What is audio ux?

YOUR SONIC USER EXPERIENCE

Audio UX is about applying sound cues to boost the user experience of your product or service. Whether it’s app notifications, the hum of an electric car or even the buzz of your toothbrush. Every sound matters.

What is audio UX?

Sound helps us to navigate the world around us. To avoid danger or when estimating distance. Sound tells us where we are, where we’re heading, or what’s expected of us. Signalling success or failure.

We can perceive more timbral nuances than shades of colours. And we not only listen with our ears, but also with our skin, bones and muscles. That’s why we instinctively react to a ringing bike bell and look up when we hear a car accelerating. In an instant.

Of course, visual cues play a crucial role in using products and services. But adding an audio component takes your user experience to another level. Here’s how.

Brand perception

Using audio cues not only creates brand recognition but also gives users a sense of trust. That’s how audio UX can contribute to building a robust brand identity.

Ease of use

A well-crafted audio UX supports users in navigating your product or service. This reduces reliance on visual cues and enhances the user experience.

Engagement

Sound adds an emotional layer to your user experience. This makes your product much more enjoyable and appealing to use. Resulting in a nice competitive edge.

How do you create an audio UX?

A well-crafted audio UX contributes to an effective user experience while simultaneously building your brand. This is how we create one.

Audio journey mapping
Crafting an audio UX starts off with audio journey mapping. A deep dive into understanding the role of sound in using your product or service. In such a way, we chart every spot where users bump into audio or where sound could do its magic. In turn, this provides insights into the potential role of sound in your user experience.
User interaction analysis
We investigate every sonic interaction to see how your audience reacts. And measuring how well this aligns with your UX goals. This enables us to map out the most relevant interactions for enriching your user experience.
Development
Based on your audio identity, we create bespoke audio for every relevant interaction. Striking the right balance between the sound’s purpose, your brand identity, and the context in which consumers will encounter the audio cue.
Testing
User reactions matter, especially if you’re in their ears. Therefor it’s crucial to gather feedback from your target audience. Refining your audio UX for optimal effectiveness.
Implementation
Our team of sound designers will support you with implementation. Ensuring a seamless functioning audio UX wherever your brand engages with its audience.

The role of sound

Physical

Unexpected noises trigger a cortisol rush, putting us on high alert, ready to fight or flee. As such, a poorly designed sound experience can mess with your brand perception. In a split second.

Psychological

As we all have experienced, music and emotions are strongly connected. Major chords throw a party, rapid beats trigger a sense of urgency, and a cello whispers melancholy. Cultural codes that resonate from Manila to Madrid.

Cognitive

Our brain struggles to multitask with audio. Try following two conversations at once. Or to concentrate in a noisy place. So to avoid ending up as noise, be sure to think about the context in which your product is being heard.

Behavioural

We tend to dodge unpleasant sounds and gravitate towards the pleasant ones. That’s why too loud background music can have customers run for cover. Instead, a fitting audio UX keeps consumers engaged by making your product more enjoyable to use. Again and again.

TAMBR on audio UX

Auteur

Niels de Jong

Oprichter / Muzikaal strateeg

Niels is opgeleid tot jurist én uitvoerend pianist, werd getraind als bankier en verdiende zijn sporen als strateeg in de creatieve industrie. Hij is mede-oprichter en muzikaal strateeg bij TAMBR.

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