Audio UX
55 Minutes x Republic Polytechnic – HeyHi Sound Design
Bringing HeyHi’s ed tech platform to life through audio
Collaborator
Final-year Diploma in Sonic Arts students from Republic Polytechnic.
Project duration
2 months
This project harnesses young audio talents to create aimed to highlight the value of UX sound design. The goal: create purposeful audio for HeyHi that makes learning more engaging and intuitive on the HeyHi platform.
Challenge
HeyHi’s interface was intuitive, but something was missing—auditory feedback. Without sound, actions taken on the platform lacked emotional resonance. There was also a need to provide subtle time cues and ambient support without disrupting users’ focus. How do we create sound elements that are functional yet delightful, while keeping aligned with HeyHi’s brand identity?
Solution
We collaborated with Republic Polytechnic students to develop purposeful audio for the HeyHi platform that guided users, celebrated their progress, and enriched collaboration without causing distraction. We also created a sound suite that gave the brand a distinctive voice and made digital interactions more enjoyable and intuitive.
Results
Improved user engagement through audio cues
Purposeful sound elements helped users stay alert and engaged during online learning, e.g., time alerts and success tones prompt timely action and provided clear, satisfying feedback that improved interaction. The HeyHi sound suite was designed to fit naturally into HeyHi’s interface and not to cause distraction. This approach proved that thoughtful audio design supports user workflows, especially in collaborative and time-sensitive settings. Sounds such as the “worksheet completed” tone, matched with the confetti animation, which added moments of joy and made the learning experience more memorable.
Stronger brand identity with custom sound design
The unique character and brand sounds gave HeyHi a recognisable audio signature. These sounds aligned with HeyHi’s playful yet professional tone. They help users instantly associate the platform with a distinct auditory experience.
Industry experience for emerging audio designers from Republic Polytechnic
For the Republic Polytechnic students, this project was a hands-on experience in applying classroom theory to real-world UX sound design. They balanced creativity with practical needs and discovered how sound affects user behavior and emotion. Through this project, they adapted their ideas to serve clear user goals and created audio that connects artistic expression with real functionality.
