We were lucky to catch up with YunChen Tsai recently and have shared our conversation below.

YunChen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission as a sound designer is to create experiences that make people feel happy, delighted, and emotionally connected. I started out as an Erhu player and spent over 15 years studying traditional performance. During that time, I had the chance to learn both classical pieces and newer styles as music evolved. But eventually, I felt that performing alone wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to create something on my own.

That curiosity led me to music production. I was lucky to meet an instructor who introduced me to sound design. It wasn’t just about making music anymore, it was about shaping sound to express who I am and to build something unique. That idea really stayed with me and gave me a new direction.

Later on, I had the opportunity to explore more sound design techniques and learned about game audio through a class at Berklee. That opened up a whole new world for me. One important moment was when I joined a game development team and had to deliver sound assets every week. At first I thought I couldn’t do it. I had always taken a long time to design each sound. But that experience taught me how to trust myself and work with more confidence. I realized that sound design was something I could do and grow in.

Now I work on all kinds of projects, including music, short films, and indie games. What keeps me going is hearing people’s reactions. When someone tells me a sound I made brought them joy or made their experience more fun, that means everything to me. That is why I do sound design. I want to bring people something meaningful and uplifting, while also making the experience immersive and interactive.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, I’m Yunchen Tsai. I’m a sound designer and music producer with the background as an Erhu player. I studied traditional music performance for over 15 years and earned my college degree in Taiwan focused on traditional performance. During those years, I gained a strong foundation in classical techniques and musicality, but eventually I felt I wanted to explore more. Performing alone couldn’t satisfy my curiosity anymore. I wanted to create something new, something that fully represented who I am.

That led me to music production, and I was lucky to meet a mentor who introduced me to the world of sound design. It opened a door I didn’t know existed. The idea of shaping emotion and storytelling through sound really spoke to me. Eventually, I took a class at Berklee where I learned more about game audio and implementation. That’s when I truly fell in love with sound design, especially in interactive media.

Now I work on many kinds of projects. I produce music for others, I design and implement sound for indie games, especially a new game is about to release call “Smoke Break,” and I create sound for short films. I enjoy every step of the process, from creative brainstorming to technical problem-solving. I’m especially drawn to moments when the sound I create enhances an experience, makes a game feel more alive, a scene more emotional, or a player more connected to a world.

One thing that I think sets me apart is my performance background. Because of that, I bring a very musical and emotional touch to my sound design. I think a lot about phrasing, texture, and how to shape a feeling. Also, growing up with traditional Chinese music has given me a unique perspective that I like to bring into modern and experimental contexts.

What I’m most proud of is that I took a big leap. I already had a full background in performance, and I chose to start again in a totally new field. It was challenging, but it made me grow. One moment that gave me a lot of confidence was when I collaborated with a game development team. I had to deliver sound assets weekly, and it pushed me to work faster and trust myself more. That experience made me believe I could do this professionally.

What I want people to know about my work is that I care deeply about how it makes people feel. I want my sound design to be immersive, playful, and emotionally meaningful. Whether it’s for a game, a short film, or a music project, I always hope that what I create brings people a little joy or connection. That’s what keeps me going.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is when people feel happy after experiencing my work. When someone watches a scene or hears a sound I made and it brings them joy, or makes them feel something, that’s the moment I feel proud. It’s even more meaningful when someone says they can hear me in my work, like they can feel my personality or voice coming through. That’s when I know I’m doing the right thing.

Of course, not every reaction is strong, and when people feel nothing, I always ask myself how I can improve and grow. I take it as motivation to keep learning and keep creating.

I really love learning, especially when it’s something cool or exciting. If it sparks passion or helps me express myself better, I’m all in. Being creative, to me, is about showing my personal color in a space that has no limits. It’s about finding new ways to share who I am through sound, music, or any kind of storytelling.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, there is a mission behind my creative journey. I want to create sound that brings people happiness and helps them remember how beautiful life can be. Whether it is through a game, a short film, or a piece of music, I hope people can feel something real when they experience my work. It could be joy, emotion, or even a small moment of peace.

One of my biggest dreams is to work on a cultural storytelling game. I have always loved storytelling. I think sound plays a powerful role in how stories are felt and remembered. My background in Erhu performance taught me to be patient and to listen deeply. It also helped me learn how to find sound that truly comes from my own voice.

I want my sound design to feel personal and honest. I hope when people hear it, they feel a little more connected to themselves or to something meaningful. If it brings someone joy, or makes them smile even for a moment, then I feel like I have done something right.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yctsai36.wixsite.com/yctsai
• Instagram: t.yun.c
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yun-chen-tsai-415628254
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@y.c5227

Image Credits

Erin Liu, Ardia Cui, Alieen