About the Song and composer profiles for those who want to know more about the DNA of a song and beat the algorithm.
About the Song and composer profiles for those who want to know more about the DNA of a song and beat the algorithm.
About the Song and composer profiles for those who want to know more about the DNA of a song and beat the algorithm.
Role
Role
UX Designer
UX Designer
UX Researcher
UX Researcher
Timeline
Timeline
75 hours
75 hours
Project Type
Project Type
Add a feature
Add a feature
Tools Used
Tools Used
Project Background
Project Background
With 551 million active users, Spotify is the most widely used music streaming service in the world, but it’s missing a trick when it comes to users wanting to learn more about specific songs and their origins.
With 551 million active users, Spotify is the most widely used music streaming service in the world, but it’s missing a trick when it comes to users wanting to learn more about specific songs and their origins.
With 551 million active users, Spotify is the most widely used music streaming service in the world, but it’s missing a trick when it comes to users wanting to learn more about specific songs and their origins.
Instead, users turn to websites like WhoSampled and Discogs when they want to find out which songs were sampled and where. Not only does this make for a disjointed listening experience, but it also prevents casual listeners from discovering music that they might enjoy.
Instead, users turn to websites like WhoSampled and Discogs when they want to find out which songs were sampled and where. Not only does this make for a disjointed listening experience, but it also prevents casual listeners from discovering music that they might enjoy.
Instead, users turn to websites like WhoSampled and Discogs when they want to find out which songs were sampled and where. Not only does this make for a disjointed listening experience, but it also prevents casual listeners from discovering music that they might enjoy.
The problem
The problem
Spotify states that its mission is to “give artists the opportunity to live off their art and billions of fans the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by it”, but so many artists are falling under the radar because of Spotify’s song radio and playlist algorithms. Spotify will benefit from a feature that puts artists and creators in the limelight by providing users with easy access to the DNA of the songs they listen to.
Spotify states that its mission is to “give artists the opportunity to live off their art and billions of fans the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by it”, but so many artists are falling under the radar because of Spotify’s song radio and playlist algorithms. Spotify will benefit from a feature that puts artists and creators in the limelight by providing users with easy access to the DNA of the songs they listen to.
How can we fix this problem?
How can we fix this problem?
How might we provide Spotify users with song information that they seek from other sources?
How might we provide Spotify users with song information that they seek from other sources?
How might we help users discover new music without keeping them in a bubble of musical preferences?
How might we help users discover new music without keeping them in a bubble of musical preferences?
How might we provide users with more accurate and detailed listening statistics than Spotify Wrapped?
How might we provide users with more accurate and detailed listening statistics than Spotify Wrapped?
Understanding music lovers
Understanding music lovers
To better understand what kind of information people want to know about songs, I conducted research interviews with 5 Spotify users.
During this research phase, I also tried to understand:
To better understand what kind of information people want to know about songs, I conducted research interviews with 5 Spotify users.
During this research phase, I also tried to understand:
To better understand what kind of information people want to know about songs, I conducted research interviews with 5 Spotify users.
During this research phase, I also tried to understand:
How Spotify users typically use it and what for
How Spotify users typically use it and what for
Whether or not Spotify users like to do further research about a song and the platforms they use to do so
Whether or not Spotify users like to do further research about a song and the platforms they use to do so
What aspects of a song’s history are interesting to Spotify users
What aspects of a song’s history are interesting to Spotify users
How experimental Spotify users are with their music choices.
How experimental Spotify users are with their music choices.
“A lot of people would eat a sausage and be like, wow, that’s a really nice sausage. But I’m like, I want to meet the guy who raised these hogs. I want to know everything about stuff.”
“A lot of people would eat a sausage and be like, wow, that’s a really nice sausage. But I’m like, I want to meet the guy who raised these hogs. I want to know everything about stuff.”
“A lot of people would eat a sausage and be like, wow, that’s a really nice sausage. But I’m like, I want to meet the guy who raised these hogs. I want to know everything about stuff.”
