the simple sound of a door creaking and closing, and yet telling a part of the film's story that may otherwise go unnoticed? What about a gentle wind through conifer trees, or gentle waves upon a deserted island beach that ominously transform into ferocious reef breakers that will not be crossed?

Have you ever created sounds like that? And does that make YOU a sound designer?

Let the discussion commence.

UPDATE:

Lately I've noticed more and more people crediting themselves as sound designers, to the point where my ears barely perk up anymore. I'd like to hear more from the forum regarding this title and whether perhaps it needs to be amended / abandoned / etc. How about Sound Director? Or just Sound?

It has been 2 years since the last answer/comment on this thread. Time to restart the conversation and get some more answers to this VALID ON-TOPIC question…

Although this thread has touched upon the topic, I would like to explore it further.

Everybody and their brother credits themselves as a Sound Designer. But what have they done to actually earn the title?

It is undisputed that the likes of Walter Murch, Ben Burtt and Gary Rydstrom (among others) are the fathers of sound design for the world of modern cinema, creating some of the most iconic sounds in the history of film. But what is it that they've accomplished that makes them more than a sound editor, sound effects editor, or supervising sound editor? Is it the alien language they created? The horrifying roar of an unknown creature? A subtle interweaving of atmospheres and ambiences that tell the story of an entire generation?

What about the simple sound of a door creaking and closing, and yet telling a part of the film's story that may otherwise go unnoticed? What about a gentle wind through conifer trees, or gentle waves upon a deserted island beach that ominously transform into ferocious reef breakers that will not be crossed?

Have you ever created sounds like that? And does that make YOU a sound designer?

Let the discussion commence.

UPDATE:

Lately I've noticed more and more people crediting themselves as sound designers, to the point where my ears barely perk up anymore. I'd like to hear more from the forum regarding this title and whether perhaps it needs to be amended / abandoned / etc. How about Sound Director? Or just Sound?

Although this thread has touched upon the topic, I would like to explore it further.

Everybody and their brother credits themselves as a Sound Designer. But what have they done to actually earn the title?

It is undisputed that the likes of Walter Murch, Ben Burtt and Gary Rydstrom (among others) are the fathers of sound design for the world of modern cinema, creating some of the most iconic sounds in the history of film. But what is it that they've accomplished that makes them more than a sound editor, sound effects editor, or supervising sound editor? Is it the alien language they created? The horrifying roar of an unknown creature? A subtle interweaving of atmospheres and ambiences that tell the story of an entire generation?

What about the simple sound of a door creaking and closing, and yet telling a part of the film's story that may otherwise go unnoticed? What about a gentle wind through conifer trees, or gentle waves upon a deserted island beach that ominously transform into ferocious reef breakers that will not be crossed?

Have you ever created sounds like that? And does that make YOU a sound designer?

Let the discussion commence.

UPDATE:

Lately I've noticed more and more people crediting themselves as sound designers, to the point where my ears barely perk up anymore. I'd like to hear more from the forum regarding this title and whether perhaps it needs to be amended / abandoned / etc. How about Sound Director? Or just Sound?

It has been 2 years since the last answer/comment on this thread. Time to restart the conversation and get some more answers to this VALID ON-TOPIC question…

Although this thread has touched upon the topic, I would like to explore it further.

Everybody and their brother credits themselves as a Sound Designer. But what have they done to actually earn the title?

It is undisputed that the likes of Walter Murch, Ben Burtt and Gary Rydstrom (among others) are the fathers of sound design for the world of modern cinema, creating some of the most iconic sounds in the history of film. But what is it that they've accomplished that makes them more than a sound editor, sound effects editor, or supervising sound editor? Is it the alien language they created? The horrifying roar of an unknown creature? A subtle interweaving of atmospheres and ambiences that tell the story of an entire generation?

What about the simple sound of a door creaking and closing, and yet telling a part of the film's story that may otherwise go unnoticed? What about a gentle wind through conifer trees, or gentle waves upon a deserted island beach that ominously transform into ferocious reef breakers that will not be crossed?

Have you ever created sounds like that? And does that make YOU a sound designer?

Let the discussion commence.

UPDATE:

Lately I've noticed more and more people crediting themselves as sound designers, to the point where my ears barely perk up anymore. I'd like to hear more from the forum regarding this title and whether perhaps it needs to be amended / abandoned / etc. How about Sound Director? Or just Sound?

Although this thread has touched upon the topic, I would like to explore it further.

Everybody and their brother credits themselves as a Sound Designer. But what have they done to actually earn the title?

It is undisputed that the likes of Walter Murch, Ben Burtt and Gary Rydstrom (among others) are the fathers of sound design for the world of modern cinema, creating some of the most iconic sounds in the history of film. But what is it that they've accomplished that makes them more than a sound editor, sound effects editor, or supervising sound editor? Is it the alien language they created? The horrifying roar of an unknown creature? A subtle interweaving of atmospheres and ambiences that tell the story of an entire generation?

What about the simple sound of a door creaking and closing, and yet telling a part of the film's story that may otherwise go unnoticed? What about a gentle wind through conifer trees, or gentle waves upon a deserted island beach that ominously transform into ferocious reef breakers that will not be crossed?

Have you ever created sounds like that? And does that make YOU a sound designer?

Let the discussion commence.

Although this thread has touched upon the topic, I would like to explore it further.

Everybody and their brother credits themselves as a Sound Designer. But what have they done to actually earn the title?

It is undisputed that the likes of Walter Murch, Ben Burtt and Gary Rydstrom (among others) are the fathers of sound design for the world of modern cinema, creating some of the most iconic sounds in the history of film. But what is it that they've accomplished that makes them more than a sound editor, sound effects editor, or supervising sound editor? Is it the alien language they created? The horrifying roar of an unknown creature? A subtle interweaving of atmospheres and ambiences that tell the story of an entire generation?

What about the simple sound of a door creaking and closing, and yet telling a part of the film's story that may otherwise go unnoticed? What about a gentle wind through conifer trees, or gentle waves upon a deserted island beach that ominously transform into ferocious reef breakers that will not be crossed?

Have you ever created sounds like that? And does that make YOU a sound designer?

Let the discussion commence.

UPDATE:

Lately I've noticed more and more people crediting themselves as sound designers, to the point where my ears barely perk up anymore. I'd like to hear more from the forum regarding this title and whether perhaps it needs to be amended / abandoned / etc. How about Sound Director? Or just Sound?