From catchy soundtracks to startling sound effects, there’s a lot that goes into the sound of video games. Thanks to the nonprofit Urban Arts Partnership, a group of budding young video game designers from some of New York City’s underserved school districts recently got a priceless lesson in this easy-to-overlook facet of gaming.

Barbara Bestor has designed spaces for rock stars and underprivileged music students alike. Here’s how music and listening weaves throughout her life at home and in the office.

Mix Master Mike has been the Beastie Boys’ resident DJ and turntablist since 1998’s “Hello Nasty.” These days the musical pioneer bounces between a variety of projects, from spinning for Cypress Hill to working on a solo virtual reality album. He’s also been live-scoring the emotionally charged Live & Direct tour for the Beastie Boys Book. We caught up with Mix Master Mike on the road in Paris to learn more about his listening habits, the most prized gems in his collection of 80,000 records, and why he finds inspiration in Dirty Harry.

When we asked artist Cody Hudson to design a new holiday gift-wrapping paper, we figured the process would involve a lot of abstract shapes–and of course, a pretty good playlist or two. We recently visited Hudson in his Chicago studio to learn about the creative interplay between patterns, shapes, colors, and sounds that comes alive in his work.