For our project of IXD104 we were challenged to create a music app. The app must showcase three screens including the dashboard, playlist and track screen.
“The UI/UX design phase is as critical for the success of the music app as implementing appropriate music app features. This phase includes designing the user interface of the app, the user experience, and visual design elements such as colours, typography, etc. It is important that the design is aligned with the preferences of the target audience.”
Music streaming apps are arguably one the most used streaming services, these apps are now ruling the app market. Music streaming services have adapted massively over the years as a result of the digital revolution. These services can make customers aware of new releases from their favourite artists, and artists have a better chance at being discovered, users have personalisation of the app by creating their own playlists encouraging the songs and albums to be big hits and the services allow the artist to create their own marketing campaign.
The frontrunner of music streaming is Spotify, with over 602 million users as of 2024, Spotify is used worldwide and is by far the best streaming service for most people. Spotify offers a great range of unique features such as Spotify Wrapped, Discover Weekly, AI DJ, audiobooks, podcasts etc. Spotify also create playlists for the user based on their listening activity, this creates an emotional connection between the user and Spotify as the app is giving their users personalised playlists that will keep them interested and continuously developing their music knowledge.
Spotify is also extremely appealing to users as you can use it for free and have access to millions of songs. Spotify is really convenient easy to use and a solid all around service, that gives the users extreme freedom to express themselves through music. It is the most flexible option to choose and can be accessed through different devices. The simplicity and accessibility of the UI making it easy for users to access all areas of the application, the user friendliness encourages new and experienced users to explore the platform without confusion or intimidation. This gives the user a reason to stay on the site longer and become loyal to the app.
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Spotify’s success is primarily due to their flexibility, massive music collection and freedom for users however their UI/UX design is undoubtfully a factor for their huge success. Spotify’s UI/UX has set a new standard for how we interact with music and revolutionising the way we consumer and discover music. Spotify’s mission is to help people listen to whatever music they want, whenever they want, wherever they want. Spotify have done heavy research into their users needs to understand and empathise with them, some research they conducted was the demographics of music apps, market trends, competitors, the user themselves, and the experience the user will want.
Spotify’s UI/UX has a visually appealing design, they prioritise their accessibility and their aesthetic, many users will be drawn and attracted to a product or service just by how it looks. The user will become immersed in the application due to animations, colours, features, logos etc. The users experience can be measured by the aesthetics of the app as well as the listening itself. They offer an option to choose between a dark or light interface, this is a modern trend that has become popular within digital society, which Spotify have done well to interpret that into their UI. This setting is suppose to be easier on the users eyes preventing discomfort and sets the platform apart from competitors.
Spotify has a great sense of brand personality and brand identify, their consistent use of green and black colour scheme throughout the platform really creates a string sense of visual association with Spotify. However on the app Spotify also uses bright colours which reflect a happy friendly personality, Spotify’s use of colour has really improved their position and their uniqueness as it isnt a plain and simple looking app. Yeh colours are eye catching and grabs attention. Their use of bold typography, simple iconography and modern language enhances the users experience overall and ensure the user can navigate and interact with the platform effortlessly, the use of simple controls, clear labels, recognisable icons, limits the user from feeling any sort of confusion and is able to interact with ease. Spotify has made their branding visually attractive and captivating for the user.
The second biggest competitor in the music app industry is Apple Music. A close second to Spotify, Apple Music provides users with a clean and easy to navigate platform that provides over 100 million songs ad free, a spatial audios for sounds that surround you, real time lyrics to sing along to, online or offline listening across all devices etc. They offer multiple subscription plans to best suit the user.
Apple take a different direction and approach to Ux/UI. It seems as if they are have taken a more user centric approach, instead of prioritising aesthetic they prioritise the user. Apple Music really understands the needs of the user, their behaviour and desires, this automatically enhances the user experience and creates an intuitive interface.
