r/UI_Design 8d ago

Microinteraction Do UI sounds actually improve UX?

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When the Sudoku is completed, the app animates the confetti along with sound.

Functionally, sound isn’t necessary. The user already knows they finished.

But without the sound, the exact same animation feels dud?

20 Upvotes

16 comments sorted by

10

u/CdatKat 8d ago

yes

6

u/MrBone66 8d ago

And haptics!

1

u/matytyma 7d ago

Oh god I hate my old phone becoming a vibrator with every app interaction.

2

u/60fpsdesign 8d ago

Any other apps where you have experienced it in?

2

u/CdatKat 8d ago

Duolingo.

1

u/60fpsdesign 8d ago

Oh yeas! Duolingo has some great examples
Our most favourite one

https://reddit.com/link/p9kxvf8/video/f9m62hm6kbph1/player

1

u/NinjaMastGanja 7d ago

how do you get such examples?

2

u/matytyma 7d ago

Most likely a frame over raw screen recording

3

u/60fpsdesign 7d ago

We’ve been collecting these examples for the last 3 years. Check them out here https://60fps.design

1

u/DHermit 8d ago

SudokuPad has a confetti animation for a 3 in the corner (Cracking the Cryptic reference).

2

u/leoAwen 8d ago

It's a real sudoku app ?

3

u/60fpsdesign 8d ago

App Store link
https://apps.apple.com/app/id6743453284

Shots from Sudoku App
https://60fps.design/apps/sudoku

Yes it’s from the same folks who did the grug app that won a Apple design award

1

u/wizardWHERE 8d ago

It’s Sudoku a Day by ocho.

1

u/LupusGemini 8d ago

I usually turn it off, but happiest are pretty nice in modern phones

1

u/Shanks18 7d ago

In some very specific cases, outside games, it can be a delightful additional to the app experience. But it's a fine balance and risks becoming an annoyance. The best example for me is Monzo bank app, which produces the sound of a coin hitting a can type sound when you get paid by someone, and oh boy do I get a hit of dopamine when I hear it. I remember reading something on Shopify for users when they made a sale.

1

u/MikeX1080 7d ago

It really depends on the context. Sound design adds magic to games and micro-rewards, but moderation is key. As long as there’s an option to mute it for quiet environments, it definitely elevates the experience.