SOUND DESIGN SYSTEM
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SOUND DESIGN SYSTEM 🎛️
VOLUME UP!
WHY UPDATE ?
Since it’s founding in 2006, Twitter’s limited sound system remained. The signature Tweet sound (the whistle) wasn’t ownable by Twitter, it’s an iOS default. This system also did not account for neurodivergent people with sensory sensitivities.
Twitter’s New Sound Design System is contemporary, playful, with a twist of nostalgic self-awareness that takes into account the needs of neurodivergent customers and is ownable for Twitter.
NEURODIVERGENT
INDIVIDUALS RESEARCH
“I would get a ding and it would linger and it was horrible”
“I mostly keep my phone on silent… just because I find the noise jarring and uncomfortable”
“What really annoys me as an end user is when a sound doesn’t have a purpose other than just being there”
“Facebook Messenger’s ping is the worst one. It’s a ping and a pop combined. It’s very sudden”
“iPhone has the swooshes when you send a message… I wish I could send more emails because it’s kind of relaxing”
“[A sound is annoying] If it’s a distinct sound that is very repetitive”
RESULTS
Published at ASSETS 2022
— the world’s premier accessibility/HCI academic conference. First white paper on how sound impacts ND individuals.
Neurodivergence Survey Results
With our finalized audio, we surveyed 2,764 participants, both identifying as neurodivergent and neurotypical. We found the changes we made to our sounds based on our research benefited both people who identify as neurodivergent and neurotypical.
