Abstract
In the field of auditory display there is currently a lack of theoretical support for the design of non-speech sounds as elements of a user interface. Sound design methods are often based on ad hoc choices or the personal preferences of the designer. A method is proposed in this paper based on a semiotic approach to the design of non-speech sounds. In this approach, the design process is conceptualised by referring to structural semiotics, acknowledging the unique qualities of non-speech sounds, as a mode of conveying information. This method is based on a rich use scenario presented to a design panel. A case study where the design method has been applied is presented and evaluated. Finally recommendations for a practical design method are presented supported by this empirical investigation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Wixon, D., Wilson, C.: The usability engineering framework for product design and evaluation. In: Helander, M.G., Landauer, T.K., Prabhu, P.V. (eds.) Handbook of human-computer interaction, 2nd edn., pp. 653–688. Elsevier, Amsterdam (1997)
Patterson, R.D.: Guidelines for auditory warning systems on civil aircraft. Paper No. 82017. Civil Aviation Authority, London (1982)
Brewster, S., Wright, P., Edwards, A.: Experimentally derived guidelines for the creation of earcons. In: Adjunct Proceedings of HCI 1995, Huddersfield, UK, pp. 155–159 (1995)
Gaver, W.W.: Auditory icons: Using sound in computer interfaces. Human-Computer Interaction 2(2), 167–177 (1986)
Blattner, M., Sumikawa, D., Greenberg, R.: Earcons and icons: Their structure and common design principles. Human-Computer Interaction 4(1), 11–44 (1989)
Pirhonen, A.: To simulate or to stimulate? In search of the power of metaphor in design. In: Pirhonen, A., Isomäki, H., Roast, C., Saariluoma, P. (eds.) Future interaction design, pp. 105–123. Springer Verlag, Heidelberg (2004)
de Saussure, F.: Course in general linguistics. R. Harris (trans.). Duckworth, London (1983/1990)
Edworthy, J., Hellier, E., Hards, R.: The semantic associations of acoustic parameter commonly used in the design of auditory information and warning signals. Ergonomics 38(11), 2341–2361 (1995)
Nöth, W.: Handbook of semiotics. Indiana University Press, Bloomington (1990)
Carroll, J.M.: Making use: Scenario based design of human-computer interactions. MIT Press, Cambridge (2000)
Cooper, A.: The inmates are running the asylum: Why high-tech products drive us crazy and how to restore the sanity. Sams, Indianapolis (2004)
Pirhonen, A., Murphy, E., McAllister, G., Yu, W.: Non-speech sounds as elements of a use scenario: a semiotic perspective. In: Proceedings of ICAD 2006 (in press, 2006)
Yu, W., Kuber, R., Murphy, E., Strain, P., McAllister, G.: A novel multimodal interface for improving visually impaired people’s web accessibility. Virtual Reality 9(2), 133–148 (2005); Special issue on haptic interfaces and application
Beyer, H., Holzblatt, K.: Contextual design: Defining customer-centered systems. Morgan Kaufmann, San Francisco (1998)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2006 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Murphy, E., Pirhonen, A., McAllister, G., Yu, W. (2006). A Semiotic Approach to the Design of Non-speech Sounds. In: McGookin, D., Brewster, S. (eds) Haptic and Audio Interaction Design. HAID 2006. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 4129. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/11821731_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/11821731_12
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-37595-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-37596-8
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)