Sound was the catalyst that initially sparked my interest in technology. Back when I was attending a multimedia class at university 25 years ago, one of the docents mentioned something that stuck with me — the notion that nearly anything could be stored in a database, even sound. Given my passion for sound engineering and music, this idea immediately captivated me. It did take me several good years to fully grasp the intricacies of managing audio within a database. However, throughout this journey, I discovered a multitude of exciting opportunities for incorporating sound into my career as a human interface designer.

User experience (UX) design is a multifaceted discipline that seeks to create seamless, enjoyable interactions between humans and digital products. While visual elements often take the spotlight in UX discussions, the role of sound in shaping our experiences is equally crucial and often overlooked. In this article, we’ll explore the psychology of sound, the principles of sound design, its impact on UX, and the future trends in this fascinating field.

The Psychology of Sound

Before delving into the world of sound design, it’s essential to understand the psychology behind how we perceive and react to sounds.

Sound is a multi-sensory experience, and our brains process auditory information in conjunction with visual, tactile, and even olfactory cues. This integration of sensory inputs shapes our overall perception of the world around us. Here are some key aspects of auditory perception:

1. Soundscape: Our brains use auditory cues to determine the direction and distance of sounds. This is essential for spatial awareness and can be crucial for survival.

2. Emotional Responses: Sounds have the power to evoke strong emotions. For example, the sound of a baby laughing is universally associated with joy, while a sudden loud noise can trigger fear or startle reactions.

3. Cognitive Processing: Auditory information is processed rapidly in the brain. It often takes less time to recognize and respond to sounds than visual stimuli. This quick processing can influence our behavior and decision-making.

4. Associations and Memories: Sounds are strongly linked to memories and associations. Hearing a particular song may transport you back in time to a specific moment in your life, eliciting emotions associated with that memory, one of true instances of synesthesia.

Emotional Impact of Sounds

The emotional impact of sounds is a fascinating area of study within auditory psychology. Different types of sounds can evoke a wide range of emotions:

1. Positive Emotions: Uplifting music, laughter, and nature sounds like birdsong often evoke positive emotions such as happiness, contentment, or relaxation.

2. Negative Emotions: Harsh or dissonant sounds, as well as sudden loud noises like alarms, can trigger negative emotions like stress, anxiety, or annoyance.

3. Emotionally Neutral Sounds: Some sounds, like white noise or background chatter, may not elicit strong emotions but can still affect our mood and concentration levels.

Auditory Cues and Decision-Making

Sounds also play a role in guiding our decision-making processes. In many situations, we rely on auditory cues to make judgments and choices:

1. Safety: We use sounds to assess our environment for potential threats. The sound of footsteps approaching from behind, for instance, can trigger a fight-or-flight response.

2. Trust and Familiarity: Familiar sounds can instill a sense of trust and comfort. For instance, the sound of a well-designed car engine can convey reliability and quality.

3. Productivity: In work and study environments, background sounds like ambient music or white noise can enhance focus and productivity by masking distractions.

Sound Design Principles

Good sound design in UX is rooted in several fundamental principles:

1. Affordances

Affordances refer to the perceived action possibilities of an object or interface. In sound design, this principle involves making sounds match their associated actions or functions.

Users should intuitively understand how to interact with a digital product based on the sounds it emits. For example, a soft “click” sound when pressing a button indicates that an action has been taken. This auditory cue provides a clear affordance, helping users understand the functionality of the interface.

2. Feedback

Feedback in sound design involves providing users with immediate and informative responses to their actions.

Auditory feedback is crucial for confirming that an action has been successfully executed. It can also serve as error alerts, guiding users in correcting their actions when something goes wrong. Effective feedback enhances the user’s sense of control and comprehension of the system.

3. Consistency

Consistency in sound design ensures that similar actions or elements produce similar sounds throughout a digital product.

Maintaining a consistent auditory language across an application or website is essential for user comprehension and predictability. Users should be able to rely on sound cues to navigate and interact with the interface confidently. For example, buttons of the same type should produce the same sound when clicked, creating a sense of familiarity.

4. Hierarchy

Hierarchy in sound design involves assigning different levels of importance or prominence to various auditory elements.