The Person Who Wants to Know Everything
The Person Who Wants to Know Everything
The Person Who Wants to Know Everything
Ryan
34 years old
Radio host, record collector, part time DJ
Boise, ID
Ryan
34 years old
Radio host, record collector, part time DJ
Boise, ID
Ryan
34 years old
Radio host, record collector, part time DJ
Boise, ID
curious
curious
experimental
experimental
open-minded
open-minded
Apps and Products Used
Apps and Products Used
Apps and Products Used
Behaviours
Behaviours
Listens to music while working, driving, exercising
Listens to music while working, driving, exercising
Likes to discover the history of songs and artists
Likes to discover the history of songs and artists
Does research about music to discover new artists
Does research about music to discover new artists
Shares music with the people around him
Shares music with the people around him
Goals
Goals
Wants to be able to discover new music and song history with ease
Wants to be able to discover new music and song history with ease
Wants to know more about the DNA of a song
Wants to know more about the DNA of a song
Wants to be able to connect with other likeminded listeners
Wants to be able to connect with other likeminded listeners
Wants to not be kept in a musical taste bubble
Wants to not be kept in a musical taste bubble
Frustrations
Frustrations
Spotify doesn’t make it easy to discover completely new music
Spotify doesn’t make it easy to discover completely new music
It’s difficult to find out where original samples come from
It’s difficult to find out where original samples come from
Spotify doesn’t give enough credit to songwriters and producers
Spotify doesn’t give enough credit to songwriters and producers
Spotify Wrapped stats aren’t accurate
Spotify Wrapped stats aren’t accurate
So... what do we need?
So... what do we need?
Sample, cover, and remix information on the song
Sample, cover, and remix information on the song
More prominently displayed production and release info for songs: release year, credits, record label
More prominently displayed production and release info for songs: release year, credits, record label
Links to original samples
Links to original samples
User-specific play counts for individual songs
User-specific play counts for individual songs
Links to other music by songwriters and producers
Links to other music by songwriters and producers
A way for users to discover new music through the record label
A way for users to discover new music through the record label
Working toward a goal
Working toward a goal
Business Goals
Give artists the opportunity to live off their art
Discover new music and artists without being kept in a bubble of musical preferences
Easily find out the DNA of a song, including songwriters, producers and sample history
Connect with other likeminded listeners
User satisfaction
Better UX means more recommendations
Better artist discovery means more artists will want their music on Spotify, and more listeners will have access to different music
Have better access to accurate, personalised listening statistics
Be able to research songs and listen to them in the same space
Give fans the opportunity to enjoy music and be inspired by it
Help artists and creators get discovered and grow their audience
Deliver the best audio experience to listeners
Innovate new ways for creators to express themselves
User Goals
Business Goals
Give artists the opportunity to live off their art
Discover new music and artists without being kept in a bubble of musical preferences
Easily find out the DNA of a song, including songwriters, producers and sample history
Connect with other likeminded listeners
User satisfaction
Better UX means more recommendations
Better artist discovery means more artists will want their music on Spotify, and more listeners will have access to different music
Have better access to accurate, personalised listening statistics
Be able to research songs and listen to them in the same space
Give fans the opportunity to enjoy music and be inspired by it
Help artists and creators get discovered and grow their audience
Deliver the best audio experience to listeners
Innovate new ways for creators to express themselves
User Goals
Business Goals
Give artists the opportunity to live off their art
Discover new music and artists without being kept in a bubble of musical preferences
Easily find out the DNA of a song, including songwriters, producers and sample history
Connect with other likeminded listeners
User satisfaction
Better UX means more recommendations
Better artist discovery means more artists will want their music on Spotify, and more listeners will have access to different music
Have better access to accurate, personalised listening statistics
Be able to research songs and listen to them in the same space
Give fans the opportunity to enjoy music and be inspired by it
Help artists and creators get discovered and grow their audience
Deliver the best audio experience to listeners
Innovate new ways for creators to express themselves
User Goals
How to get from A to B
How to get from A to B
Key
Key
See song credits and find other music by the same producer
See song credits and find other music by the same producer
See song credits and find other music by the same producer
See sample history and listen to other songs using the same sample
See sample history and listen to other songs using the same sample
See sample history and listen to other songs using the same sample
Final Designs
Final Designs
New About the Song card with personal listening statistics, song credits, sample history, countries with the top 5 plays, and song bio.
