The choice of color plays a great role in shaping the user experience. The studies on the associations between colors and certain meanings show that companies can visually represent their message and engage the customer base with appropriate colors (Barševska & Rakele, 2019). For example, blue is the most used color for social media applications and websites – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other applications use a blue hue to manufacture a clean, technology-driven, and credible image (Barševska & Rakele, 2019). Different colors can also help signify stability, fun, creativity, and other characteristics that attract a desired audience. Furthermore, the design of each page also benefits from correct contrasts and simplicity – the user has to see the text, buttons, and other elements of the page to interact with them. Color helps to highlight areas for clicking and guiding users through the content organically, assisting them in reaching their goals.
The information gathered from research demonstrates how specific tips for using color can help one create an effective app. Based on this knowledge, it is necessary to consider choosing a specific recognizable color to identify my application. The color will be based on common associations, and I aim to research how distinct hues are seen by the audience I wish to engage with the app. I will also focus on a clear and simple design to avoid confusion and provide the best user experience. For example, Barševska and Rakele (2019) recommend starting the development process in white and black to see whether the format is understandable enough without color. Then, I will add accents that make the app unique and memorable.
Sound is another important element of designing to improve user experience. Different tones allow the application to stand out even if they are working in the background mode (Faller, 2019). Some sounds can increase stress in people, while others can attract attention without negatively affecting them (Faller, 2019). In my experience, short and moderately loud melodies work well, and many apps use tones resembling a bell. A proper sound cue may stimulate the user to interact with an app more frequently or perform certain activities within the application. Smartphones use sounds to notify the user, while TVs incorporate auditory cues to support people with visual disabilities. Thus, it is vital to consider whether specific steps need notifications that include a tone. For example, the completion of an action can be followed by a sound to keep the user informed if they are not looking at the screen. Another example is a specific tone for receiving messages which can help distinguish the app from others and create a memorable link in the user’s mind.
The investigation of how sounds influence user experience highlights the need to use sound in specific types of applications. I aim to consider this knowledge when designing apps for communication and think about how sound can be used to help users with disabilities navigate. Furthermore, I learned that some sounds might be too distracting or stressful for users. Thus, it is necessary to test sounds and see people’s reactions to them to choose the most suitable one. I will sparingly use sounds in my apps to ensure that they do not worsen the user experience.
In conclusion, sound and color can improve the user experience, but they can also overwhelm the user or fail to convey the intended message. Colorblind or deaf users may not get the full experience of using an app that does not account for disabilities. Therefore, when designing applications, one must consider the different types of users and their specific needs. The design should be balanced and thought-out to guide the user organically. For instance, an application can have several modes, such as dark, light, or high contrast, to accommodate different preferences. Furthermore, the user should be able to turn the sounds off and on, and sound cues should not be used on elements that do not require an alert.
References
Barševska, Z., & Rakele, O. (2019). Color in UI design. Proceedings of the 61st International Scientific Conference of Daugavpils University, 79-87.
Faller, P. (2019). Sounds like good design – Season 2, episode 3. Adobe. Web.