ROLE
Project Overview
Key Outcome
Product Designer
Product Designer
Product Designer
Many users enjoy customizing their music experience but struggle with the complexity of equalizer settings and the fear of altering a song’s originality. This project/feature enhances Spotify Premium by enabling users to adjust pitch and speed of a song intuitively, providing a more personalized and immersive listening experience.
Designed an interactive and user-friendly music customization experience that simplified equalizer controls, improves engagement with Spotify Premium, and balances creativity with ease of use. Syncro empowers users to personalize their listening experience while maintaining song integrity.
TOOLS USED
TEAM
Figma, Framer, Zoom, Slack, Google forms
Figma, Framer, Zoom, Slack, Google forms
SKILLS
Product Design, Prototyping, Research
DURATION
May 2024 - Jul 2024
Myself and A Product Manager
ROLE
YEAR
DURATION
What is Syncro?
TEAM
The Challenge
Product Designer
2024
Aug 2024 - Present
Syncro (Short for Synchronization) lets users customize their music by adjusting pitch and speed, offering a more personalized listening experience.
Abhinav Krishnan,
1 Product Manager,
2 Developers
Deliver a personalized and immersive music experience that maximizes the equalizer's capabilities while reinforcing the value of Spotify Premium.
Users show excitement for music customization but express concerns about complexity and preserving originality of the Music.
Problem Statement
According to the survey I conducted:
User awareness and engagement with Spotify's equalizer show a significant gap in usage and familiarity.
According to the survey I conducted:
User awareness and engagement with Spotify's equalizer show a significant gap in usage and familiarity.
According to the survey I conducted:
User awareness and engagement with Spotify's equalizer show a significant gap in usage and familiarity.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Spotify experience has not been used to it's full potential, with many users wanting to engage with the equalizer but struggling to fully utilize it.
Now the real question is
"How can I help Spotify users create a more personalized and engaging music experience that feels worth the Premium cost and also utilizes the full potential of an equalizer?"
IN A NUTSHELL
The Spotify experience has not been used to it's full potential, with many users wanting to engage with the equalizer but struggling to fully utilize it.
Now the real question is
"How can I help Spotify users create a more personalized and engaging music experience that feels worth the Premium cost and also utilizes the full potential of an equalizer?"
IN A NUTSHELL
The Spotify experience has not been used to it's full potential, with many users wanting to engage with the equalizer but struggling to fully utilize it.
Now the real question is
"How can I help Spotify users create a more personalized and engaging music experience that feels worth the Premium cost and also utilizes the full potential of an equalizer?"
IN A NUTSHELL
The Spotify experience has not been used to it's full potential, with many users wanting to engage with the equalizer but struggling to fully utilize it.
Now the real question is
"How can I help Spotify users create a more personalized and engaging music experience that feels worth the Premium cost and also utilizes the full potential of an equalizer?"
IN A NUTSHELL
The Spotify experience has not been used to it's full potential, with many users wanting to engage with the equalizer but struggling to fully utilize it.
Now the real question is
"How can I help Spotify users create a more personalized and engaging music experience that feels worth the Premium cost and also utilizes the full potential of an equalizer?"
Elliot
The Music Nerd
Elliot
The Music Nerd
Scenario:
Scenario:
Problem:
Problem:
A passionate music enthusiast, loves customizing songs to fit his taste but struggles with the limitations of current streaming platforms.
Current streaming services lack real-time customization tools, leaving users like Elliot frustrated and unable to personalize their listening experience.
Current streaming services lack real-time customization tools, leaving users like Elliot frustrated and unable to personalize their listening experience.
A passionate music enthusiast, loves customizing songs to fit his taste but struggles with the limitations of current streaming platforms.
Chloe
An Avid Runner
Chloe
An Avid Runner
Scenario:
Scenario:
Problem:
Problem:
The runner enjoys listening to faster tracks to keep her energy up during runs. However, she struggles to find the perfect upbeat songs quickly, as her packed schedule leaves her little time to curate playlists.
