What makes “good” sound design?

The Velvet Monkey Wrench http://www.volks.net/muir/index.htm (good e.g.)

Millar Hair Studio [egregiously bad script/voice-over e.g.; note also utter lack of sound where it might have been appropriate--on “What our Customers Say”]http://millarhair.c

Previous slide Next slide Back to first slide View graphic version

What makes for good sound design?Let's take a look at two very simple sites, one good and the other, well....

The first is the VELVET MONKEY WRENCH....based on John Muir's guide to repairing your VW....and on the internet, the guide is even more useful in terms of diagnosing what ails your car.....[play sound of engine]

It also offers a flow chart version of the information, where you can try to to figure out the problem. That's an excellent use of sound.

Then we have the MiIllar Hair Studio, a beauty salon somewhere in suburban New Jersey....we arrive at the page and hear this really cheesy voice-over,a not-very-believable, so-called "professional voice talent" telling us how wonderful the place is...but