SPOTIFY
HOW MIGHT WE ENHANCE THE SPOTIFY APP TO BETTER SERVE PODCAST LISTENERS AND IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL EXPERIENCE?
OVERVIEW
In this student project I focus on improving the Spotify app for podcast listeners by addressing hidden tools and enhancing accessibility.
DESIGN THINKING
I researched Spotify's brand guidelines and strategy, applying my design thinking to create a user-centered solution. Inspired by user interviews and feedback, I redesigned the home screen to make hidden tools more accessible and improve navigation for podcast listeners.
CHALLENGE
I identified and resolved interface pain points to ensure that all users, regardless of their abilities, can seamlessly engage with the Spotify platform. This approach not only aligns with ethical considerations but also increases user engagement.
MY ROLE
Strategy / Research / UX/UI
PROJECT GOAL
OBJECTIVE
To enhance the Spotify app to better serve podcast listeners and improve their overall experience by focusing on accessibility and user-centric design.
KEY ISSUES
Hidden Tools: Users struggle to find essential features, which hinders their podcast experience
Time Constraints: Users need quick access to tools without searching
Lack of Accessibility: The app lacks sufficient customization options for different user needs
RESEARCH & DISCOVERY
RESEARCH APPROACH
To understand podcast listeners' needs, I conducted interviews with a diverse group of users, including both Spotify users and those on competing platforms.
KEY INSIGHTS
Hidden Features: Users struggled to find essential podcast tools, impacting their experience
Customization Needs: There was a strong demand for more accessible and customizable options
IMPACT ON DESIGN
These insights guided my design decisions, ensuring that the final product would address critical user needs and improve satisfaction with the Spotify app.
PARTICIPANT INTERVIEWS
RESEARCH APPROACH
I interviewed a diverse group of users to explore challenges with Spotify. The interviews began with general questions about podcast habits and then focused on their specific experiences with Spotify.
KEY FINDINGS
Queuing Issues: Users found managing podcast queues frustrating
Hidden Tools: Essential features were difficult to locate
Accessibility: Users desired more customizable and accessible options
IMPACT ON DESIGN
These insights prioritized the most pressing user needs, informing a redesign that improved the overall podcast experience on Spotify.
COMPETITOR RESEARCH
RESEARCH APPROACH
I analyzed key competitors like Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Stitcher to understand their strengths and weaknesses compared to Spotify
KEY FINDINGS
Accessibility: Competitors offered better accessibility features
Tool Visibility: Other platforms made essential podcast tools more visible
IMPACT ON DESIGN
This analysis highlighted opportunities for Spotify to enhance accessibility and tool visibility, strengthening its position in the podcast market.
USER PERSONA
MEET JULIA
Julia is a marketing professional and avid podcast listener based in New York City. She relies on podcasts for both work and leisure, often listening during her subway commute where background noise can be a challenge.
"PODCASTS ARE A BIG PART OF MY DAY-TO-DAY. I WANT SPOTIFY TO BE MORE CUSTOMIZABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO MAKE MY LIFE EASIER."
GOALS
Keep all her audio content (music and podcasts) under one subscription platform (Spotify)
Gain more control and customization over her podcast experience
Balance her career growth with personal interests through convenient podcast access
BEHAVIORS
Prefers an all-in-one platform to reduce reliance on multiple apps
Seeks tools that improve podcast listening in noisy environments
Values a streamlined experience that fits into her busy lifestyle
WIREFRAMES
OVERVIEW
With a clear understanding of user needs and insights from competitor research, I began the wireframing process to develop a proof of concept for the redesign.
KEY FEATURES
Chapter Displays: Clear markers for podcast chapters
Video Viewing: Integrated options for watching video podcasts
Custom Equalizer: A separate equalizer tailored for podcast audio
Navigation Enhancements: Precise skip forward/back settings and an easy-to-find autoplay toggle
WIREFRAMING PROCESS
Initial Sketches: Created low-fidelity wireframes to explore different layout options and integrate the key features identified during the research phase
Focus Areas: Improved visibility of essential podcast tools, added customization options, and enhanced overall navigation
IMPACT ON DESIGN
These wireframes served as a roadmap for the subsequent design phases, ensuring the final product would be functional, user-friendly, and aligned with both user needs and business goals.
IDEATION
OVERVIEW
After creating the initial wireframes, I moved into the ideation phase to develop and refine the concepts based on user feedback.
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
Iterative Sketching: Developed multiple iterations of the wireframes, incorporating feedback and exploring different layout options
Customization Focus: Added features like drag-and-drop navigation and a notes/chapter section for enhanced user control
REFINEMENT PROCESS
Feedback Integration: Continuously refined the wireframes based on user testing and feedback, ensuring alignment with user needs
Finalized Layouts: Settled on the most effective layouts, balancing usability with the desired features
IMPACT ON DESIGN
This phase ensured that the wireframes were fully aligned with user needs and ready for the visual design phase, setting the foundation for a functional and aesthetically pleasing app.
VISUAL DESIGN & FINAL TESTS
OVERVIEW
In this phase, I transitioned the refined wireframes into high-fidelity designs, incorporating Spotify’s branding elements to create a cohesive user interface.
DESIGN PROCESS
Brand Integration: Applied Spotify’s typography, color schemes, and iconography to maintain brand consistency
User Interface Design: Focused on creating an engaging, intuitive interface that enhances the user experience
FINAL TESTING
Usability Testing: Conducted thorough usability tests to gather feedback on the visual and interactive aspects of the app
Final Adjustments: Made necessary adjustments based on user feedback, ensuring that all elements were optimized for a seamless experience
IMPACT ON DESIGN
The result was a polished, user-centered design that addressed identified pain points and incorporated desired features, ready for implementation.
FINAL SCREENS
OVERVIEW
After completing the visual design and testing phases, the final screens were developed, showcasing the improved Spotify app for podcast listeners.
ADDS
Notes & Chapters: Easy-to-access sections for notes and chapter markers
Video Viewing: Seamless integration for video podcast playback
Drag & Drop: Customizable homepage with drag-and-drop functionality
Enhanced Navigation: Updated seeking settings and an improved autoplay toggle
Settings Panel: A revamped settings panel for easier access and customization
IMPACT ON DESIGN
These final screens represent the culmination of the design process, combining user needs, brand consistency, and functional improvements into a cohesive and user-friendly interface.
Notes & Chapters update
Read Along & Video Viewing update
Drag & Drop update
Seeking Settings update
Homepage Layout update
Settings Panel update
RESULTS
By focusing on accessibility and customization, I integrated key features into the Spotify app, leading to a significant decrease in user frustration and an increase in app engagement.
The customizable homepage, enhanced navigation, and improved visibility of tools resulted in positive user feedback during testing.
These improvements not only addressed critical pain points but also gave Spotify a competitive edge in the podcast app space, enhancing the overall user experience.
REFLECTION
Working on the Spotify Podcast App project was a valuable experience that underscored the importance of user-centered design and iterative development.
Through user interviews and usability tests, I gained insights that significantly shaped the final product. The project also highlighted the value of competitor analysis in identifying opportunities for differentiation.
This experience deepened my appreciation for collaboration and adaptability in design, reinforcing the idea that great design is about creating meaningful solutions that enhance the user experience.