The runner enjoys listening to faster tracks to keep her energy up during runs. However, she struggles to find the perfect upbeat songs quickly, as her packed schedule leaves her little time to curate playlists.
Runners like Chloe need easy access to upbeat, pace-matched music, but current platforms lack seamless on-the-go solutions.
Runners like Chloe need easy access to upbeat, pace-matched music, but current platforms lack seamless on-the-go solutions.
The runner enjoys listening to faster tracks to keep her energy up during runs. However, she struggles to find the perfect upbeat songs quickly, as her packed schedule leaves her little time to curate playlists.
TARGET USERS
Users show excitement for music customization but express concerns about complexity and preserving originality of the Music.
How Spotify Syncro Stands Out
How Spotify Syncro Stands Out
How Spotify Syncro Stands Out
Syncro caters to two types of users: those who want to personalize their music by adjusting beats and notes, and those who prefer curated, pre-customized tracks based on trends. Both scenarios offer an interactive, engaging listening experience.
Usability & User Flow
Usability & User Flow
Your Custom Collection
Store your personalized tracks in a dedicated playlist for easy access.
Your Custom Collection
Store your personalized tracks in a dedicated playlist for easy access.
Your Custom Collection
Store your personalized tracks in a dedicated playlist for easy access.
Join the Syncro Movement
Join the community of music lovers who have discovered the ultimate freedom in music personalization.
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Discover new trends across social media
Discover new trends across social media
Trends are happening all the time! You can find it in the altered mode
Trends are happening all the time! You can find it in the altered mode
Your Music, Your Way
Change the pitch, speed and overall equalizer to get a new perspective!
Your Music, Your Way
Change the pitch, speed and overall equalizer to get a new perspective!
Your Music, Your Way
Change the pitch, speed and overall equalizer to get a new perspective!
The customized songs are given a number as a depiction of the pitch the user has saved the song under. This avoids the confusion between the customized and non customized version of the song. The '-' before a number denotes that the song is the slowed version.
Whereas a '+' denotes the song as a faster or sped up version of the original song.
Access Customized Songs:
Once you save a customization for a song, it will be added to a separate playlist dedicated to your customized tracks. This playlist is independent of your other playlists and is specifically designed for your creative edits.
This brush with a plus icon saves the customization of the particular song. It expands into two options. You can:
Save the song with that particular setting
Play all the songs on that specific setting.
This gives a sense of wide range of options for the user to choose from making it fruitful of their investment.
This brush with a plus icon saves the customization of the particular song. It expands into two options. You can:
Save the song with that particular setting
Play all the songs on that specific setting.
This gives a sense of wide range of options for the user to choose from making it fruitful of their investment.
Set Your Sound Preferences!
The color gradient changes accordingly to different songs. This represents strong visual detail and gives the user a new experience.
The color gradient changes accordingly to different songs. This represents strong visual detail and gives the user a new experience.
Creative Mode:
The goal of this mode is to provide users with a space where they can customize songs. However, I aimed to ensure the default interface would be intuitive, preventing any confusion about the new UI. Therefore, I designed it based on the commonly understood concept of an equalizer at the time.
The modes are visually represented by this gradient involving green (Spotify's primary color) and black to add more visibility and texture to the design.
The modes are visually represented by this gradient involving green (Spotify's primary color) and black to add more visibility and texture to the design.
The toggle that differentiates between the Creative mode and Altered mode is represented by a brush icon. This icon denotes the creative aspect of the design.
Switch between Modes:
A new toggle button has been added, allowing users to easily switch between Creative and Altered modes for a customized experience.
Switch between Modes:
A new toggle button has been added, allowing users to easily switch between Creative and Altered modes for a customized experience.
Customize your Music
Along with the equalizer is given a set of options that could change the tempo and the pitch of any song of your preference!
Driven by user feedback and research, I designed Syncro to make each song a space for creative exploration. With features to adjust pitch, tempo, and more, Syncro empowers users to personalize their music experience through Creative and Altered modes, offering flexibility and control.