In complex digital products or multimedia experiences, not all sounds are equal in significance. Hierarchy helps users focus on the most critical auditory cues while filtering out less important ones. For example, in a video game, the sound of an approaching enemy might take precedence over ambient background noise.

5. Context Sensitivity

Context sensitivity means that sound design adapts to the user’s context or situation.

Sound should respond to the user’s actions and the context in which they occur. For instance, in a messaging app, the notification sound for a new message may vary depending on whether the user is in a quiet meeting or a noisy café. Context-sensitive sound design ensures that the auditory experience is appropriate and non-disruptive.

6. Accessibility

Accessibility in sound design involves making auditory elements inclusive and usable by individuals with disabilities.

Sound is not just about hearing but also about conveying information. Considerations for accessibility include providing alternative auditory cues for those with hearing impairments, ensuring compatibility with screen readers, and offering customization options for volume and pitch.

7. Aesthetic Appeal

Aesthetic appeal in sound design relates to creating sounds that are pleasant, engaging, and aligned with the overall design aesthetics.

The auditory experience should complement the visual and functional aspects of a product. Well-designed sounds can enhance the user’s emotional connection to the product and contribute to an enjoyable and memorable experience. For example, a beautifully composed theme music can set the tone for a video game or app.

8. User Testing and Iteration

User testing and iteration involve collecting feedback from users and refining the sound design based on their preferences and responses.

Sound design is not a one-time task but an ongoing process. User testing helps identify what works and what needs improvement. Iteration ensures that the auditory experience aligns with user expectations and preferences.

Auditory Feedback

Auditory feedback, also known as audio feedback or sonic feedback, is a fundamental aspect of sound design in various fields, including user experience (UX), technology, and human-machine interactions. It involves the use of sound to provide users with real-time information about the outcomes of their actions or the state of a system. Let’s delve into the details of auditory feedback:

The Role of Auditory Feedback

1. Confirmation of User Actions

Auditory feedback confirms to users that their input or action has been successfully executed. It’s akin to a reassuring nod that tells users, “Yes, your command was received and acted upon.” This confirmation is particularly crucial in situations where visual feedback may be limited, such as when interacting with voice-activated systems or while using touchscreens without tactile feedback.

2. Error Detection and Alerts

Auditory feedback also serves as a tool for error detection and alerts. When something goes wrong or if the user’s action is not permitted, distinct auditory cues can inform them about the issue. These error sounds can range from gentle warning tones to more attention-grabbing alarms, depending on the severity of the problem. This helps users quickly identify and address errors, improving the overall user experience.

3. State Changes and Updates

In complex systems or applications, auditory feedback is used to convey changes in the system’s state. For instance, in a navigation app, users may receive voice instructions to turn left or right. These spoken directions serve as auditory feedback, keeping users informed about their progress and the next steps to take.

4. Progress and Completion Indicators

Auditory cues are also used as progress indicators or signals of task completion. Consider a file download; the sound of a completed download is a form of auditory feedback that tells the user the task has finished successfully. Similarly, during video editing, audio feedback can indicate the completion of rendering or exporting a video project.

Designing Effective Auditory Feedback

Creating effective auditory feedback requires careful consideration of various design principles:

1. Clarity: Auditory feedback should be clear and distinct, ensuring users can easily differentiate between different cues. Consistency in sound design is essential so that users can develop an understanding of what each sound represents.

2. Relevance: Feedback sounds should be contextually relevant. They should match the user’s action and the situation. For example, a camera shutter sound confirms taking a photo, while a “whoosh” sound can signify sending a message.

3. Customization: In many applications, users appreciate the ability to customize feedback sounds. Allowing users to choose from a range of sound options or adjust volume settings can enhance their overall experience.

4. Accessibility: Consider the needs of users with disabilities. Provide alternative forms of feedback for individuals who may have difficulty hearing, such as visual cues or vibrations.

5. Non-Intrusiveness: While feedback sounds should grab the user’s attention when necessary (e.g., for error alerts), they should generally be non-intrusive and not disrupt the user’s focus.

6. User Testing: Iterative design involving user testing is vital to ensure that the chosen auditory feedback elements align with user expectations and preferences.

