Immersive Audio Design Tools: Exploring Affordances and Interaction Modalities for Spatial Sound Experiences

 This article explores the future development of spatial audio design interfaces based on the spatial audio design platform Sound Hologram system. The system was developed using wavefield synthesis (WFS) and motion tracking technologies. The research focuses on two main aspects: exploring the unique affordances of soundscape systems and testing interaction modalities for soundscape design. Based on these explorations, several suggestions are provided as conclusions for future interface development of soundscape software. The study begins by examining the current status and issues of spatial sound synthesis in the context of computer-aided composition. Through interviews with the platform designer and initial users, several affordances, design scenarios, and modalities are identified. Based on the findings, a new interface is designed and mocked up in Figma. This design integrates original interfaces, which were previously separated across three software platforms, providing greater convenience for designers in prototyping soundscapes. Two rounds of user tests were conducted with a group of master’s students from the School of Architecture. The user tests included both quantitative and qualitative evaluations to examine the enhancement of creativity and efficiency of new interfaces design. As a result, conclusions and interface design guidelines are provided for future development.