The Invisible Injury

KNVB

A lot of younger people struggle with their mental health, and an average locker room contains at least two people with mental health issues, without anyone noticing. Professional footballers are increasingly speaking out about the stress and pressure they face, but it remains a taboo in amateur football. Sports clubs play a crucial role in breaking the silence, offering a space for players to connect, recharge, and clear their minds. Together, KNVB and Zilveren Kruis aim to strengthen the mental resilience of young people through De Onzichtbare Blessure — a campaign that helps make the invisible injury visible.

Brief

We were brought in to take care of the music, sound design, and voice-over recording. From the start, it was clear the story needed something atmospheric, something that could gently convey the main character’s emotions.

Execution

We experimented with different soundscapes, both synthetic and organic, incorporating vocals along the way. And the latter turned out to work beautifully, leading us to build a track made almost entirely of layered vocal recordings. This process was incredibly enjoyable, but also very time-consuming, especially as we continued refining the details. In the final stage, we subtly changed the tone, which was a delicate balance to strike. Something needed to change, but it couldn’t be too heavy-handed.

Result

A beautiful, organic soundscape that feels intimate and warm.  The vocals aren’t flawless,  just like the main character, navigating their own struggles. They closely follow the emotions and subtly open up at the end, offering a hint of hope.