2020 Volume 12 Issue 1 Pages 81-86
Sound design can enhance industrial products' emotional value because sound plays a functional role and also provides an emotional experience. Nevertheless, limited research has been conducted on product sound, especially startup sounds—the first sounds heard when a product is touched. This study focused on the possibility that attachment to a product could be created through startup sounds, which could consequently create loyalty. We verified the hypothesis that strength of the startup sound's impression affects repurchase intention by using personal computer (PC), robot vacuum cleaner (VC), and car (CA) as research objects. To prevent the subject from being overly conscious of startup sounds, we focused research in an actual consumer environment, not an experimental environment. Thus, PC and VC's odds ratios were ≥1.7, supporting the hypothesis, but CA showed no significant difference. We conclude that through proper startup sound design, loyalty to a product can be increased.
