The Semantic Expression Space of UX Sounds on the Functional Level of Product Communication. An Exploratory Study with Sound Designers and Consumers

This study investigates the communicative potential of UX sounds in electronic consumer products, focusing on how effectively they convey intended functional information. Drawing on the expertise of professionals in sonic interaction design and related fields, we identified linguistic phrases representing common functional communicative goals of UX sounds in real-world products and services. A set of 120 UX sounds from different brands was then evaluated in a listening test with 234 participants from the UK and Germany regarding their perceived functional meaning. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the study identifies key dimensions of functional meanings that can be coherently expressed by the tested sounds. The results led to the development of FMUX, a two-part standardized measurement instrument for efficiently evaluating functional meanings conveyed by UX sounds. Despite limitations regarding sample size, cultural scope, and sound pool, the study provides a foundation for future research and MIR- or machine learning-based analyses.