CASE STUDY · SOUND DESIGN
Heads Up
A behind-the-scenes look at the playful sound system I designed for Heads Up — from quick-read feedback moments to the musical polish that keeps the game moving.
Role: Sound Design
App audio · UI feedback · polish
01 · BRIEF
Heads Up needed sounds that could cut through laughter without interrupting play. I focused on short, bright cues that instantly communicate success, movement, and reset states.
signature cues / musical gestures / motion
02 · IDENTITY
The sonic palette leans into quick pitch lifts, compact melodic fragments, and a light tactile snap. The goal was to make each round feel animated without making the audio feel noisy.
correct
pass
timer
round
03 · INTERACTION
Each action needed its own shape: rewards feel upward, passes feel quick and soft, countdowns stay present without adding stress. The system works because every cue has a distinct job.
mixed for phones, rooms, and loud game nights
04 · POLISH
Final mixes were tuned for phone speakers and real-world party environments. The result is a set of cues that feel energetic and branded, but never compete with the people in the room.