Bringing More Fantasy to Life with Sound Design

Following our successful collaboration on a medieval fantasy animation, we had the pleasure of working with Axel Kinear once again on a second project in a similar world. This animation continues the theme of whimsical, hand-drawn fantasy but introduces a new mystical element centered around a warlock unknowingly casting a spell that brings a book—and an entire magical world—to life.

The Vision for the Animation

Unlike the previous animation, which featured a fast-paced journey through a battle-ridden landscape, this project embraces a more spellbinding, mystical atmosphere. Axel described it as "just doodles coming to life"—a playful yet mesmerizing exploration of fantasy characters unfolding through cel animation.

Sound Design Brief

When discussing the project, Axel shared:

‍"I love to draw weird lil fantasy guys and these animations are fun for me to make and practice my cel animation. The idea behind this one is pretty much just the intro warlock unknowingly casting a spell summoning the book and the world and characters that follow."‍

Unlike previous projects, Axel gave us complete creative freedom, trusting us to craft a soundscape that would bring his world to life in a way that felt natural and immersive.

With this in mind, we aimed to create a soundscape that enhances the magical and experimental feel of the animation while maintaining the playful and quirky energy that defines Axel's work.

Our Approach to Sound Design

Taking inspiration from our previous work together, we crafted a layered, dynamic audio experience that highlights the mystical spellcasting and fantastical transformations while ensuring each moment feels alive. Axel's trust in our creative process allowed us to explore new directions, balancing otherworldly elements with a fun and tactile approach.

Crafting the Soundscape

Mystical Ambience & Atmosphere

• To establish the enchanted tone, we blended ethereal chimes, soft whispers, and deep atmospheric textures to create a sense of mystery as the spell unfolds.
• The summoning sequence features subtle crackling energy and airy whooshes, giving weight to the magical effects.

Musical Composition

• For the soundtrack, we took inspiration from Waltz of the Flowers to create an elegant, whimsical opening that complements the dreamy introduction of the warlock and his spell.
• As the animation unfolds, the music transitions into a grand, epic orchestration inspired by Game of Thrones, intensifying as the magical world expands and fantasy creatures come to life.

Impactful Magic Effects

• As the spell takes effect, we introduced layered resonant tones, flickering sparks, and swirling arcane textures to give life to the book’s arrival and the world’s manifestation.
• A key moment at 13 seconds, where a lightning strike hits with impact frames, required special attention. Axel requested a louder, more pronounced crack sound, so we amplified the effect with a sharp, electrifying burst to enhance the dramatic moment.

Bringing the Fantasy Creatures to Life

• The fantasy creatures emerging in the animation were given quirky, playful sound design, using squeaky textures, subtle growls, and bouncy movements to reflect the hand-drawn aesthetic.
• Each movement was carefully timed to sync with the animation, ensuring that the transformation feels organic and immersive.

Final Thoughts

This second collaboration with Axel Kinear was an exciting opportunity to further develop the sonic identity of his fantasy animations. By focusing on magical textures, dynamic impact, and a rich musical composition, we created a soundscape that amplifies the playful and experimental nature of the project.

A big thank you to Axel for trusting us again with his animation! The sound design was crafted by Davies Aguirre, founder of Penrose Audio, bringing an imaginative approach to this spellbinding world.

You can check out the final animation Here Let us know what you think about the sound design!

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