Scope and focus

Add a new feature to Spotify that will allow users to explore an artist’s page without leaving the current playlist. This will also allow you to add the artist’s top five songs to the playlist temporarily and will be played in order.

Challenges

Since its launch Spotify has been improving its user experience till this day. So when trying to figure out how to improve or incorporate a feature for Spotify, it took a lot of brainstorming and research.

Problem statement

With the introductory research with a few fellow Spotify users we all seemed to have the same pain points. 

• Losing your place in a playlist when looking at an artist page.

• Having to click out a playlist.

• The possibility of getting distracted by seeing more and more songs as you go to different pages.

• No indication of where you left off in the playlist that you clicked out of.

• Too many actions and clicks to view a song or artist you are wanting to explore.

Project Goals

A high-fidelity prototype of Spotify with new features integrated with the mobile app’s existing design. (as of June 6, 2021)

process

Phase 1: Research

Interviews

I conducted interviews with five Spotify users through phone, in-person and for participants that weren’t able to meet for calls were done through a questionnaire. Interview questions were based on search navigation and artist exploration hoping to find pain points to be able to strategize for a new feature.

A few notes from the interviews that help show user habits and frustrations.

• 3 participants search for new music and artists on a daily basis.

• 2 participants go to the Artist Radio when they want to know more about the artist’s songs.

• 3 participants shared frustration on finding where they left off in a playlist that they left to explore another song or artist.

• 1 participant shares that they will also you google to explore an artist that is playing.

• All participants use Spotify daily for getting ready for the day, work, exercise and driving.

Persona

With the data gathered from the interviews I was able to create a persona to help us to further in product development for a new feature.

empathy map

Using an empathy map, I was able to better understand how Xavier uses Spotify and his motivations for using certain features.

Phase 2: Define & Ideate

With the frustrations and needs, I was able to create How Might We questions to be able to define problems and possible design solutions.

Ideate

With the How Might We questions, another round of brainstorming went on to see what kind ideas would come up about the HMW questions. We also examined the artist exploring process and took notes to see where we might be able to shorten the process.

Current process vs Quick explore method

With the How Might We questions, another round of brainstorming went on to see what kind ideas would come up about the HMW questions. We also examined the artist exploring process and took notes to see where we might be able to shorten the process.

Now, reimagined with fewer steps without having to leave the playlist.

Feature Roadmap

Phase 3: Information Architecture

Sitemap

information architecture

Phase 4: Design

Starting with sketches and lo-fi wireframes we can get a visual sense of what the added features will look like as well as the interaction flow.

wireframes

ui design

Using Spotify’s design system components we can now bring the new features and the flow interactions.

ui kit

Prototyping

With the design system and UI design for Spotify the prototype will be able to show the new features and interactions.

Usability Testing and Feedback

I relied on the participants from the interviews and questionnaires to test out the prototype and gather feedback.

iterations

With the feedback provided changes can be made to the prototype to solve pain points and confusion. A pop up was added to show the user where the new features are so they can become familiar of the button orientation and function.