Examples

To illustrate the concept, consider the following real-world examples:

• Smartphone Keystrokes: The subtle click sound when typing on a smartphone keyboard confirms each keypress, enhancing the typing experience.
• Car Safety Alerts: Modern vehicles often include auditory feedback for safety features like lane departure warnings, ensuring drivers are aware of potential dangers.
• E-commerce Checkout: The satisfying “ding” sound after successfully completing an online purchase provides a sense of accomplishment and security to the user.

Sonic Branding

Sonic branding, also known as audio branding or sound branding, is a strategic approach used by businesses and organizations to create a distinctive and memorable auditory identity. Similar to visual branding, which involves logos, colors, and visual elements, sonic branding focuses on creating unique and recognizable sounds or music to represent a brand. Let’s delve into the details of sonic branding:

The Importance of Sonic Branding

Sonic branding is essential for several reasons:

1. Brand Recognition: Just as a well-designed logo helps consumers instantly recognize a brand, distinctive sonic elements can achieve the same effect. When consumers hear a specific sound or piece of music, they should immediately associate it with a particular brand.

2. Emotional Connection: Music and sound have a powerful impact on emotions. Sonic branding allows brands to evoke specific feelings and emotions in their audience. For example, a soothing melody can create a sense of calm, while an upbeat tune can inspire energy and enthusiasm.

3. Consistency: Sonic branding ensures consistency across various touchpoints. Whether it’s in advertising, on websites, in apps, or in physical stores, consistent sound elements reinforce brand identity and messaging.

4. Memorability: Memorable jingles or sonic cues can stay with consumers long after they’ve encountered them. This can lead to increased brand recall and loyalty.

Elements of Sonic Branding

Sonic branding involves several key elements:

1. Audio Logo: An audio logo, also known as a mnemonic or audio signature, is a concise and distinctive sound that represents a brand. It’s often used at the beginning or end of commercials, videos, or other brand-related content. Famous examples include the Intel jingle or the McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle.

2. Brand Theme Music: Some brands create original theme music that becomes synonymous with their identity. Think of the Intel “Intel Inside” theme or the NBC chimes, which have been in use for decades.

3. Soundscapes: Some brands develop a unique soundscape that represents their brand. This can include ambient sounds, nature sounds, or other auditory elements that create a specific atmosphere associated with the brand.

4. Voice and Tone: The choice of voice actors and the tone of voice in audio advertising or brand content also play a role in sonic branding. Familiar voices or a consistent tone can reinforce brand identity.

5. Sound Effects: Even specific sound effects can become part of a brand’s identity. For example, the “swish” sound in Nike’s commercials has become iconic.

The Process of Creating Sonic Branding

Creating effective sonic branding involves a structured process:

1. Brand Analysis: Understand the brand’s values, mission, target audience, and overall identity. Consider how sound can convey these elements.

2. Creative Development: Work with composers, sound designers, and musicians to create sonic elements that align with the brand’s identity and objectives.

3. Testing and Refinement: Test the sonic elements with focus groups or target audiences to ensure they evoke the desired emotional response and brand association.

4. Implementation: Integrate the sonic branding elements across all relevant touchpoints, including advertising, digital platforms, phone systems, and physical locations.

5. Consistent Use: Continually use and reinforce the sonic branding elements to build recognition and association over time.

Successful Examples of Sonic Branding

Several brands have achieved success with sonic branding:

• Intel: The five-note Intel jingle is one of the most recognizable audio logos in the tech industry.
• McDonald’s: The “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle is heard worldwide in McDonald’s advertising.
• Nokia: The Nokia ringtone is iconic and instantly associated with the brand.
• Microsoft: The Windows startup sound is a well-known example of sonic branding.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Sound is also a crucial element for making digital products accessible to all users. It plays a significant role in providing information to those with visual impairments. Features like screen readers and haptic feedback rely on sound to convey information.

Usage

To illustrate the real-world impact of sound in UX, here are few samples:

1. Mobile Banking App: The use of a subtle “cha-ching” sound when a financial transaction is successful provides users with a sense of accomplishment and reassurance.
2. Video Streaming Service: The distinct sound that plays when a video is paused or resumed helps users easily track the status of their content.

