Modernizing the sound of Rejsekort

Ever since the late 2000s, Rejsekort’s sound has been central to Danish public transport. As digitalization redefines experiences, we updated its sound to stay relevant and connected.

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Modernizing the sound of Rejsekort

Check In

Rejsekort has been synonymous with public transportation and the audio landscape of everyday Denmark. Meanwhile the digitalization has taken the users’ experience of ticket systems to new places making it crucial to adapt to the new reality. Going into a new stage and time the sound had to keep up. Both to stay relevant and to strengthen the connection to the many users that Rejsekort has on a daily basis. – We helped bring it up to speed.

Rejsekort & Rejseplanen approached us with a unique challenge that combined both technical knowledge with cultural significance: updating the iconic check-in sound from the physical terminals used across Denmark’s public transportation system. With the introduction of a new app and the increasing use of headphones among passengers, there was a need for a sound that could transition seamlessly to a digital platform while maintaining its recognizability and functionality.

Our task was to refine the sound, making it softer and more suited to the new context—both the digital platform and the auditory environment of passengers. While the harmonic structure of the sound remained unchanged to preserve its identity, its expression was adjusted to function optimally as a UI sound: clear, precise, and pleasant for the user.

Listen to the original sound still found at the physical ticket machines

The Process

In close collaboration with Rejsekort & Rejseplanen, we explored the sound’s current impact and its role in daily communication with millions of users. We developed a new version of the sound that stayed true to the original with tactile elements but refined for the digital sphere, optimized for use on mobile devices and headphones.

Additionally, we shared broader insights into UI sounds and introduced new possibilities that Rejsekort & Rejseplanen could explore in the future to further enhance the auditory user experience.

3 Core Elements

The sound is built upon three core elements. A soft attack, pleasant round harmonic content and tactile sound design.
We implemented a reverse note with a soft attack to ease the listener into the sound. This reverse note appeals to our subconsciousness and prepares our ears for what’s to come, making it a much more pleasant and engaging experience.

The harmonic content consists of sinus-waveforms also known to be the most rounded and suiting to the ear. The tactile elements in the sound communicate to our instincts. Our brain instantly connects sound to the physical material that it originates from, in this example being an old ticket machine. This makes the sound clear in its communication and should be easily associated with the purpose of the sound.

Soft Ear Friendly Attack – Pleasant Rounded Harmonics – Tactility for instinctive response

All together it becomes the new sound of Rejsekort

Result

The project resulted in an updated sound that retained Rejsekort’s recognizable identity while meeting modern requirements for softer, more tailored sound designs. It was exciting to work on a sound that interacts with so many people daily and has become a familiar part of Danish life.

This project not only delivered a technical solution but also demonstrated how sound can adapt to new platforms without losing its core function and cultural value.

Words from Client

”It was a great pleasure to collaborate with Sonic Minds on the update of our UI sound design. Our well known sound from stations all over Denmark is now adjusted for the app giving the users a recognizable experience in an updated form. We gained valuable insights into the significance and communicative qualities of UI sounds, while also deepening our understanding of our own auditory UI language.
Sonic Minds demonstrated a strong understanding of our situation and were able to meet our needs to full satisfaction. Additionally, we were introduced to new auditory possibilities within our own sound landscape, providing food for thought as we continue to develop our brand.”

Katrine Krzeminski – Senior Product Manager