Overview
Project
Erji is a music streaming app focused on collaborative discovery and the social aspect of music. Its primary goal is to connect users based on shared music preferences and encourage them to explore and share playlists together. The app differentiates itself by creating communities around niche genres or lesser-known artists, helping people meet others who share similar musical interests.
My Role
UX Research
Scope
Exploration
Personas
User Flow
Design
Wirefames
Prototyping
Testing
Usability Testing
Iterations
Personas
Alex, The Music Explorer
DIGITAL MARKETER, LIÈGE, 30 YEARS OLD
Alex is a curious digital marketer who thrives on discovering new, underground music. He seeks out fresh sounds and enjoys sharing his unique finds with others. Always on the lookout for authentic experiences, he values human-curated playlists over algorithmic recommendations, making his music journey a social and exploratory adventure.
MOTIVATIONS
Passionate about finding unique, lesser-known music. He thrives on sharing new discoveries with a community and values recommendations that reflect real human tastes. Alex enjoys the thrill of exploring niche genres.
GOALS
Consistently find new artists that fit his evolving tastes. Engage in music discussions, contribute to collaborative playlists, and build a network of like-minded listeners. Alex wants to be known as a tastemaker who introduces others to new music.
FRUSTRATIONS
Frustrated by the lack of personalized, human touch in algorithm-driven suggestions. Finds it challenging to locate communities that appreciate the same niche genres. Feels existing streaming apps lack features for meaningful social interactions and music discovery beyond the mainstream.
“I love discovering hidden gems through playlists curated by real people—not algorithms. It feels like I’m connecting with a whole community that shares my taste in music.”
Sophie, The Social Listener
GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDENT, BRUSSELS, 25 YEARS OLD
Sophie is a sociable graphic design student who uses music to enhance her social life. She loves sharing her favorite tracks and discovering new songs through her friends. Enthusiastic and trend-savvy, Sophie seeks playlists that match the vibe of her day, enjoying the connection music creates with her circle.
MOTIVATIONS
Loves the social aspect of music and enjoys curating playlists that resonate with her current mood or activities, such as studying or going out with friends. Sophie loves the feeling of discovering new songs and playlists together with her friends.
GOALS
Easily share and discuss her favorite tracks, receive personalized recommendations based on her social circle's tastes. She wants an app that seamlessly integrates music sharing and allows her to engage in discussions directly.
FRUSTRATIONS
Dislikes the cumbersome process of switching between apps to share music. Often finds that current streaming services offer limited features for real-time social interaction. Frustrated by the difficulty in finding playlists that match the specific vibe she’s looking for.
“For me, music is a way to connect with friends. I wish it were easier to share and discuss songs directly within the app.”
Paul, The Busy Listener
PROJECT MANAGER, NAMUR, 40 YEARS OLD
Paul is a focused project manager who integrates music into his busy daily routine. He looks for effortless, well-curated playlists that fit seamlessly into his commute. With limited time for exploration, Paul values convenience and quality, preferring streamlined solutions that offer a hassle-free listening experience.
MOTIVATIONS
Seeks a streamlined music experience that complements his busy lifestyle. He values curated playlists that he can trust to fit his preferences without much effort. Paul enjoys music as a way to relax during his commute.
GOALS
Discover new tracks without spending time searching, and rely on an app that understands his music habits. Paul aims to find an efficient way to keep up with popular trends.
FRUSTRATIONS
Frustrated by inconsistent recommendations from current streaming apps. Dislikes spending time creating or adjusting playlists. Finds existing platforms too complex for his needs, with too many features that don’t add value to his streamlined listening experience. He feels overwhelmed by the amount of choice without clear guidance.
“I don’t have time to search for new music. I just want well-curated playlists that fit my taste without any hassle.”
User Flow Diagram
UI Proposal
Wireframes & Prototypes
I started with low-fidelity wireframes to map out the user experience, then moved on to high-fidelity prototypes. Key screens include:
- Community Screen: Displays popular playlists shared by the community, with options to vote, comment, and join the discussion.
- Playlist Screen: Shows user-suggested tracks with a comment section for real-time discussions.
- Forum Screen: Allows users to discuss specific artists or genres, creating dynamic discussion threads.
UX Tip: I incorporated micro-interactions to make the experience more engaging, such as animations when a user votes to add a song to a playlist.
Validation Phase
User Testing & Iterations
I conducted multiple user testing sessions, including prototype testing and feedback interviews.
Collected Feedback:
- Voting Feature: Users loved being able to vote on adding songs to collaborative playlists.
- Active Discussions: The forums discussing specific artists were well-received, especially for discovering lesser-known artists.
- Suggested Improvements: Some users found the voting interface complex and suggested simplifying the process.
Next Steps :
- Simplify the voting interface for better clarity.
- Add a feature to follow users and receive their music recommendations.
- Enhance the forum search functionality for easier navigation of discussions.
