Twenty Thousand Hertz

Auditory Icons: Credit card beeps to driverless car melodies

May 19, 2021
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ANECDOTE

Harsh Card Reader Beeps

  • Connor Moore noticed the harsh, infamous card reader beep in a store and found it very annoying but effective.
  • The sound was designed to be abrasive to ensure customers remembered to remove their cards, despite causing stress.
INSIGHT

Sound As A Form of Touch

  • Sounds affect us like a special form of touch, either pleasant or unpleasant depending on association or attributes.
  • Harsh, rough sounds like the card reader beep raise stress levels and can be annoying especially if loud.
ADVICE

Design Smart Warning Sounds

  • Design warning sounds to be effective but not annoying by mixing warmth, a soft attention grabber, and fullness.
  • This approach helps sound cut through noise in busy environments without causing stress or irritation.
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