Challenges and Pitfalls

While sounds can significantly enhance the user experience (UX), they also present challenges and potential pitfalls that designers must carefully consider. Let’s explore these challenges and pitfalls:

Challenges of Using Sounds in UX

1. Overwhelming Users:

• Challenge: Too many sounds or overly complex auditory feedback can overwhelm users, leading to a negative experience.
• Approach: Prioritize essential sounds and use them sparingly. Ensure that sounds are relevant and not excessive.

2. Intrusiveness:

• Challenge: Sounds can be disruptive, especially in quiet or public settings, potentially annoying users.
• Approach: Provide options for users to control or mute sounds. Use non-intrusive sounds when possible, and avoid auto-playing audio.

3. Inconsistent Interpretation:

• Challenge: Users may interpret sounds differently based on cultural or personal backgrounds, leading to potential miscommunication.
• Approach: Conduct user testing to ensure that sounds convey the intended meaning universally. Use culturally neutral sounds when possible.

4. Accessibility:

• Challenge: Not all users can hear or interpret sounds, which can exclude individuals with hearing impairments.
• Approach: Offer alternative forms of feedback, such as visual cues or vibrations. Ensure compatibility with screen readers for auditory information.

5. Distracting from Key Tasks:

• Challenge: Sounds that are too attention-grabbing can divert users’ focus away from their primary tasks.
• Approach: Design sounds that enhance, rather than detract from, the user’s main objectives. Avoid using overly flashy or distracting sounds.

Pitfalls of Using Sounds in UX

1. Poorly Designed Feedback Sounds:

• Pitfall: If auditory feedback is poorly designed, it can confuse users rather than provide clarity.
• Prevention: Test feedback sounds with users to ensure they understand their meaning and purpose.

2. Inconsistent Branding:

• Pitfall: Inconsistent use of sounds can dilute a brand’s identity and create confusion.
• Prevention: Maintain a consistent auditory language across all brand touchpoints and products.

3. Complex Soundscapes:

• Pitfall: Complex or layered soundscapes may overwhelm users, making it difficult to process information.
• Prevention: Keep soundscapes simple and avoid overloading users with multiple auditory elements simultaneously.

4. Ignoring User Preferences:

• Pitfall: Failing to allow users to customize or control sound settings can lead to frustration.
• Prevention: Provide options for users to adjust sound volume, disable specific sounds, or choose from a range of feedback options.

5. Lack of Testing:

• Pitfall: Implementing sounds without user testing can result in unexpected negative reactions.
• Prevention: Conduct usability testing with representative users to gather feedback on sound design choices.

Future Trends

The field of sound design in UX is evolving rapidly, and several exciting future trends are shaping how sound will be integrated into user experiences. These trends leverage advancements in technology and a deeper understanding of human perception. Here are some future trends of sounds in UX:

1. Spatial Audio for Immersive Experiences

Trend: Spatial audio is gaining prominence in UX, especially in virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) applications. It allows designers to create immersive 3D soundscapes, enhancing the sense of presence and realism in virtual environments.

Impact: Users will experience more realistic and engaging interactions in VR/AR environments, such as games, training simulations, and virtual tours. Sounds will be spatially positioned, giving users a sense of direction and depth, which is crucial for navigation and situational awareness.

2. AI-Generated Sounds

Trend: Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to generate and adapt sounds dynamically based on user interactions and environmental factors. AI-driven sound synthesis can create unique and contextually relevant auditory experiences.

Impact: AI-generated sounds can provide personalized and responsive feedback to users. For example, an AI-driven voice assistant can adapt its tone and responses based on the user’s mood or context, making interactions more natural and empathetic.

3. Sonic Personalization

Trend: UX designers are exploring ways to personalize sound experiences for individual users. This involves tailoring sounds to match a user’s preferences, habits, and sensory abilities.

Impact: Users will have the option to customize soundscapes, feedback tones, and voice interfaces to suit their preferences. This personalization enhances user comfort and engagement while ensuring accessibility for individuals with varying auditory needs.

4. Multimodal Experiences

Trend: The integration of sound with other sensory modalities (such as touch and sight) is becoming more prevalent. This trend aims to create richer, multimodal user experiences.

Impact: Users will encounter digital products and interfaces that seamlessly combine sound, haptic feedback, and visual elements to provide comprehensive and engaging interactions. For example, a gaming controller may provide synchronized haptic feedback and sound effects for a more immersive gaming experience.

