Hi,
What all parameters should one test for when it comes to sound? Is there any heuristics available?
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Nicholas Ikenma
Clarity and Intuitiveness: When testing sound, consider real-life examples like the sound design in ride-sharing apps, where distinct audio cues differentiate various app states (e.g., ride request accepted). Explore studies on the impact of sound on users' attention and understanding of notifications in mobile apps, aiding in the evaluation of clarity and intuitiveness. Heuristic guidelines by Jakob Nielsen suggest using recognizable and non-ambiguous soun@ds to facilitate clear user comprehension. Volume and Disturbance: Examine how video streaming platforms like YouTube manage audio levels during advertisements to avoid abrupt disturbances. Sound intensity can influence user attention and emotional engagement. When testing, consider the appropriate use of sound to enhance, not disrupt, user experiences. Follow guidelines like ISO 9241-11, which emphasizes the importance of appropriate sound levels to avoid annoyance. Context and Relevance: Study the use of sound in navigation systems like Google Maps, where voice instructions align with user context (e.g., turn-by-turn directions). Ongoing research examines how sound influences virtual reality experiences, enhancing immersion and context relevance. Heuristics like those proposed by Preece, Rogers, and Sharp emphasize the significance of providing appropriate feedback in context for improved user understanding. Consistency and Branding: Real-life examples of consistent sound design can be found in major operating systems like Apple's iOS, where cohesive sound cues establish brand recognition across devices. Studies on sonic branding explore how consistent audio elements reinforce brand identity. Heuristic principles by Nielsen-Norman Group advocate for consistency (sound, in this context) to aid user recognition and familiarity. Accessibility and Inclusivity: Consider examples of how sound is complemented with visual or haptic feedback in assistive technologies like screen readers for users with visual impairments. Ongoing research explores the use of haptic feedback as an alternative or supplement to auditory cues. Follow WCAG guidelines, which emphasize making essential auditory information available through alternative means for accessibility. User Preferences: Utilize A/B testing to compare user responses to different sound options for actions like button clicks or error notifications. Look at research on user preferences in sound design. Heuristics proposed by Tognazzini recommend providing customizable options to accommodate individual user preferences. Error Handling and Feedback: Examine instances of error sounds in applications like messaging platforms, where distinct tones signal message delivery failure. The impact of error feedback sound design on user resilience and error recovery has been proved high by studies. Usability heuristics by ISO 9241-110 emphasize providing clear and informative feedback for user actions, including errors. References: Clarity and Intuitiveness: 1. "Uber - CMoore Sound" https://cmooresound.com/work/uber/. 2. "Applying sound to UI - Material Design" https://m2.material.io/design/sound/applying-sound-to-ui.html#hero-sounds 3. Jakob Nielson. "10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design" https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ten-usability-heuristics/ Volume and Disturbance: 1. G. Lemaitre et al. "Feelings Elicited by Auditory Feedback from a Computationally Augmented Artifact: The Flops." IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing, 3 (2012): 335-348. https://doi.org/10.1109/T-AFFC.2012.1. 2. ISO 9241-11:1998. "Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals (VDTs)." International Organization for Standardization (1998). https://www.iso.org/standard/16883.html. Content and Relevance: 1. Preece, J., Rogers, Y., & Sharp, H. "Interaction design: Beyond Human-computer Interaction" (2019). Wiley. 2. Khoa-Van Nguyen et al. "Spatial audition in a static virtual environment : the role of auditory-visual interaction." J. Virtual Real. Broadcast., 6 (2009). 3. Gaver W., "Auditory Icons: Using Sound in Computer Interfaces." Human-Computer Interaction, 2 (1986): 167–177. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327051hci0202_3 Consistency and Branding: 1. Shawn P. Scott et al. "Small sounds, big impact: sonic logos and their effect on consumer attitudes, emotions, brands and advertising placement." Journal of Product & Brand Management (2022). https://doi.org/10.1108/jpbm-06-2021-3507. Accessibility and Inclusivity: 1. J. Maculewicz et al. "An investigation on the impact of auditory and haptic feedback on rhythmic walking interactions." Int. J. Hum. Comput. Stud., 85 (2016): 40-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2015.07.003. 2. WCAG 2.1. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. World Wide Web Consortium. User Preferences: 1. Erkin Asutay et al. "Emoacoustics: A Study of the Psychoacoustical and Psychological Dimensions of Emotional Sound Design." Journal of The Audio Engineering Society, 60 (2012): 21-28. 2. Tognazzini, B. Tog on Interface (1992). Error Handling and Feedback: 1. Batmaz, A., & Stuerzlinger, W. (2021). The Effect of Pitch in Auditory Error Feedback for Fitts' Tasks in Virtual Reality Training Systems. 2021 IEEE Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR), 85-94. https://doi.org/10.1109/VR50410.2021.00029. 2. ISO 9241-11:2018. "Ergonomics of human-system interactions." International Organization for Standardization (2018). https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:9241:-11:ed-2:v1:en.
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