February 7th, 2012 by
If you’re as keen as we are that the Ubuntu sound theme is on brand, now is your chance! We are calling for pitches for the Ubuntu sound theme!
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
Login screen
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
The toolkit
22 Responseshide comments
One more sound theme open pitch…
Is this one will succeed?
Yes, there is an absolute requirement for it therefore it will happen!
OK, thank you!
Got a few questions:
1. How long should each sample be both for Start and Notification?
2. In what format should each sample be saved?
3. What directories do the sound files reside in that I might test each on my Precise install?
Regards,
Jimmy (pak33m)
1 – the startup should be around 2 – 4 seconds, the notification the length of a notification!
2 – ogg format is preferable, bit rate of 320kbps
3 – unfortunately that’s not possible just yet.
Cheers.
Thank you for the prompt response. Now back to creating sounds
Hey,
something of topic here:
Where do I get these nice smileys from and why are they not included in Ubuntu as standard smileys?
They look much better than the old yellow ones and would just underline the elegance of Unity.
They are already installed in Empathy (default chat client in Ubuntu). You simply open the application, then look for Options or Settings in the toolbar (sorry I can’t give the exact location, not at my Ubuntu PC). Once you are there you will find style, where you can change the icon set and the style of the chat windows. Good luck!
2-4s is too long. People don’t want long startup sounds anymore. The only thing they achieve is disturbance and embarrassment.
In the same way I sport Ubuntu stickers, t-shirts, etc. I’m rather proud of my Ubuntu startup sound and happy to let it play out where ever I can but hey that’s me.
Incorrect, sound should be intregral to any workstation OS especially ubuntu.
I for one use the sound to ID the exact operating system and I welcome it.
Its Good to have sound back in the design of precise.
Incorrect, I just hate Ubuntu’s login sound (or any login sound in general). I always feel embarrassed when I forget to turn-off the sound and login in public.
If you need some form of audio feedback for user, make it short – 2-4 seconds feels like eternity and serves no practical purpose.
Out of curiosity, will any of the sound themes previously submitted be reconsidered this time around?
P.S. A new sound theme is something Ubuntu needed since the introduction of the Light themes in 10.04. Thanks for working on it!
We’re treating this as a new brief and project, so new submissions are what we are looking for. And you’re welcome, looking forward to all this listening!
Ubuntu design has gotten so streamlined and non-participatory that holding a competition without taking money into into your hands will not get you a sound theme.
Better book that studio now.
This is a pitch so we are looking to work with the successful participant to hone and perfect the sound through further iterations; this is the first step.
http://www.pacdv.com/sounds/fart-sounds/fart-1.wav
Aw, it was an exceptionally good put up. In theory Let me come up with in this way at the same time : taking time frame and proper attempt to brew a great piece of writing…but what can AS I suggest…DOCUMENT put things off a fantastic amount not seem to acquire a product conducted.
from an Accessibility perspective there are some points where it is critical that a sound plays. There must be a sound at the start of ubiquity installer, when it is ready to press ctrl+s to start orca, and there must be a sound at the lightdm screen when it is ready to accept a password. On starting the desktop orca will start talking, so a desktop ready sound isn’t really that important, and in fact might be nice to have a “desktop not ready yet” jingle between password accepted in lightdm and orca starting on the desktop. Password not being accepted in lightdm should also indicate what is going on.
The deadline has now passed. Too bad I didn’t see this publicized more on major Ubuntu news sites like OMG! Ubuntu.
How many submissions were received and when might we expect to see a decision made?
(Sorry if I seem impatient, but I guess I’m just excited to know what the result will be!)
Is it possible to postpone the deadline? And talk to “OMG! Ubuntu” people so they can spread it? Thanks.
Unfortunately not, we’re hoping to land the startup for 12.04, so the deadline is tight! I’m going to blog today with an update on progress.