5. Minimalist and Subtle Sound Design

Trend: In contrast to the early days of digital interfaces filled with attention-grabbing sounds, there’s a trend towards minimalist and subtle sound design. Designers are prioritizing non-intrusive auditory feedback.

Impact: Users will appreciate digital products and applications that use sound sparingly and thoughtfully. Subtle sounds will enhance the user experience without being distracting or disruptive.

6. Cross-Platform Consistency

Trend: Brands are recognizing the importance of consistent sound identity across various platforms and devices. This trend involves creating unified auditory branding that extends seamlessly from mobile apps to smart speakers.

Impact: Users will associate consistent auditory cues with a brand, regardless of the device or platform they use. This reinforces brand identity and improves user recognition and trust.

7. Voice User Interfaces (VUIs) Evolution

Trend: VUIs, like voice assistants, are becoming more sophisticated and context-aware. They are evolving from basic command-response systems to conversational interfaces with nuanced auditory interactions.

Impact: Users will enjoy more natural and conversational interactions with voice assistants. Improved voice recognition, understanding of context, and emotional intelligence will make VUIs feel more like knowledgeable companions.

8. Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Soundscapes

Trend: As environmental consciousness grows, there’s a trend toward creating eco-friendly soundscapes in UX. These soundscapes aim to reduce auditory pollution and promote calm and sustainable auditory environments.

Impact: Users will encounter digital products and public spaces designed with acoustic sustainability in mind, contributing to reduced stress and improved well-being.

These future trends in sound design for UX reflect the growing importance of auditory experiences in digital interactions. Designers will need to adapt to these trends to create more engaging, personalized, and context-aware soundscapes that enhance user satisfaction and usability.

Conclusion

In the realm of UX design, sounds are the unsung heroes that can elevate digital experiences to new heights. By understanding the psychology of sound, following sound design principles, and being mindful of the impact on users, designers can harness the power of auditory design to create truly exceptional user experiences.

Further reading

Designing Sound — Andy Farnell

ISBN 978–0–262–01441–0

Designing Sound

Mental Models, Aligning Design Strategy with Human Behavior — Indi Young

ISBN 978–193382000604

Mental Models - Rosenfeld Media

Intro

Music has always been an indispensable part of my life journey. From proclivity towards glam rock of the late 80s to the mid-90s as my adolescence soundtrack to more intricate sounds and composition of prog-rock that I started to grow fondness of in my late 30s as contemplating backing sound.

“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.”

― Kahlil Gibran

Music, for me, in many ways gives vim, motive, and at the same time, escape medium from my métier as a human interface designer.

In my realm of creativity and human interaction, two seemingly distinct fields, music, and user experience (UX) design, find an unexpected yet harmonious connection. Music, a language of emotions, and UX design, a language of digital interaction, share more than meets the eye.

Music and UX involve balancing elements to evoke emotions — music through melody, rhythm, and harmony, and user experience through layout, interaction, and aesthetics. Just as dissonance can disrupt a musical piece, discordance in user experience can deter users. Both music and UX aim to engage their respective audiences and create indelible, fulfilling experiences.

This write-up delves into the fascinating correlation between music and UX, also exploring how musical concepts align with UX principles to produce resonant digital experiences.

In essence, both music and user experience design are creative disciplines that rely on the manipulation of elements to create meaningful and engaging experiences. They both involve a deep understanding of human psychology, emotions, and behavior, and they share the goal of leaving a lasting impression on their audience.

I will elaborate on three key facets of the intersection between Music and UX: foundational elements, guiding principles, and the audience journey.

