Brands are generating stronger attention by designing audible user experiences and interaction both emerging from and adding to their brand identity.
The beeps and dings of the future
At its core, sound UX design merges utility and aesthetics (Psst, when we say sound UX design, we’re referring to all the bespoke sounds that brands have designed for apps, user interfaces and electronic devices and products) by building context, directing user attention, strengthening the relationship you have with your users, and ensuring brand identity and strong brand attention. When done well, that is.
Here's an example of a receipt sound from a mobile bank app.
Mimicking user actions, hereby offering intuitive feedback
When that happens, sound UX design has the potential of becoming a guiding navigation system by mimicking the status of user actions and giving audible feedback. You could call this an intuitive user flow choreography. This way, by directing user attention, the specific sound UX design facilitates an organic user flow which ultimately creates a reassuring and positive user experience. This leaves you with strong brand attention.
How do you tap into that potential?
A success criteria is to not just add any sound. Add it authentically. Bear in mind that the sound of your brand both emerges from and adds to your brand, and this is where the risk of creating dissonans instead of synergy lies.
Here’s how you release your audible potential
We’ll leave you with some basic rule(s) of thumb to lead you towards tapping into this synergy:
Stay consistent and holistic: don’t mix it up too much and keep all of your brand assets in mind to ensure overall balance and authenticity
Create sound for specific scenarios: by creating motivated sounds you steer clear of adding clutter to the web of noise that surrounds us all every day. Identify these scenarios by examining your user flow and the purpose of each touchpoint.
Avoid literal sounds: instead, create sonic metaphors that mimic the meaning of the meaning of the action taking place.
Keep it simple, keep it short: design with silence to not bug users’ repetitive tolerance