SOUND DESIGN FOR ACCESSIBILITY

Guide, reassure, excite, calm, celebrate. Get attention — Fast.

Haptics
Voice
Mnemonics
User interface sounds
The new sonic logos — mnemonics, interface sounds, and haptics are powerful memory triggers. Shortcuts to the brain that motivate, guide, and help disabled people learn and use your products & services.

Accessible sound design is


INFORMATION

Tells people when something changes.


ADAPTABLE

Adapts to different situations & environments.


ADAPTABLE

Matches different hearing, and sensory preferences.


EMOTIONAL

Encourages interaction and use.


EMOTIONAL

Reinforces correct actions.


MEANINGFUL

Matches people's expectations & intention.


MEANINGFUL

Doesn't increase cognitive load or get in people's way.


MEANINGFUL

Is only used when necessary.

People use products how they want, where they want.
— often in unintended ways.

SO YOUR PRODUCTS SHOULD ADAPT TO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS.

Different situations change the severity of disability — and how well devices work.

So people need to quickly choose settings for different situations to keep getting things done.
"The video chat software couldn't deal with background noise. The audio quality was terrible. So we changed to another app".
"In a world not designed by them, Marcel creates platforms with people with disabilities so they can design their own experiences."

Carmen Madisson . Boilover Inclusive Performance Ensemble. Sunbury Cobaw Community Health.

Disabled people constantly innovate — finding new ways to use your products to get things done.

Ask disabled people what works.
Map your customer journey & what people need for different situations.
Decide . Test . Measure

ACCESSIBLE SOUND DESIGN

The right thing to do that's great for business.
A unique sonic palette expressing your brand values and personality.

$645B



Spending power of disabled people in the US.3
To get started get in touch.
Marcel de Bie
Marcel de Bie
+1 310 270 8012
"Not only did Marcel break down what was working and not working in terms of interfaces and the responsiveness and character of sounds, he explored how they hindered or helped them achieve their goals."

Wendy O'Neil . Art Centre, Melbourne.

"Marcel was indispensable to us and the success of the project, with that rare combination of practical know-how, a hard-work ethic, and inspired creative vision.''

Brian Rupp . Brand Timbre & Rumblefish. [USA]

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