Foundational Elements

1. Emotional Impact: Both music and UX design aim to evoke emotional responses. In music, notes, chords, and melodies are used to create various emotions, whether it’s happiness, sadness, excitement, or tranquility. Similarly, UX design considers color schemes, typography, and layout to evoke specific emotions and connect with users on an emotional level.
2. Composition and Layout: In music, composition involves arranging musical elements to create a coherent and pleasing piece. Similarly, UX design involves arranging elements on a screen to ensure a logical flow, visual rhythm, and intuitive interaction. Both fields require a sense of balance, rhythm, and harmony to create a cohesive and engaging experience.
3. Attention and Focus: Music employs dynamics and pacing to direct the listener’s attention and focus. Crescendos and decrescendos guide the listener’s emotions. In UX, visual hierarchy, contrast, and animations are used to guide the user’s attention to important elements and actions. Both music and UX use these techniques to control the user’s experience.
4. Feedback and Responsiveness: Music provides immediate feedback to the listener based on certain parts of the composition such as emphasis on a lyric or section, allowing the user to feel the context. Similarly, UX design incorporates feedback mechanisms like animations, micro-interactions, and progress indicators to inform users about the system’s response to their actions. This real-time feedback enhances the overall experience.
5. Usability and Intuitiveness: Just as musicians strive for playable and accessible compositions, UX designers aim for usability and intuitiveness. In music, a piece that’s too complex can be difficult to perform, while in UX, overly complicated interfaces can frustrate users. Both fields emphasize simplicity and clear communication.
6. Storytelling: Music often tells a story or conveys a message without words. Similarly, UX design can tell a story through the user’s journey, guiding them through a series of interactions that create a narrative. This narrative structure helps users understand the purpose and benefits of a product or service.
7. Cultural and Personal Relevance: Music can be culturally specific or deeply personal, resonating with different individuals on various levels. Similarly, UX design should take into account cultural differences and cater to individual preferences, creating experiences that are relevant and meaningful.
8. Accessibility and Inclusivity: Music can be made accessible through various adaptations, such as simplified arrangements or alternative instruments. Similarly, UX design aims to make products accessible to a diverse range of users, including those with disabilities, by incorporating features like screen readers and keyboard navigation.

Guiding Principle

The Emotional Parallels: At the heart of both music and UX lies the power to evoke emotions. Just as a melancholic melody can tug at heartstrings, a well-crafted UX can elicit feelings of satisfaction and delight. Both domains orchestrate elements — notes in music and design elements in UX — to provoke emotional responses, whether it’s a sense of tranquility, excitement, or urgency.

Law of Familiarity and Musical Patterns: Much like music patterns that guide listeners through a composition, the Law of Familiarity in UX ensures consistency in design, allowing users to predict interactions. Just as musical patterns create a sense of comfort and anticipation thus producing a composition that is “easy listening”, familiar UX elements reassure users of an easy-to-follow interaction pattern.

Law of Proximity and Harmonic Progressions: The Law of Proximity in UX design groups related elements, streamlining comprehension. Similarly, harmonies in music group chords for pleasant listening. Just as harmonic progressions in music create a sense of resolution, proximity in UX generates a cohesive interface that users can navigate effortlessly.

Law of Closure and Rhythmic Phrases: The Law of Closure in UX suggests that users mentally complete incomplete shapes. This mirrors rhythmic phrases in music, where listeners anticipate the completion of melodic patterns. UX closure engages users by inviting them to interact further, much like musical phrases beckon listeners to keep listening.

Law of Continuity and Melodic Lines: UX design’s Law of Continuity emphasizes the smooth flow of elements. This mirrors melodic lines in music, where listeners follow coherent patterns. Both concepts ensure a seamless journey that users can follow without confusion.

Law of Contrast and Dynamic Changes: In UX, the Law of Contrast employs varying visual elements to highlight importance. Similarly, music utilizes dynamic changes in volume, tempo, and timbre to create interest. Both practices guide attention and maintain engagement.

Audience Journey

The Journey of Interaction: Much like the narrative arc of a musical composition, UX design takes users on a journey. This journey involves a series of interactions, each contributing to the overall experience.

Introduction (Exposition) and Onboarding: The exposition in music introduces themes, setting the stage for the composition. Similarly, onboarding in UX introduces users to a new interface. Both ensure a smooth introduction to what’s to come.

Development and User Engagement: As a musical composition develops its themes, UX design engages users through meaningful interactions. Both fields keep users invested by maintaining a sense of progression and intrigue.

Climax and Actionable Moments: The climax of a musical piece is its emotional zenith usually manifested in the form of an interlude or chorus towards the ending accompanied by vocal in higher octave register and instrument harmonies. Likewise, UX design’s actionable moments come after a series of actions culminating in a final call to action, such as a “Submit” button, creating a peak in user engagement. Both deliver impactful experiences that leave a lasting impression.

Conclusion (Coda) and Feedback: A musical coda provides closure to a piece, much like UX feedback signals the completion of an interaction. Both serve to wrap up the experience and give users a sense of accomplishment.

