UX/UI DESIGN | 0-1 | PRODUCT DESIGN
JamFlow
Designing a gamified system to make music practice more fun and engaging.
JamFlow is an online music practicing system aim to use a gamified approach to enhance the experience of music practice. With JamFlow, music practitioners are encouraged to learn and practice in a free, nonjudgemental, and welcoming environment.
This project was completed in a team of 4 from the graduate-level User-Centered Design course at the University of Washington (Sep - Dec 2023).
My Role
Lead UX Designer
Led the UX/UI design, crafting a design system, wireframes, prototypes. The final design was solely done by me.
Project Manager
Managed project delivery (planning, execution, monitoring, control, closure), ensuring scope, team collaboration, budget, and success.
Overview
01 Objective
Imagine a music student struggling with improvisation. Stage fright freezes them, and the pressure to create on the spot becomes overwhelming. Traditional methods might not fully address these anxieties.
JamFlow steps in, transforming the learning experience. By fostering a safe and interactive environment, students can experiment, socialize, and build confidence.
02 Problem
Music practitioners struggle with improvisation and public performance. Improvisation and public performance can be anxiety-inducing, often requiring repetitive practice sessions
03 Solution
Wouldn't it be amazing to have a place to jam freely, make mistakes without judgment, and even find new music friends?
That's where JamFlow comes in! Let's dive into the features that make JamFlow the perfect platform to take your music to the next level.
UX/UI DESIGN | 0-1 | PRODUCT DESIGN
JamFlow
Designing a gamified system to make music practice more fun and engaging.
JamFlow is an online music practicing system aim to use a gamified approach to enhance the experience of music practice. With JamFlow, music practitioners are encouraged to learn and practice in a free, nonjudgemental, and welcoming environment.
This project was completed in a team of 4 from the graduate-level User-Centered Design course at the University of Washington (Sep - Dec 2023).
My Role
Lead UX Designer
Led the UX/UI design, crafting a design system, wireframes, prototypes. The final design was solely done by me.
Project Manager
Managed project delivery (planning, execution, monitoring, control, closure), ensuring scope, team collaboration, budget, and success.
Overview
01 Objective
Imagine a music student struggling with improvisation. Stage fright freezes them, and the pressure to create on the spot becomes overwhelming. Traditional methods might not fully address these anxieties.
JamFlow steps in, transforming the learning experience. By fostering a safe and interactive environment, students can experiment, socialize, and build confidence.
02 Problem
Music practitioners struggle with improvisation and public performance. Improvisation and public performance can be anxiety-inducing, often requiring repetitive practice sessions
03 Solution
Wouldn't it be amazing to have a place to jam freely, make mistakes without judgment, and even find new music friends?
That's where JamFlow comes in! Let's dive into the features that make JamFlow the perfect platform to take your music to the next level.
UX/UI DESIGN | 0-1 | PRODUCT DESIGN
JamFlow
Designing a gamified system to make music practice more fun and engaging.
JamFlow is an online music practicing system aim to use a gamified approach to enhance the experience of music practice. With JamFlow, music practitioners are encouraged to learn and practice in a free, nonjudgemental, and welcoming environment.
This project was completed in a team of 4 from the graduate-level User-Centered Design course at the University of Washington (Sep - Dec 2023).
My Role
Lead UX Designer
Led the UX/UI design, crafting a design system, wireframes, prototypes. The final design was solely done by me.
Project Manager
Managed project delivery (planning, execution, monitoring, control, closure), ensuring scope, team collaboration, budget, and success.
Overview
01 Objective
Imagine a music student struggling with improvisation. Stage fright freezes them, and the pressure to create on the spot becomes overwhelming. Traditional methods might not fully address these anxieties.
JamFlow steps in, transforming the learning experience. By fostering a safe and interactive environment, students can experiment, socialize, and build confidence.
02 Problem
Music practitioners struggle with improvisation and public performance. Improvisation and public performance can be anxiety-inducing, often requiring repetitive practice sessions
03 Solution
Wouldn't it be amazing to have a place to jam freely, make mistakes without judgment, and even find new music friends?
That's where JamFlow comes in! Let's dive into the features that make JamFlow the perfect platform to take your music to the next level.
Ready to unlock your improv skills? Spice up your practice with improvisation game!
Everyone's forming bands, and you're still jamming solo? Find your perfect bandmates and make music magic together!
Everyone's forming bands, and you're still jamming solo? Find your perfect bandmates and make music magic together!
Ready to unlock your improv skills? Spice up your practice with improvisation game!
Nervous about hitting that big audition? Our live performance simulation throws you into a virtual crowd without the real-life jitters.
Nervous about hitting that big audition? Our live performance simulation throws you into a virtual crowd without the real-life jitters.
Let's take a look at how I got here.
Let's take a look at how I got here.
Research
01 User Research
We have a lot of music friends. We wanted to rely on their valuable insights and learn from their experiences to cater the final products to their needs.
Research
01 User Research
We have a lot of music friends. We wanted to rely on their valuable insights and learn from their experiences to cater the final products to their needs.
