MixtapeMaster, a dedicated platform for 80’s music enthusiasts, immerses you in iconic synthesizers, drum machines, and legendary beats. The name reflects the 80’s tradition of crafting personalized mixtapes, capturing the essence of nostalgic playlist curation.
My Role
UX Research | UX Designer | UI Designer
Method
Competitive Research | User Flow | Wireframes | Visual design
Tools
Figma | Adobe Photoshop | Pen and Paper
Problem
Those longing to immerse themselves in the nostalgic ambiance of the 80’s often struggle with a shortage of carefully selected content, overshadowed by an abundance of modern options.
Solution
MixtapeMaster addresses the issue of the scarcity of carefully selected 80’s music content by offering users a dedicated platform tailored to their nostalgic tastes. Through personalized recommendations and a comprehensive music library, users can easily discover and enjoy authentic 80’s tracks without being overwhelmed by modern alternatives.
Competitive Analysis
In the initial stages, I conducted a competitive analysis focusing on two major players in the music app market: Spotify and SoundCloud. This exploration helped me understand what users typically expect and informed my design decisions to ensure my work serves well the users needs.
Strengths:
Extensive Music Library
User-Friendly Interface
Personalized Recommendations
Weaknesses:
Limited Free Features
Podcast Integration Challenges
Strengths:
User-Generated Content
Diverse Music Experience
Accessible Free Version
Weaknesses:
Monetization Challenges
Limited Mainstream Catalog
User Persona
Nick, Age 45, Marketing Executive, 80’s enthusiast.
Behaviors and Goals:
Rediscover favorite songs from high school and college days.
Create playlists that capture the essence of the 80’s for social gatherings.
Prefers a mix of popular hits and hidden gems from the era.
Values simplicity and efficiency in the app's design.
Challenges:
Limited time for exploration due to a demanding job.
Desire for an easy-to-use interface to quickly find and play nostalgic tracks.
Rachel, Age 25, Graphic Designer, retro aesthetics lover.
Behaviors and Goals:
Discover and curate playlists featuring iconic 80’s tracks.
Enjoys attending retro-themed events and parties.
Values a platform that offers both popular hits and underground tracks.
Actively engages in social sharing of favorite 80’s finds.
Challenges:
Limited knowledge of lesser-known 80’s tracks and artists.
Cross-platform compatibility and synchronization for seamless music listening across multiple devices:
MVP
My MVP for MixMaster involved focusing on essential features that address the core needs of target users.
User Registration and Profile Creation
Personalized Recommendations
Music Library with Search Functionality
Playlist Creation and Management
Simple, Intuitive UI
User Flow
After conducting research to understand the users and their needs, I identified key features for the MVP and proceeded to craft user stories and user flows to guide the design process.
“As a user, I want to establish my musical identity with a profile on the platform”
“As a user, effortlessly discover artists”
“As a returning user, I want to effortlessly create personalized playlists”
Wireframes
High Fidelity
Mood Board
To initiate the application of color and establish the overall feel for the app, I conducted research on the aesthetic trends of the decade, gathering images and phrases from pop culture.
Choosing Monoton for the 80’s music app logo blends nostalgia and authenticity with clear readability. The distinctive look ensures strong brand recognition, standing out while maintaining consistency with the overall 80’s-inspired design for a unified brand identity.
