Phase 1: Discovery and Conceptualization

Objective:
Understand user needs and define the scope of the platform to address the pain points of creators seeking affordable, accessible royalty-free music.

Approach:

1. User Research: Conducted interviews with content creators, videographers, and small business owners to understand their workflows and challenges.
2. Market Analysis: Studied competitors to identify gaps in existing platforms.
3. Feature Prioritization: Focused on essential features such as advanced search filters, licensing clarity, and seamless download options.

Outcome:

• Developed user personas and journey maps.
• Defined the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) features, including genre-based categorization, mood filters, and a straightforward licensing model.

Phase 2: Prototype Development

Objective:
Create a clickable prototype to test the usability and appeal of the proposed platform design.

Key Design Elements:

1. Intuitive Interface: A clean, modern design with easy navigation.
2. Search and Filter Functionality: Allow users to search by genre, mood, tempo, and instrumentation.
3. Licensing Simplification: Clear display of licensing terms for user confidence.

Tools Used:

• Wireframing: Designed low-fidelity wireframes using Figma.
• Prototype Development: Built an interactive prototype showcasing core user flows, such as browsing music and purchasing licenses.

Challenges:

• Balancing simplicity with the depth of features required by professional users.
• Ensuring the interface felt approachable to non-technical users.

Phase 3: User Testing

Objective:
Validate the prototype’s usability and identify areas for improvement through user testing.

Process:

1. Recruitment: Engaged 15 participants, including independent creators and small business owners.
2. Test Scenarios: Users were asked to complete key tasks, such as finding a track for a specific project and understanding licensing terms.
3. Feedback Collection: Gathered insights through post-task interviews and usability metrics.

Findings:

• Positive Feedback: Users appreciated the simplicity of the licensing model and the relevance of search results.
• Areas for Improvement: Suggestions included adding more specific mood filters and enabling preview playback without leaving the search page.
• Critical Issue: A few users found the onboarding process unclear and requested a guided tutorial.

Phase 4: Major Design Revisions

Objective:
Incorporate extensive changes to the prototype based on user feedback and align the design more closely with user needs.

Key Changes:

1. Revamped Navigation: Simplified the layout to make navigation more intuitive, reducing clicks to access key features.
2. Advanced Search Refinements: Introduced dynamic filters that adapt based on user input for a smoother search experience.
3. Preview Enhancements: Enabled in-line playback within search results for faster decision-making.
4. Visual Redesign: Updated color schemes and typography for better accessibility and a more professional aesthetic.
5. Interactive Onboarding: Implemented a gamified tutorial to guide new users through the platform’s main features.

Challenges Addressed:

• Improved onboarding clarity.
• Reduced search friction with more dynamic filtering.
• Enhanced visual appeal to align with user expectations for premium services.

Outcome:The revised design addressed key user pain points, setting a solid foundation for further development and stakeholder approval.

Phase 5: Iterations and Next Steps

Objective:
Refine the prototype based on user feedback and prepare for development.

Key Adjustments:

1. Enhanced Search Experience: Added additional mood filters and improved playback functionality.
2. Onboarding Tutorial: Designed a step-by-step guide for first-time users.
3. Aesthetic Refinements: Incorporated user suggestions for visual improvements, such as clearer button labeling and consistent iconography.

Next Steps:

• Conduct another round of testing with the revised prototype.
• Collaborate with developers to plan the platform’s technical architecture.
• Develop a marketing strategy to build anticipation for the launch.

Key Takeaways

1. User-Centric Design is Key: Early user testing revealed critical insights that shaped the platform’s direction.
2. Iterative Process Drives Success: Refining the prototype based on feedback ensured the design met user expectations.
3. Simplified Licensing is a USP: Clear licensing terms resonated strongly with users, providing a competitive edge.

‍