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Designing with ears open: A study of sound, subconscious response, and UX/CUX
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School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Bachelor's thesis
Ask about the availability of the thesis by sending email to the Aalto University Learning Centre oppimiskeskus@aalto.fi
Authors
Date
2025
Department
Major/Subject
Design
Mcode
Degree programme
Bachelor's Programme in Design
Language
en
Pages
67+17
Series
Abstract
Sound plays an important role in our everyday lives. It influences how we feel and how we experience spaces, situations, and events. Yet the importance of sound is often underestimated when it comes to User Experience (UX) or Contextual User Experience (CUX) research. This bachelor’s thesis focuses on the opportunities sound offers within UX and CUX design—especially when the goal is to understand
users’ subconscious and implicit reactions.
The aim was to investigate whether sound can be used as a tool in user experience research and design, particularly in situations where visual or functional elements alone are not enough to reveal the user’s emotions and experiences. This study used qualitative research methods: interviews with sound designers and creative professionals, as well as an experimental “Sound Walk” method, where participants moved through an environment with microphones and headphones, observing only sound—without visual input. The goal was to understand what kinds of subconscious reactions sound can trigger, and how it affects spatial perception, emotions, and other responses.
The results showed that sound is a significant builder of context. It guides behavior especially when it is not consciously noticed. Sound brings out hidden feelings, memories, and cultural meanings—things that traditional visual interface research may not capture, because hearing operates deeply at a subconscious level. The study also demonstrated that sound can be used to collect insights in user research and design, even when sound is not a central feature of the project.
This research opens up new perspectives on how UX and CUX design can move in a more human-centered and multi-sensory direction by including sensory perception and subconscious reactions. Sound is often forgotten or used merely as decoration, even though it is a crucial part of how users perceive and engage with their surroundings.
Description
Supervisor
Chun, NamkyuThesis advisor
Joseph, AntonyKeywords
user experience, contextual user experience, sound design, implicit responses, subconscious responses, human centered design, research