Client: Masimo

Case Study: Audio UX + Audio Brand Development

Masimo is a large California-based company who develop and manufacture non-invasive patient monitoring technologies. They are known as being one of the most innovative companies in the medical industry, and are currently the leading producer of hospital pulse oximetry sensors and devices. I have a long running collaboration with them dating back to early 2016. 

My first assignment was to create a Start-Up Sound for Masimo’s range of devices, using their most widely used Rad-97 device as the lead.

The start-up sound had the potential for key brand significance – the user’s first interaction with a Masimo device and confirmation that everything is working as expected. 

A multitude of different directions were initially explored, creating a wide-ranging palette from which clear preferences were established. From there we finally landed on a start-up sound that satisfied the requirements. It was approachable and positive, whilst conveying a sense of the power and capability within each device. The start-up sound also mimicked the 3 syllables of the Masimo name, MA–SI-MO.

After the device start-up sound was created, the foundations for Masimo’s core audio identity had been established. I would then go on to create several device notification and interaction sounds needed within the UI. The result was one holistic UX sound set. All UX sounds needed to compliment the beautiful UI, whilst drawing only as much attention as is absolutely necessary. It was also vitally important that all UX sounds do not conflict with any of the more critical sounds a clinician can expect to hear (e.g. the General Alarm sound that communicates a serious physiological or technical issue). A small selection of these sounds can be heard below.

All UX sounds were fully optimized for the mono speaker of the Rad-97 device (image below), using a mock-up speaker simulation. The small speakers were high quality and with a much broader frequency response than, for example, a typical smartphone speaker. The UX sounds were optimized for other specific Masimo device when required, ensuring optimal audio playback across the portfolio.

My next major collaboration with Masimo would involve updating the critical alarm sounds - discussed in the next case study.