Outro

The relationship between music and UX design transcends the surface, revealing a shared passion for eliciting emotions and guiding experiences.

Just as musicians use musical theory to create harmonious compositions, UX designers adhere to fundamental principles to craft engaging interfaces. Whether through emotional resonance, narrative arcs, or user engagement, the correlation between music and UX laws underscores the profound artistry involved in creating experiences that resonate deeply with people.

By recognizing the parallels between these two creative disciplines, designers can compose digital symphonies that leave a lasting impression on users.

Let me know what you think about this write-up, and share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Thanks for reading this far.

Further reading:

Schoenberg, Fundamentals of Musical Composition https://monoskop.org/images/d/da/Schoenberg_Arnold_Fundamentals_of_Musical_Composition_no_OCR.pdf

Home | Laws of UX

Alright, I admit the title is kind of clickbait. But in all seriousness, I’ve found drumming — which I do in spare time as a hobby with my bandmates — has helped me in identifying facets that are crucial in my design career as well.

With drumming, I exercise in developing listening skills, collaboration, tolerance, experimenting and overcoming repeated failure, and self-discipline.

These aspects also helped me when applied to my other life as a designer. I switch my perspective — depending on the context — from being a band member, into a design team member or advocating the user of my design. Here are the things that I learned.

Listening skill

“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.”

— Dalai Lama

Hearing is the physical ability, listening is a skill. It is the ability to acquire and comprehend messages that another person transmitted in communication.

By listening, one able to find meaning and understand what another person is trying to convey. Furthermore, here are what I learn by listening:

• Listening make me more productive. By listening I’m able to understand what my bandmates are expecting. I could then articulate my understanding of work that need to fit in with the rest of my bandmates’ work.
• I bond better. The ability to listen and to comprehend also allows me to bond better with my bandmate. When I listen, I show respect. Listening long enough might answer questions I have in mind without the need to ask.
• Understand the responsibilities and context better. I find it whenever I listen well, my drumming also fits well into the song that my bandmates are composing. On the contrary, when I chose to focus on how to make the drumming composition sounds good, most of the time it falls short.

When all my bandmates listen and articulate their understanding, we perform well. We understand that effective communication is about knowing what is being said, not who says it.

The more I listen, the less I have to revise my work.

Collaboration

“Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”

— Henry Ford

A band is all about collective effort, shared understanding, and goals. Each of my bandmates brings their unique talent and contributes. We get together to imagine and co-create.

The same thing happens in a design team. Different disciplines and experiences make up a team. Throughout the past a decade and a half, I served various businesses, from startups to Fortune 500 companies.

One of the most significant factors that contribute to the success of any business is whether its personnel can work together as a team.

Working in a team enables me to make faster progress and more efficient in my work, as opposed to when I work on projects on my own.

Collaborating also makes me more morally responsible, which in turn increases motivation.

For me, collaborating in either solving a design problem or composing music, it gives me a chance to:

• Challenge my thinking. To articulate and clarify ideas. It serves as a way that gives me a reflection of my strengths and weaknesses.
• Look at the bigger picture. To know how to leverage differences and identify how they can complement each other.
• Learn new things. Whenever I work together with my bandmates or teammates, I essentially absorbing new knowledge, whereas I hope the same thing for the opposite. It’s also a way to grow and develop.
• Encourage creativity. Whenever I collaborate, I usually go beyond my comfort zones. In turn, this could yield results in a completely unexpected outcome.

Now to one of my all-time favorite collaborations, Queen and David Bowie.

Tolerance

“What is tolerance? It is the consequence of humanity. We are all formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other’s folly — that is the first law of nature.”

— Voltaire

Based on its Latin origin, tolerance is perceived in a negative way as in to endure with something we dislike.

Tolerance is a moral commitment that involves mutual respect and thoughtfulness between people. Tolerance makes it possible for differing thoughts, stances, and ideas to coexist. It also makes mistakes and imperfections allowed.

It’s those imperfections that my bandmates owns that make us a band with distinct characters. The lack of precision when drumming, not savoring colors with a high percentage of saturation, are few of the things which make me what I am and what I do, both in drumming and designing.

