Muse - Indie Rock Music App
Case Study
UX/UI Design
Methods: User Interviews/Surveys, User-Centered Design, Wireframing
Tools: Figma, Google Docs, Google Slides
Project Brief
An app made for true indie rock fans 🎸
Design a creative, easy-to-use, and visually appealing music app for listeners of a specific genre of music. (genre = a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.).
Problem Statement
Mainstream Music Apps Don’t Get Indie Fans 🤘
Indie rock fans often struggle to discover new artists and tracks or understand the genre’s sub-genres and trends. Many music apps don’t offer a tailored experience for indie rock lovers. This app is designed specifically for them, with features like customizable playlist covers, guitar tuning, and the ability to browse live shows for smaller artists in their area. It helps users easily explore new music and connect with the indie community.
Research
MUSIC FANS WANT MORE THAN WHAT’S TRENDING 🎶
1. Appreciate experimental, authentic, and less mainstream music, often with acoustic guitar, electric bass, and introspective lyrics.
2. Value individuality and authenticity, gravitating toward independent artists and raw, non-commercial music.
3. Prefer to listen during casual activities like studying, hanging out, working out, or relaxing at home.
4. Enjoy discovering new music and emerging artists that aren't widely recognized.
5. Connect with the aesthetic and lifestyle of the Indie culture, which includes vintage fashion, grunge, intimate live shows, and a laid-back community vibe.
2. Value individuality and authenticity, gravitating toward independent artists and raw, non-commercial music.
3. Prefer to listen during casual activities like studying, hanging out, working out, or relaxing at home.
4. Enjoy discovering new music and emerging artists that aren't widely recognized.
5. Connect with the aesthetic and lifestyle of the Indie culture, which includes vintage fashion, grunge, intimate live shows, and a laid-back community vibe.
Feature 01
MUSIC DISCOVERY & LIVE EVENT FINDER
Unlock the full music experience with our app! Enjoy your favorite tracks while following along with the Song Lyrics. Explore the Song Credits to discover the songwriters, producers, and musicians behind each track. Appreciate the visuals with Cover Art Design Credits, celebrating the creative minds behind every album and single cover.
Feature 02
MUSIC DISCOVERY & LIVE EVENT FINDER
Browse and preview music quickly to discover new tracks with ease. Our Live Show Feature also helps you find small artists performing near you so you can support local talent in your area. It’s the perfect way to explore music and live performances in one place.
Feature 03
GUITAR TUNER & PLAY-ALONG MODE
Keep your guitar perfectly in tune with our easy-to-use tuner, designed for quick and accurate tuning. Once you're set, switch to Play-Along Mode to practice your favorite songs.
Feature 04
PLAYLIST PERSONALIZATION
Add your personal touch with creative designs, colors, and textures that reflect the mood of your music. Whether you’re building a new playlist or refreshing an old one, our easy editing tools help you create standout covers that match your style.
Research
Competitive Analysis
1. Ease of Use: Apps like Spotify and Apple Music offer simple, intuitive interfaces for easy navigation.
2. Popularity: Apps such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music are widely used and well-known.
3. Sharing: Apps like Spotify and SoundCloud allow users to share tracks easily with others.
4. Discovery: Spotify’s Song Radios and Apple Music’s curated playlists help users discover new artists and music. YouTube Music also offers personalized recommendations based on listening habits.
2. Popularity: Apps such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music are widely used and well-known.
3. Sharing: Apps like Spotify and SoundCloud allow users to share tracks easily with others.
4. Discovery: Spotify’s Song Radios and Apple Music’s curated playlists help users discover new artists and music. YouTube Music also offers personalized recommendations based on listening habits.
Research
Interview Questions
1. Why do you like Indie Rock?
2. How did you discover this genre?
3. How would you describe Indie Rock?
4. Can you go into more detail about its sound?
5. Who are some of your favorite Indie Rock artists?
6. What are some of your favorite Indie Rock songs?
7. How does Indie Rock make you feel?
8. How often and where do you usually listen to this genre?
9. What do you think the Indie Rock aesthetic looks like?
2. How did you discover this genre?
3. How would you describe Indie Rock?
4. Can you go into more detail about its sound?
5. Who are some of your favorite Indie Rock artists?
6. What are some of your favorite Indie Rock songs?
7. How does Indie Rock make you feel?
8. How often and where do you usually listen to this genre?
9. What do you think the Indie Rock aesthetic looks like?
Research
User Needs & Insights
1. Customizable Aesthetic & Visuals:
● Incorporate visual customization options, such as customizable playlist covers that match the indie rock aesthetic (e.g., sunsets, open roads, vintage, grunge) to give users a more immersive experience.
2. Incorporate Emerging Artists & Local Events:
● Provide an option to discover smaller, emerging artists and local indie rock shows to help users find new music and connect with live performances in their area.
3. Improve Integration with Other Platforms:
● Offer a cross-platform integration that brings in music from other services like SoundCloud, allowing users to access a wider variety of indie tracks.
● Incorporate visual customization options, such as customizable playlist covers that match the indie rock aesthetic (e.g., sunsets, open roads, vintage, grunge) to give users a more immersive experience.
2. Incorporate Emerging Artists & Local Events:
● Provide an option to discover smaller, emerging artists and local indie rock shows to help users find new music and connect with live performances in their area.
3. Improve Integration with Other Platforms:
● Offer a cross-platform integration that brings in music from other services like SoundCloud, allowing users to access a wider variety of indie tracks.
Design Concept & Ideation
Task Flow Chart
Visualize Real-Life Scenarios: Storyboards help illustrate how users will interact with the app in relatable settings, like working out, skateboarding, relaxing in their room, or hanging out around a fire. This makes it easier to see how the app can fit into different parts of a user's lifestyle.
Design Concept & Ideation
Wireframes
Wireframes helped us clarify the app’s organization, making it easier to develop a cohesive, user-friendly experience that supports all the features we wanted to include.
Style Guide
Music Libary & Song Player
Access your full song library with detailed song credits, including artist, album, and additional information for every track.
Music Discovery & Live Event Finder
Explore new songs, preview tracks, and discover nearby live performances, connect with local artists.
ARTIST PROFILE & MUSIC COLLECTION
Manage your artist profile by adding liked songs, custom playlists, and your favorite artists, giving you a platform to showcase your musical identity and discover new favorites
Guitar Tuner & Play-Along Mode
Tune your guitar and use the play-along feature to play along with indie rock hits.
Playlist Personalization
Express your indie rock style by editing playlist covers with filters, allowing you to personalize and visually enhance your music experience
