Bringing Chinese New Year Animation to Life with Sound

Sound design is a crucial element in animation, transforming visuals into immersive experiences by adding depth, emotion, and energy. A perfect example of this is Chinese New Year celebration animation, created by motion designers Jesseter Wang and Hannah Sun. At Penrose Audio, we had the privilege of collaborating on this project, with our sound designer Davies Aguirre (Davis Withane) crafting a rich, dynamic soundscape that enhanced the festive spirit and cultural significance of the piece.

The Role of Sound Design in Animation

Unlike live-action content, animation has no natural sounds—everything from background ambiance to character movements must be created from scratch. A well-designed soundscape

• Strengthens storytelling, guiding emotions and pacing.
• Adds realism, making movements feel more organic.
• Engages the audience, immersing them in the world of the animation.

For Jess and Hannahs Year of the Rabbit animation, our task at Penrose Audio was to design an authentic and celebratory sound experience that would seamlessly complement the stunning visuals.

How We Designed the Soundscape for Buck’s Chinese New Year Animation

Creating the right sound for this animation meant diving deep into the cultural and emotional essence of Chinese New Year while ensuring every sound effect and transition felt fluid and natural.

1. Capturing Cultural Authenticity

To create a soundscape that truly reflected the Year of the Rabbit celebration, we focused on:

• Researching traditional Chinese music and its festive elements.
• Incorporating symbolic sounds, such as gongs, chimes, and festive drums, to evoke cultural authenticity.
• Understanding the flow of the animation, ensuring the sound carried the spirit of renewal, prosperity, and joy.

2. Building a Rich and Dynamic Sound Palette

Every sound in the animation was carefully selected to enhance the visual energy and festive tone. Our sound design process included:

• Traditional Chinese percussion (drums, cymbals) for celebratory impact.
• Subtle ambient layers (crowds, firecrackers, lanterns flickering) to build a rich atmosphere.
• Rhythmic transitions that match the motion of visuals while keeping the momentum engaging.

One of the most important aspects of sound design is ensuring that each sound effect and musical cue aligns perfectly with the movement and timing of the animation. For this project, we focused on:

• Precise syncing of sound effects to match Jess and Hannah’s seamless motion transitions.
• Layering sounds for depth, so the animation felt more dynamic and immersive.
• Maintaining balance, ensuring the soundscape enhanced, rather than overpowered, the visuals.

The Final Result: A Harmonious Fusion of Sound and Animation

Through a carefully crafted sound design approach, the final animation became a sensory celebration of Chinese New Year. The collaboration between Buck’s motion designers Jess and Hannah and Penrose Audio resulted in a piece that felt alive, festive, and culturally resonant—a true tribute to the Year of the Rabbit.

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Conclusion: Why Sound Design Matters in Animation

At Penrose Audio, we believe that sound is a key storytelling tool in animationand this project is proof that the right audio can transform a great animation into an unforgettable experience.