Ubuntu sound theme design

The brief

As Ubuntu expands onto new form factors, with an increasingly definitive visual identity and brand, it is important to ensure that the theme of Ubuntu is reflected in all aspects of the experience. The auditory experience of Ubuntu must be included in this theme to maintain an immersive environment and consistency with the brand.

These values are a key component of our brand and should form the basis for the sound theme.

• Reliable
• Collaborative
• Freedom
• Precise

Our brand values : http://design.ubuntu.com/values

Objective

To define an Ubuntu soundscape that compliments look, feel and brand and produce a library of assets required for implementation. Provide a guideline for the Ubuntu soundscape that will allow for extension by internal and external stakeholders.

Project requirements

The concept for the sound theme should reflect the requirements of all form factors. Concepts should therefore be explored through signature moments in the Ubuntu soundscape; with an opportunity to refine a desktop startup sound for the 12.04 release. The emergent sound theme should then be articulated and guidelined.

The first stage of this project is the pitch – the deadline is Monday the 13th of February.

The pitch

One desktop startup sound

• This will be heard when the login screen (shown above) is ready for user interaction.
• The device is coming alive, awakening.

One notification

• This gives us a feel for how these sounds fit in a theme.
• An example notification would be a calendar event.

Participants can submit as many sample sounds as they like, however the minimum requirement is one of each.

Feedback will be given by Wednesday 15th February, and we will work with the successful participant to refine the startup sound for the 12.04 release and continue to work with them on the development of the Ubuntu soundscape.

This is an open pitch, and we encourage everyone to participate; including, hopefully, some of you sound professionals out there!

Submissions should be sent to the Unity project manager Nick Tait –nick.tait@canonical.com subject “Sound Theme” in a folder entitled “firstnamelastname.zip”

For reference, the ideal length of the startup should be around 2 – 4 seconds, ogg format, 320kbps.

Some helpful links…

Design guidelines : http://design.ubuntu.com/
The Ubuntu tour : http://www.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/take-the-tour
Brand values : http://design.ubuntu.com/values