Primary UX sounds are generated by an operating system (or device) to provide user feedback. They can add sound to any interaction, such as:

- Menu navigation
- Confirming a user’s direct action
- Data input

They should be in harmony with a product’s sound aesthetic, while remaining simple and understated.

Primary UX sounds

These sounds occur more frequently than other sounds in the UI. Because they are repeated throughout an experience, they should be suitable for being played often (without feeling annoying or redundant).

- Navigation example
- Selection example

Usage

Secondary UX sounds are played less frequently in a UI. They should reflect a product’s personality, but they are primarily used for functional purposes, to inform users of state changes, or to indicate infrequent actions.

- A subtle tone can express when a content feed is refreshed
- https://kstatic.googleusercontent.com/files/957287f6c429b75995d4afa8057350cebd8d25fa6bfd0df56c56169a51282869e45d0c11200071381209194f131e00e60487469e96bb5a1b5407c1fe69bb020a
- A tone can inform users when something isn't available for interaction
- https://kstatic.googleusercontent.com/files/c6a6a69bb8c84e7df3041f9b1b4b0ebcc1588be75f72d6970c6fe48d456cd95df2e5799a806951fc7b4d0058e8579c3a06ed96154eee738d126e1bae05394353

Secondary UX sounds

- Primary UX sounds
- Usage
- Secondary UX sounds

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

"Sound can give expression to interactions and reinforce specific functionality."

- Sound use cases
- Hero sounds
- Notifications
- System sounds
- Ambient sounds


Applying sound to UI

Material Design Documentation

"Sound can provide feedback or add decoration to a user experience when applied to strategic moments."

- Sound as feedback
- Sound as decoration
- When not to use sound

Sound use cases

Hero sounds are representations of a product and brand that highlight an important moment, evoke an emotional state, or express celebration.

They occur in pivotal interactions, such as those that:

- Celebrate a significant positive action the user has taken
- Welcome users to a new app or experience
- Confirm a key moment of a product’s purpose

Hero sounds occur infrequently, and because of their prominence, they should be applied in consistent ways.

Hero sounds

Notifications are prominent requests for user attention. Their primary role is to help direct user attention, and they provide an opportunity to give a custom sound identity to emphasized interactions. Because they occur more frequently in a UI than other sounds, they should generally be shorter than hero sounds and crafted in a way that is suitable for being played multiple times.

- Environmental factors
- Notifications and alerts
- Ringtones, alarms, and timers

Notifications

System sounds

Ambient sound is a decorative layer of sound that expresses emotion while communicating a product’s personality or brand.

- Placement
- Usage
- Bases
- Example

Learn Before

Related

Learn After