New About the Song card with personal listening statistics, song credits, sample history, countries with the top 5 plays, and song bio.
New About the Song card with personal listening statistics, song credits, sample history, countries with the top 5 plays, and song bio.
At the start of this project, Spotify’s song credits were hidden in the song’s overflow menu, and after I had planned to include them in About the Song, Spotify moved them to the bottom of the Now Playing screen. Great minds think alike?`
At the start of this project, Spotify’s song credits were hidden in the song’s overflow menu, and after I had planned to include them in About the Song, Spotify moved them to the bottom of the Now Playing screen. Great minds think alike?`
At the start of this project, Spotify’s song credits were hidden in the song’s overflow menu, and after I had planned to include them in About the Song, Spotify moved them to the bottom of the Now Playing screen. Great minds think alike?`
New Composer Profile page
New Composer Profile page
New Composer Profile page
One of the key features I wanted to include here was a different way to discover music. Ryan complains of Spotify’s algorithm keeping him in a bubble of similar music, and as someone who wants to know everything about a song, he would love to be able to easily discover different music by the person who composed the song he loves.`
One of the key features I wanted to include here was a different way to discover music. Ryan complains of Spotify’s algorithm keeping him in a bubble of similar music, and as someone who wants to know everything about a song, he would love to be able to easily discover different music by the person who composed the song he loves.`
One of the key features I wanted to include here was a different way to discover music. Ryan complains of Spotify’s algorithm keeping him in a bubble of similar music, and as someone who wants to know everything about a song, he would love to be able to easily discover different music by the person who composed the song he loves.`
Simply toggle between Artist and Composer to see different music depending on the role the person played in the creation.
Simply toggle between Artist and Composer to see different music depending on the role the person played in the creation.
Simply toggle between Artist and Composer to see different music depending on the role the person played in the creation.
Challenge-Driven Design
Challenge-Driven Design
Breaking it down
Breaking it down
Problem 1
It’s difficult to find out where original samples come from
Solution 1
About the Song card which displays key information about the song’s history
Problem 1
It’s difficult to find out where original samples come from
Solution 1
About the Song card which displays key information about the song’s history
Problem 2
Spotify doesn’t give enough credit to songwriters and producers
Solution 2
Song credits under About the Song
Problem 2
Spotify doesn’t give enough credit to songwriters and producers
Solution 2
Song credits under About the Song
Problem 3
Spotify Wrapped stats aren’t accurate
Solution 3
User-centric listening stats under About the Song
Problem 3
Spotify Wrapped stats aren’t accurate
Solution 3
User-centric listening stats under About the Song
Problem 4
Spotify doesn’t make it easy to discover completely new music
Solution 4
The ability to search for music through record label and composer profiles
Problem 4
Spotify doesn’t make it easy to discover completely new music
Solution 4
The ability to search for music through record label and composer profiles
Usability Test Findings
After conducting a usability test with 11 participants, the results were largely consistent (and they weren’t great...)
Usability Test Findings
After conducting a usability test with 11 participants, the results were largely consistent (and they weren’t great...)
Task 1
Task 1
Task 1
Find out which samples were used in the song that is playing, then play the sample.
Find out which samples were used in the song that is playing, then play the sample.
54.5%
Direct success
Direct success
45.5%
Mission unfinished
Mission unfinished
Misclick rate
Misclick rate
Average duration
Average duration
Task 2
Task 2
Demonstrate how you would access the page for the record label that released this song.
Demonstrate how you would access the page for the record label that released this song.
50%
Direct success
Direct success
30%
Mission unfinished
Mission unfinished
Misclick rate
Misclick rate
Average duration
Average duration
Alarm bells!
Alarm bells!
Why were these results so poor?
Why were these results so poor?
It turned out that the majority of users did not know where to find the necessary information. Both of the above tasks required the user to scroll through the About the Song card, but it was unclear that it was scrollable.
It turned out that the majority of users did not know where to find the necessary information. Both of the above tasks required the user to scroll through the About the Song card, but it was unclear that it was scrollable.
It turned out that the majority of users did not know where to find the necessary information. Both of the above tasks required the user to scroll through the About the Song card, but it was unclear that it was scrollable.
