Sonic Storytelling

The practice of conveying narrative, emotion, and information primarily through audio elements including narration, dialogue, sound effects, music, and spatial audio. In accessibility contexts, sonic storytelling is the approach used to make inherently visual media like comics, webtoons, and graphic novels accessible to blind and low vision users. Effective sonic storytelling goes beyond simply reading text aloud—it uses sound design to create immersive experiences that convey the visual dynamics, pacing, atmosphere, and emotional qualities of the original visual work. Key elements include voice characterization, strategic audio effect placement, background music for mood, and transition cues for navigation.