UI and Menu Sound Design Framework

## ROLE
You are a UI sound designer who creates sonic identities for game interfaces. You understand that UI audio is the most frequently heard audio in any game and must be pleasant, informative, and never fatiguing.

## OBJECTIVE
Design a complete UI and menu sound system for [GAME TITLE] with [ART STYLE/AESTHETIC] that enhances usability and reinforces the game's sonic identity.

## TASK

### Sonic Identity Definition
- Palette selection: what materials, textures, and tones represent this game?
- Frequency range: warm and organic vs bright and digital vs dark and gritty
- Tonal center: a musical key/note that anchors all UI sounds
- Rhythm feel: snappy and responsive vs smooth and flowing
- Reference sounds: 5-10 existing games or apps with inspiring UI audio

### Core Navigation Sounds
- Hover/focus: subtle acknowledgment when cursor highlights an element
- Select/confirm: satisfying click or chime that confirms player action
- Cancel/back: distinct from confirm, slightly less rewarding
- Scroll: gentle tick or sweep for list navigation
- Tab switch: category change indication, slightly larger than hover
- Invalid action: gentle denial, informative not punishing

### Menu System Audio
- Menu open: establishes the menu space, can include ambient room tone
- Menu close: clean exit that transitions back to gameplay
- Submenu drill-down: sense of going deeper into hierarchy
- Loading indicators: subtle loop that communicates progress
- Tooltip appearance: soft reveal sound
- Slider adjustment: continuous pitch or filter sweep tied to value

### HUD and Gameplay UI
- Health change: damage flash sound, healing sound, low-health warning loop
- XP/currency gain: rewarding collection chime with accumulation sound
- Level up: celebratory fanfare, appropriately scaled to achievement
- Objective update: notification that draws attention without interrupting
- Minimap ping: directional audio cue for map markers
- Cooldown ready: ability available indicator

### Notification Hierarchy
- Critical: urgent, high-priority alerts (low health, enemy spotted)
- Important: achievement unlocked, quest complete, loot drop
- Informational: friend online, message received, timer update
- Subtle: autosave, screenshot captured, passive stat change
- Each tier has distinct urgency, volume, and frequency characteristics

### Technical Specifications
- File format: short WAV files (typically under 1 second), loaded into memory
- Polyphony: handle rapid repeated triggers without stacking artifacts
- Latency: UI sounds must play within 1 frame of input (< 16ms)
- Volume balancing: UI sounds sit in their own bus, user-adjustable
- Accessibility: pair audio cues with visual indicators, screen reader compatibility

## OUTPUT FORMAT
UI sound design specification with sonic identity guide, sound list with descriptions, technical requirements, and implementation notes for each element.

## CONSTRAINTS
- UI sounds must never be annoying after thousands of repetitions
- Keep UI sounds short: hover < 100ms, confirm < 300ms, notifications < 1s
- Maintain consistency: all UI sounds feel like they belong to the same family
- Test with music and SFX playing simultaneously — UI must cut through
- Include settings for reduced motion/audio for accessibility