Driven by user feedback and research, I designed Syncro to make each song a space for creative exploration. With features to adjust pitch, tempo, and more, Syncro empowers users to personalize their music experience through Creative and Altered modes, offering flexibility and control.
A Personalized Music Experience
Define your beat!
A Personalized Music Experience
Final Version:
Final Version:
Now users can have options to save their creativity without having second thoughts!
Now users can have options to save their creativity without having second thoughts!
Save Customization option:
Save Customization option
Version 1:
Version 1:
Users didn't find this helpful as they had to hit save again for the same reason which lacks options in it.
Users didn't find this helpful as they had to hit save again for the same reason which lacks options in it.
Users didn't find this helpful as they had to hit save again for the same reason which lacks options in it.
Final Version:
Final Version:
"This makes much more sense and gives the button the justification."
"This makes much more sense and gives the button the justification."
Version 1:
Version 1:
As drafted in the user flow, I started testing the prototype with my users and I got quite a few positive affirmation and helpful remarks on the design itself. Here are some common ones:
Save Customization button:
Save Customization button
User Testing
User Testing
"I feel like the save customization button hinders the 'Add to playlist' button which I feel is more important here."
"I feel like the save customization button hinders the 'Add to playlist' button which I feel is more important here."
Thank you for your time!
Thank you for your time!
Throughout the development of Syncro, I gained valuable insights into balancing creativity with usability, especially when integrating new features that users may not have explicitly requested. The iterative design process, with continuous user feedback, played a vital role in refining the experience to ensure it was both engaging and easy to use. Syncro offers more than meets the eye, as it aims to reshape the way users interact with music beyond just customization.
Timeline:
Completion (2 months):
Conducted user tests and gathered feedback on the prototype.
Refined the interface based on user insights, focusing on usability and aesthetics.
Launched the final version, ensuring all features functioned smoothly.
Future Plans:
Explore more customization options to enhance user creativity.
Simplify the user interface further for an even more intuitive experience.
Incorporate additional interactive elements based on user feedback.
If interested in the entire journey, feel free to access the Figma link provided to explore the process, iterations, and final designs in detail.
Throughout the development of Syncro, I gained valuable insights into balancing creativity with usability, especially when integrating new features that users may not have explicitly requested. The iterative design process, with continuous user feedback, played a vital role in refining the experience to ensure it was both engaging and easy to use. Syncro offers more than meets the eye, as it aims to reshape the way users interact with music beyond just customization.
Timeline:
Completion (2 months):
1) Conducted user testing and gathered feedback on the prototype.
2)Refined the interface based on user insights, focusing on usability and aesthetics.
3)Launched the final version, ensuring all features functioned smoothly.
Future Plans:
1) Explore more customization options to enhance user creativity.
2) Simplify the user interface further for an even more intuitive experience.
3) Incorporate additional interactive elements based on user feedback.
For those interested in the entire journey, feel free to access the Figma link provided to explore the process, iterations, and final designs in detail.
Throughout the development of Syncro, I gained valuable insights into balancing creativity with usability, especially when integrating new features that users may not have explicitly requested. The iterative design process, with continuous user feedback, played a vital role in refining the experience to ensure it was both engaging and easy to use. Syncro offers more than meets the eye, as it aims to reshape the way users interact with music beyond just customization.
Timeline:
Completion (2 months):
1) Conducted user testing and gathered feedback on the prototype.
2)Refined the interface based on user insights, focusing on usability and aesthetics.
3)Launched the final version, ensuring all features functioned smoothly.
Future Plans:
1) Explore more customization options to enhance user creativity.
2) Simplify the user interface further for an even more intuitive experience.
3) Incorporate additional interactive elements based on user feedback.
For those interested in the entire journey, feel free to access the Figma link provided to explore the process, iterations, and final designs in detail.
TAKEAWAYS
TAKEAWAYS
TAKEAWAYS
And now, the final piece: The prototype. See how it all comes together to transform the user's music experience.
The final piece: Syncro’s prototype designs. See how it all comes together to transform your music experience.
Final Prototype
Closing
Final Designs
Final Prototype