Simon Soundman

Looking deeper into sounds and its effect on us, I have been referred by a good friend to this lovely Sesame Street Video:

Besides being nostalgic and lovely, this short video demonstrates another form of communication. Objects have names and function and structures, but they also produce sound. For most objects, it is enough to listen to the sound it makes in order to understand what they are.

We sometimes underestimate the importance of the sounds objects produce. The obvious example will be the kettle or the toaster, which alerts us when they have 'fulfilled their task' by sounds. The sounds that they make, which are so obvious to us, are not only 'aftereffects' but also a vital part in the product! These sounds are not electronic programmed sounds, but sounds made by the physical process that is happening.

Not too long ago I found the 'Breville Professional 800 BTA840 Toaster’, which doesn't make the toasts jump. The design is very slick and sophisticated but it seems like, to me, the toaster lost its use and meaning completely.

In his book "The Design of Future Things" Donald A. Norman writes about the importance of sound in automobiles. He explains how, with no sound, the driver is being detached from the feeling (and responsibility) of driving a car, and in result to that- he may be less aware of the dangers and risks.

What I aim to investigate is the importance of sound in the design of everyday, and future object. I believe that I should start by exploring the sound that already exist- and try to make them heard, rather than ‘inventing’ new ones.