Survey
30 responses collected
30 responses
Contextual Inquiry
a 2-hour jam session at UW sound lab
Interview
5 UW music students
Survey
30 responses collected
Contextual Inquiry
a 2-hour jam session at UW sound lab
Interview
5 UW music students
02 Data Analysis
02 Data Analysis
I led the analysis of Qualitative insights from survey, interviews, and contextual inquiries via Affinity Diagramming, generating 4 major insights and themes.
I led the analysis of Qualitative insights from survey, interviews, and contextual inquiries via Affinity Diagramming, generating 4 major insights and themes.
03 Insights from User Research
03 Insights from User Research
Community
Community
There is a disconnection between schools' music program and student body, raising the need for a close-knit community.
There is a disconnection between schools' music program and student body, raising the need for a close-knit community.
"Making music and the student community closer would be nice."
"Making music and the student community closer would be nice."
Practice
Practice
Practice is the best way to improve improvisation and grow confidence, but most people find it boring.
Practice is the best way to improve improvisation and grow confidence, but most people find it boring.
"Practice helps me improve memory and body function, but the process of practicing isn't enjoyable and requires perseverance"
"Practice helps me improve memory and body function, but the process of practicing isn't enjoyable and requires perseverance"
Connection
Connection
Music practitioners need to practice in groups, and most of them prefer to play with people who are better than them.
Music practitioners need to practice in groups, and most of them prefer to play with people who are better than them.
“Playing in a band improves your synergy, you ability to listen, and the ability to collaborate with others.”
“Playing in a band improves your synergy, you ability to listen, and the ability to collaborate with others.”
“Playing in a band improves your synergy, ability to listen, and the ability to collaborate with others.”
Environment
Environment
Jam (practice) sessions are most beneficial in intimate and non-competitive environments.
Jam (practice) sessions are most beneficial in intimate and non-competitive environments.
"I realize that I perform best in an environment where I'm not necessarily too focused on the outcome. "
"I realize that I perform best in an environment where I'm not necessarily too focused on the outcome. "
"I realize that I perform best in an environment where I'm not necessarily too focused on the outcome."
04 Meet Our Users
04 Meet Our Users
Let's meet our target users - passionate musicians hungry to push their boundaries in improvisation and learn from each other.
Let's meet our target users - passionate musicians hungry to push their boundaries in improvisation and learn from each other.
My understanding of users translated into my design question….
My understanding of users translated into my design question….
How Might We…
How Might We…
Help music practitioners to improve improvisation skills and stay more connected to their peers?
Help music practitioners to improve improvisation skills and stay more connected to their peers?
Help music practitioners to improve improvisation skills and stay more connected to their peers?
Ideation
Ideation
01 Initial Ideas
01 Initial Ideas
At first, I played around with different ideas and worked with my teammates to choose 3 directions to improve improvisation and foster connections.
At first, I played around with different ideas and worked with my teammates to choose 3 directions to improve improvisation and foster connections.
Gamified approach to improve improvisation
Gamified approach to improve improvisation
Gamified approach to improve improvisation
Connected to a comfortable physical space for individual and group practice
Connected to a comfortable physical space for individual and group practice
Connected to a comfortable physical space for individual and group practice
A VR/AR space that lets musicians connect globally and practice together
A VR/AR space that lets musicians connect globally and practice together
A VR/AR space that lets musicians connect globally and practice together
02 Setbacks and Decision
02 Setbacks and Decision
While our vision was grand, practical considerations on time and resources required us to scale back. I reevaluated our initial ideas through concept testing and peer critique. The feedback led to some changes:
While our vision was grand, practical considerations on time and resources required us to scale back. I reevaluated our initial ideas through concept testing and peer critique. The feedback led to some changes:
Cancel the VR/AR feature
Cancel the VR/AR feature
VR/AR adds complexity and gear. We opted for a livestream performance feature for peer connection and combating performance anxiety.
VR/AR adds complexity and gear. We opted for a livestream performance feature for peer connection and combating performance anxiety.
Replace AI feedback with peer feedback
Replace AI feedback with peer feedback
User questioned the authority of AI-generated feedback in improvisation games. Instead, we decided to allow peers to give feedback to facilitate connection and mutual support.
User questioned the authority of AI-generated feedback in improvisation games. Instead, we decided to allow peers to give feedback to facilitate connection and mutual support.
Replace physical space with an online community
Replace physical space with an online community
An online community can satisfy user needs in a non-competitive and welcoming environment, while requiring less time and money to build.
An online community can satisfy user needs in a non-competitive and welcoming environment, while requiring less time and money to build.
03 Design Solution
03 Design Solution
Through user research, peer critique, and concept testing, we developed our design solutions and user flow. The storyboards I drew illustrated the user scenario for each flow.
Through user research, peer critique, and concept testing, we developed our design solutions and user flow. The storyboards I drew illustrated the user scenario for each flow.
Flow #1: Improvisation Game
Flow #2: Connect and create music together
Flow #3: Simulated performance
Insight: Practice
Music practitioners need a fun way to improve improvisation skills.