As a result, I iterated by reducing the width of the cards so that the streaming stats on the first page didn’t take up the whole screen, making it clear to the user that there’s more information if they scroll horizontally.
As a result, I iterated by reducing the width of the cards so that the streaming stats on the first page didn’t take up the whole screen, making it clear to the user that there’s more information if they scroll horizontally.
As a result, I iterated by reducing the width of the cards so that the streaming stats on the first page didn’t take up the whole screen, making it clear to the user that there’s more information if they scroll horizontally.
Version 1
About the Song Card
About the Song Card
Reduced the width of the cards to make it clearer that they are scrollable
Reduced the width of the cards to make it clearer that they are scrollable
Version 2
Task 3
Task 3
Task 3
Show me how you would navigate to the page for the composer of this song, then toggle between his Main Artist and Composer profiles.
Show me how you would navigate to the page for the composer of this song, then toggle between his Main Artist and Composer profiles.
30%
Direct success
Direct success
30%
Mission unfinished
Mission unfinished
Misclick rate
Misclick rate
Average duration
Average duration
Digging into the problem here
Digging into the problem here
Digging into the problem here
While 3 users were able to complete this task via the expected path and 4 were able to get there indirectly, 3 were unable to complete the task altogether.
While 3 users were able to complete this task via the expected path and 4 were able to get there indirectly, 3 were unable to complete the task altogether.
While 3 users were able to complete this task via the expected path and 4 were able to get there indirectly, 3 were unable to complete the task altogether.
Part of the problem was due to confusing wording in the directions. I used the word ‘toggle’ which didn’t indicate that the users needed to tap on a dropdown menu. I also think the UI of the dropdown could have stood out better against the background photo.
Ultimately, I decided to change the dropdown to a toggle to reduce the amount of clicks necessary to change between the profiles, and I added green to make it more prominent on the page.
Part of the problem was due to confusing wording in the directions. I used the word ‘toggle’ which didn’t indicate that the users needed to tap on a dropdown menu. I also think the UI of the dropdown could have stood out better against the background photo.
Ultimately, I decided to change the dropdown to a toggle to reduce the amount of clicks necessary to change between the profiles, and I added green to make it more prominent on the page.
Part of the problem was due to confusing wording in the directions. I used the word ‘toggle’ which didn’t indicate that the users needed to tap on a dropdown menu. I also think the UI of the dropdown could have stood out better against the background photo.
Ultimately, I decided to change the dropdown to a toggle to reduce the amount of clicks necessary to change between the profiles, and I added green to make it more prominent on the page.
Version 1
About the Song Card
Reduced the width of the cards to make it clearer that they are scrollable
Version 2
Key Learnings
Key Learnings
Key Learnings
Adding this feature to Spotify gave me the skills to work within the constraints of an existing design system.
Adding this feature to Spotify gave me the skills to work within the constraints of an existing design system.
Adding this feature to Spotify gave me the skills to work within the constraints of an existing design system.
Usability testing is a MUST MUST MUST. It’s highly unlikely that the designer is going to get it right first time and that’s A-OK.
Usability testing is a MUST MUST MUST. It’s highly unlikely that the designer is going to get it right first time and that’s A-OK.
Usability testing is a MUST MUST MUST. It’s highly unlikely that the designer is going to get it right first time and that’s A-OK.
This feature would be excellent and used by many in the real world. Anyone got Spotify’s number??
This feature would be excellent and used by many in the real world. Anyone got Spotify’s number??
This feature would be excellent and used by many in the real world. Anyone got Spotify’s number??
What’s Next?
What’s Next?
What’s Next?
Make the personalised statistics more robust. Year-by-year comparison of listening patterns?
Make the personalised statistics more robust. Year-by-year comparison of listening patterns?
Provide more technical statistics, e.g. BPM, chord progression, and song key
Provide more technical statistics, e.g. BPM, chord progression, and song key
Implement artist-verified song meanings in About the Song
Implement artist-verified song meanings in About the Song
Like what you see?
Like what you see?
Let’s chat
Let’s chat
chelchadesign@gmail.com
chelchadesign@gmail.com