Everyone has their highs and lows, so it’s unrealistic to expect one to meet expectations all the time. I learned by tolerating, I’m less stressed and at the same time, I can:

• Focus on the good things. My band’s vocalist has a pleasant raspy deep voice. Whenever he hits high notes, we feel it could be softer. We then choose to exploit his character by writing songs within the lower and medium range of his voice octave.
• Devise the weakness. I’m not good at intricate drumming, so I focused on groove making and the characteristics of how my kit sounds. By doing so, the song arrangement allows other instruments to stand out. We learn how to make the song sounds good.

Experimenting (and overcoming repeated failure)

“All of life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

We live in a world where most of our life aspects stand upon specific beliefs and a certain set of standards and rules. These are either helpful or hindrance to our progress. Failing to meet these standards and rules perceived as failure or setback.

I was a drummer for a band that signed a three-albums contract with Warner Music Indonesia. The band’s genre was pop-rock. There was a time when we were trying to follow the pattern for an easy-listening song. This pattern is a series of chord progression, time signature, and arrangements that are commercially proven.

In the end, it feels bland and not gaining the like of Warner’s artists and repertoire, and more importantly, our listeners. The song sounded like a song that came out of a template. It was a setback, a mistake.

We have failed. It was no fun to waste time and not to mention the album production budget. But we can’t avoid it either unless we avoid doing it at all.

Trying to be positive, albeit the tight deadline and slimmer budget, we saw the failure as an opportunity to gain feedback. We use it to improve rather than only as a setback. We asked ourselves:

• What can we learn from this?
• How can we adjust the course to avoid making the same mistake and likely do better next time?
• What’s one thing we can do differently the next time?

We eventually discarded the song’s arrangement and tried in a completely different direction. We include distorted drum loops that used to be found in industrial-rock track, juxtaposed with mellow sound of Rhodes MK1 electric piano. We also brought brass section which inspired by 60s big-band and electric guitar interlude from the 90s into the song. To sweeten the song, we added tremolo guitar fills. As for the drums, I used a 70s vintage kit but recorded and mixed in a modern way.

Turned out the song was catching attention with its unusual arrangement. We were satisfied with the result, the producer was happy. Our experiment paid-off.

To give you a picture of how it all sounds altogether, you can play the song below.

“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”

— Michael Jordan

As a digital product designer, most of the time I have to follow common practices, standards, or guidelines in design. Often, I couldn’t find use-cases with scenarios and or approaches alike.

As I encounter such a situation, I usually experiment by seeking the very essence of the issue while removing distracting features. I then attempt to analyse that central issue and apply those insights to the larger whole.

Subsequently, test the hypotheses by using certain user research method(s). The research is to verify the assumption, making sure it’s not a vain attempt.

Self Discipline

“With self-discipline, most anything is possible”

— Theodore Roosevelt

No personal success, achievement, or goal, can be realised without self-discipline. It is the ability to control one’s desires and behaviour, to pursue what one thinks is right, despite temptations to abandon it.

Back in 2006, when my former band was recording our second album, I have another responsibility as a programmer. Despite difficulties, I had to shift between these two roles. I practice the drum part daily after work. I rehearse with the band for two-three hours in the evening. In the morning, I do a code review with the lead programmer. I did this for months.

Back then, as a programmer, I was involved in a project to build a train control system. I was responsible for developing the user interface which is a vital part of the system.

The album and the user interface works are both critical for me. I can not give up any of them. The consequences would be dire. For the band, they can not afford to search for a replacement in a short time when the recording budget was already much slimmer. For the company, they can not be in a situation where they have to re-train a new programmer for months when the project was already at risk of delay.

Both the album and the project were done, in place of a slight delay which was tolerable. Both were quite an achievement for me, although minuscule.

I won’t be able to make it should I can’t maintain self-discipline. So, here are a few benefits of maintaining self-discipline that I experienced.

• It gives me confidence when I handle rather-difficult tasks.
• I have a higher tolerance for frustration, more patience.
• It allows me to obtain a good work ethic.

In general, the more disciplined I become, the easier my life feels.

Outro

Thanks for reading my first article ever. Hopefully, you get something positive out of this reading.

I’d like to know how you learn from your experiences. I’m on LinkedIn, Dribbble, Soundcloud, and Twitter. Let’s connect.