Flow #1: Improvisation Game
Insight: Community & Connection
Music practitioners need a close-knit community and peer connections.
Flow #2: Connect and create music together
Insight: Environment
Music practitioners benefit from a welcoming and non-competitive environment.
Flow #3: Simulated performance
Prototype
01 Prototypes & Iterations
We kicked off with user flows in our first iteration, then took them to the next level with usability testing. 3 music practitioners from the University of Washington provided valuable user feedback.
Prototype
01 Prototypes & Iterations
We implemented user flows into our first iterations. To further improve our prototypes, we then conducted usability evaluation with 3 music practitioners at University of Washington to get user feedback.
02 Design Decisions
02 Design Decisions
I grouped and analyzed pain points revealed through usability testing, assigning them with frequency and priority. Then I led a discussion around adjusting our design to truly satisfy user needs. The following changes were made:
I grouped and analyzed pain points revealed through usability testing, assigning them with frequency and priority. Then I led a discussion around adjusting our design to truly satisfy user needs. The following changes were made:
Change #1: Livestream Added to Simulated Audience
Change #1: Livestream Added to Simulated Audience
2 out of 3 participants wanted a real audience, so we added livestream option to the simulated performance. Now you can share your simulated performance with the world (or a select few)!
2 out of 3 participants wanted a real audience, so we added livestream option to the simulated performance. Now you can share your simulated performance with the world (or a select few)!
Before: Users practice in front of simulated audiences
After: Users can livestream their performance to real audience
Change #2: Forum to Replace Random Matching
2 out of 3 participants didn't trust the automatic matching to build connections. Therefore, we replaced it with a thriving community forum! Now you can connect with other musicians, share your music, and find collaborators in a more human way.
Before: Users connect with each others through automatic matching
After: Users can build new connections in the online forum
Change #3: Guided Onboarding Experience
All 3 testers got lost! We noticed everyone took a while to navigate our prototype. To make things smoother, we've added short intros indicative of how the system works in each section.
Before: Users were unsure what to do in each section
After: Users can follow the navigation guide in each section to explore
03 Final Design
03 Final Design
Engaging Improvisation Games
Engaging Improvisation Games
Make Music Friends in the Community
Make Music Friends in the Community
Overcome Performance Anxiety in a Simulated Environment
Overcome Performance Anxiety in a Simulated Environment
04 What Our Users Said…
04 What Our Users Said…
Participant 1
Participant 1
"The improvisation game is promising, and I have a strong desire to use it! There are no alternatives available in the market right now."
"The improvisation game is promising, and I have a strong desire to use it! There are no alternatives available in the market right now."
Participant 2
Participant 2
"Should I require additional musicians for my group, JamFlow will absolutely be a consideration!"
"Should I require additional musicians for my group, JamFlow will absolutely be a consideration!"
Participant 3
Participant 3
"I love how JamFlow combines the art of improvisation with technology. A definite favorite in my practice routine!"
"I love how JamFlow combines the art of improvisation with technology. A definite favorite in my practice routine!"
Reflection
01 What I learned
Reflection
01 What I learned
Design is not a linear process
There are ups and downs throughout our product cycle, and we have to make changes to reflect the updated needs and resources we have. The end product may turn out to be something we didn’t expect.
Design is not a linear process
There are ups and downs throughout our product cycle, and we have to make changes to reflect the updated needs and resources we have. The end product may turn out to be something we didn’t expect.
Design is not a linear process
There are ups and downs throughout our product cycle, and we have to make changes to reflect the updated needs and resources we have. The end product may turn out to be something we didn’t expect.
Balancing user needs and business goals
It's important to design win-win products for both users and business. While prioritizing user needs, we should also approach product design with a business mindset.
Balancing user needs and business goals
It's important to design win-win products for both users and business. While prioritizing user needs, we should also approach product design with a business mindset.
02 If I had more time, I would…
02 If I had more time, I would…
Increase diversity in participants
Expand our usability evaluation with a larger and more diverse sample of users and continue making improvements according to their needs.
A comprehensive music practice experience
Design a physical music studio where JamFlow can seamlessly integrated as a part of the studio.
Cross-platform experiences
Design a mobile app that allows users to access JamFlow not only in the music studio, but from any place they want.
Increase diversity of users tested
Expand our usability evaluation with a larger and more diverse sample of users and continue making improvements according to their needs.
Increase diversity of users tested
Expand our usability evaluation with a larger and more diverse sample of users and continue making improvements according to their needs.
A comprehensive music practice experience
Design a physical music studio where JamFlow can seamlessly integrated as a part of the studio.
A comprehensive music practice experience
Design a physical music studio where JamFlow can seamlessly integrated as a part of the studio.
Cross-platform experience
Design a mobile app that allows users to access JamFlow not only in the music studio, but from any place they want.
Cross-platform experience
Design a mobile app that allows users to access JamFlow not only in the music studio, but from any place they want.
Next Project
Next Project
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