Understanding the impression of product sounds by integrating quantitative and qualitative findings

The aim of this study was to understand impressions of product sounds by combining quantitative and qualitative findings through an empirical study using 10 camera shutter sounds. The evaluated impressions were smartness, friendliness, and satisfaction. Subjective ratings using 29 sound descriptors and paper-and-pencil interviews were performed with 50 participants. Psychoacoustic analysis and determinant analysis were applied for quantitative analysis. Frequency analysis on keywords from interviews was conducted as a qualitative analysis. A framework for combining quantitative and qualitative findings on the product sound was developed. As a result, distinguishing factors relevant to each impression variable were identified. This study also derived several insights into how to capture sonic experience of products. The results of this study can help designers or executors to develop a basis for understanding a subtle distinction between the impressions of product sounds in terms of users and to establish design criteria for implementation of product sounds in early-stage product development.