Sound Designers You Need to Hear About: Damian Enemark

As the Australian audio space continues to boom, LBB are diving into the nitty gritty of sound design with the region's leading lights. Today, LBB's Tom Loudon spoke to the Singapore-based MassiveMusic sound designer Damian Enemark.

From the thrill of working on global campaigns to leveraging AI technology and creating unique sounds, these Damian discusses the passion for craft that has elevated him to the top of the field, along with the vital role of sound in advertising.

LBB> What initially sparked your interest in audio editing and sound design, and did you always see yourself working in the advertising industry?

Damian> I’ve always been interested in sound and sonics. Growing up I was recording local bands, volunteering at FBi radio and just generally saying “yes” to anything where I could make or shape noise. Working in advertising was never a fixed goal but more of a pleasant surprise. The fast pace of work, the intersection of film, music, business and tech (not to mention the amazing team at MassiveMusic) makes it a really great environment. 

LBB> How would you describe your role, and what are your key responsibilities and challenges?

Damian> Apart from the more obvious tech side of the role I think many people forget that audio post production is very much about the people in the room. So a lot of my role is about creating a great environment so that our clients can be as creative as possible in session. That’s anything from coaching voice over talent, editing on the fly, or just keeping the vibes chatty and positive. 

The big challenge is to make sure you’re adding plenty of value with your expertise and experience while being humble enough to leave room for the agency creatives to do their thing. Ideally it's about a collaboration where 1+1 equals 3. 

LBB> Can you share any notable projects or campaigns you have worked on in the advertising industry? What were some of the creative and technical aspects involved in those projects?

Damian> I recently completed some work for Cathay Pacific’s “Food Done Right” campaign which I’m really proud of. The pictures are gorgeous and the agency creative really challenged me to push the soundscape into a much more abstract area than I usually go. 

LBB> What strategies do you use to effectively communicate and bring brand ideas to life through audio?

Damian> From a craft perspective the senior sound team at MassiveMusic have really drilled into me the importance of high quality, movement and cohesion. It doesn’t matter how “creative” you are if you’re making errors on your bounces, mislabeling files or drowning out the voice over it’s game over. Likewise if you have a really high technical standard to your work but there’s no sonic movement throughout the spot the emotions will likely stay static as well. And, as always, the sound is there to serve the story/messaging and one excellent sound that you love will always trump four or five layers of sound that you’re ambivalent about. 

LBB> What role does sound play in enhancing the overall impact and message of an advertising campaign?

Damian> Our ECD in Sydney, Ramesh, has this really beautiful analogy about sound and music being like tweaking the “emotional grade” of a campaign which I think is a really apt description. Sound is really saturated with emotional cues that, when you “dial them up” in one direction or another, can help a brand tell their story really efficiently.

And in the distracted, second screen-ing, podcast-y kind of world we live in, the brands who manage to use sonic branding effectively will be a cut above. 

LBB> How do you source or create unique and captivating sounds for advertising projects? 

Damian> We have terabytes of really slick commercial sound fx libraries at MassiveMusic that we use on projects every day. But of course I can't ever seem to stop myself dashing into the booth to clank together some pots and pans, rustle some jackets or just make some weird vocalisations. 

LBB> How do you measure success in your line of work?

Damian> As with most creative pursuits, sound design is more about making a life than making a living. You have to be in love with the process. I would say success is having excellent projects to keep you interested and inspired as well as doing enough non-audio activities to refuel your creative tank and look after your physical and mental health.