The Project Blog
Throughout the research and development process of this project, I've been documenting the resources I've used, the concepts I've explored, and the people I've asked for advice and expertise. My hope is that having this documentation (in pretty plain language) can help future students or researchers expand on my process and the resulting project. One of my main goals for this project is providing educational resources that are accessible to people who aren't coming from a programming background (like me!) but have a love of sound.
There are lots of links! Click around! If you have any comments or questions, head over to the forum page!
This site is under construction!
About O
Hi! I'm O (just like the letter) and this is my project! Welcome! This project was funded by the Undergraduate Research Opportunity program at Toronto Metropolitan University, and my faculty advisor is Finlay Braithwaite of The Creative School.
In Winter 2025, I completed a Bachelors of Arts in RTA Media Production at TMU, with a Concentration in Radio & Sound and a Minor in Psychology. I took basically every audio class that RTA had to offer (most of them taught by Finlay) and my practicum thesis project was an immersive audio documentary mixed in Dolby Atmos called Soundscapes of Self. I've also created and hosted a few podcasts (Break Your Game and Return To The Ballpit: A Dashcon 2 Podcast) and served as the editor for seasons 7 and 8 of the Power in Heels podcast and Mass Culture's Research in Residence: Arts Civic Impact podcast. I also quite enjoy being a production sound mixer and have been working with the folks at RMN Media to provide free and low-cost sound help for small productions.
Features and Goals
Informed by evidence-based psychology
Moving beyond marketable
Many advances in immersive and interactive audio are designed to be eye-catching (ear-catching??) and sensational. With this project, I am utilizing my contacts and previous experience in the psychology field to create work that is grounded in science. While I certainly cannot claim that this project is a replacement for any mental health intervention or treatment, I hope that it can serve as a low-cost, self-guided way to supplement a treatment plan.
Accessible to the consumer and user-friendly
Wireless, lightweight, and uncomplicated
An advantage of using Airpods Pro for this project is that they are already a fairly widely adopted technology, and are far less of an encumbrance on the user than, say, a VR headset. Using features and functions built in to the existing Apple ecosystem, a user is able to integrate the project more seamlessly into their existing routine, and discreetly train their brain to practice mindfulness and deep listening.
Building off of the work of passionate sound artists
Science and art hand in hand
Many exceptionally talented and observant audiophiles have taken the artistic route in their careers, less focused on intensive research and testing but nonetheless possessing excellent intuition. Their work inspires my process and enhances the user's experience. Composers, game designers, programmers, audio engineers, hobbyists, all of them have made valuable contributions to this space.
A new creative avenue for audio students
This is just the beginning!
One of the biggest goals I have for this project is building an instructional foundation so that students after me can follow my journey, learn from my successes and failures, and ultimately combine their own expertise with what I've made to create something even better. I feel that experiences like these are an exciting new frontier that audio students can build successful careers around