UI | UX CASE STUDY 2023
Behind the Name
The name “Dead Wax” is derived from the often-overlooked area on vinyl records, located between the last track of music and the label. This space, known as the “dead wax,” contains markings and inscriptions that hold valuable information about the record’s production journey. It is where you can find catalog numbers, pressing details, mastering engineer signatures, and even hidden messages from artists. By choosing the name Dead Wax, we pay homage to the craftsmanship and the untold stories behind each record, offering music lovers a platform that goes beyond the surface to provide a comprehensive and immersive experience in the world of vinyl.
Vision
Dead Wax redefines the online record shopping experience, offering a seamless, personalized, and convenient platform for music lovers. Discover, purchase, and sell records like never before, embracing the freedom of exploring and owning your favorite albums anytime, anywhere. With a user-friendly interface, extensive inventory, and smart suggestions based on your music preferences, Dead Wax enhances music exploration and customer satisfaction, making it the ultimate destination for vinyl enthusiasts.
Mission
Dead Wax strives to redefine online record shopping by providing a seamless, personalized, and convenient experience. The goal is to empower music lovers to discover, purchase, and sell records embracing the freedom of exploring and owning their favorite records anytime and anywhere.
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Dead Wax aims to revolutionize the way music lovers discover, purchase, and sell records by providing a seamless and immersive online shopping experience. Our focus is on eliminating the limitations of traditional retail environments, allowing users to quickly and easily find their desired records without the need to visit physical stores.
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Dead Wax goes beyond mere transactions, offering smart suggestions based on users’ record collection, prior purchases, listening history on Spotify and Apple Music, their friends’ purchases, friends’ listening history on Spotify and Apple Music, similar artists to their collection, and purchases, what’s trending, new releases, and specific record labels. Additionally, users have the ability to upload their personal record collection, sell records from their collection, and browse other users’ record collections.
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Dead Wax goes beyond mere transactions, offering smart suggestions based on users’ record collection, prior purchases, listening history on Spotify and Apple Music, their friends’ purchases, friends’ listening history on Spotify and Apple Music, similar artists to their collection, and purchases, what’s trending, new releases, and specific record labels. Additionally, users have the ability to upload their personal record collection, sell records from their collection, and browse other users’ record collections.
Research
I began my design process by conducting user research to understand the needs, preferences, and pain points of vinyl collectors. Competitor research, SWOT analysis and usability testing sessions helped me gather insights into user behavior and expectations. Thru my research, I identified the target audience, music enthusiasts, casual listeners, and serious collectors, each with varying levels of familiarity with technology.
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Strengths
Large Database: Discogs boasts one of the largest online databases of music releases, contributing to its status as a comprehensive resource for collectors and enthusiasts.
Community Engagement: The platform has a strong community of users who contribute by adding and editing content, enhancing data accuracy and richness.
Market Leader: Discogs is a recognized leader in the music database and marketplace niche, enjoying a strong brand reputation.
Marketplace Functionality: Its integrated marketplace facilitates buying and selling of music-related items, creating a unique user experience that promotes engagement.
Global Reach: Discogs caters to an international audience, connecting music lovers and sellers from around the world.
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Weaknesses
Learning Curve: The platform's extensive features and data can be overwhelming for new users, potentially deterring them from fully utilizing the site.
Data Accuracy: Due to the community-driven nature, inaccuracies can arise in the database, leading to discrepancies in information.
Limited Media: Discogs primarily focuses on physical music releases, potentially neglecting the growing market for digital media and streaming services.
Seller Accountability: While the marketplace encourages trade, occasional disputes over item quality, shipping, and seller authenticity can arise.
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Opportunties
Digital Expansion: Expanding into digital music services and streaming integration could tap into the growing demand for online music consumption.
Collaboration with Artists and Labels: Building partnerships with musicians, bands, and record labels could add a new dimension to the platform and attract more users.
Enhanced User Experience: Streamlining the user interface, navigation, and data submission process could make the platform more user-friendly and appealing.
Data Monetization: Leveraging its vast dataset for market insights and analytics could open up new revenue streams beyond the marketplace.
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Threats
Competition: Discogs faces competition from other music databases, marketplaces, and streaming platforms, potentially affecting user retention and growth.
Data Privacy Concerns: The platform collects and stores user data, which could attract regulatory scrutiny or privacy-related challenges.
Changing Music Consumption Patterns: As music consumption shifts towards digital formats and streaming, the demand for physical releases might decline, impacting Discogs' marketplace.
Counterfeit Items: Ensuring the authenticity of items in the marketplace is a challenge, with the potential for counterfeit products to negatively impact the user experience and reputation.
HYpothesis
Dead Wax's immersive online record shopping experience will heighten user engagement and satisfaction. Personalized recommendations, streamlined navigation, and seamless transactions are anticipated to drive increased retention, conversions, and a vibrant music community. Integration of music preferences from platforms like Spotify and Apple Music will further enhance relevant suggestions, fostering exploration and ownership of favorite records.
Objectives
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Music enthusiasts, vinyl collectors, and record aficionados who want to explore, purchase, and share their favorite records online.
The target audience includes individuals proficient with technology and those seeking a convenient and immersive record shopping experience.
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Seamlessly discover, explore, sell, and purchase a diverse range of vinyl records.
Personalized recommendations, smart filters, and a hassle-free checkout process, that is bound to revolutionize the way users collect and sell vinyl records.
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Dead Wax addresses the need for a modern, user-centric online record shopping experience.
By combining convenience, personalization, and a vibrant community, Dead Wax empowers users to curate their music collections with ease, discover new sounds, and connect with fellow enthusiasts.
It offers a solution for those seeking to embrace the vinyl revival and create a meaningful connection with their favorite music.
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They can easily create an account, browse through an extensive inventory of records using personalized filters, and make purchases with a simplified checkout process.
The integration of their music preferences from platforms like Spotify and Apple Music will ensure that they receive accurate and relevant recommendations, helping them discover new records that resonate with their taste.
Additionally, users can explore seller profiles, access comprehensive information about the records, and connect with a community of music enthusiasts, enhancing their overall engagement and satisfaction on the platform.
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Dead Wax is accessible anytime and anywhere, catering to users during their daily commutes, leisure moments, and breaks. Convenience and flexibility make it ideal for moments when users want to browse, buy, and connect with their favorite records.
Users can engage with Dead Wax on multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers. This accessibility ensures that users can explore and purchase records from the comfort of their homes, on the go, or wherever they have an internet connection.
Ideation
MVP Objective
Focus on core features such as user account creation, browsing and searching for records, and a streamlined checkout process.
User Flow
I crafted a key user flow that encompassed account creation, record browsing, purchasing, and profile management. Clear pathways were established to ensure a seamless journey from exploration to transaction.
Low-Fi Wireframes
Low-fidelity sketched wireframes were created to outline the layout and hierarchy of key screens, such as the homepage, record details, and checkout. These wireframes provided a foundational blueprint for the user interface.
mid-Fi Wireframes
Through iterative design, I seamlessly transitioned to mid-fidelity wireframes, adding more contextual details and interactions.
hi-Fi gray Wireframes
Finally, high-fidelity gray wireframes were meticulously developed, bringing the design closer to its polished form while maintaining a focus on core functionality and user journey.
Prototyping
Building upon the foundation of high-fidelity wireframes, I seamlessly transitioned into the development of an interactive prototype. This prototype serves as a dynamic representation of the user interface, allowing stakeholders and users to navigate through the app's key features and functionalities. Through the prototype, I was able to simulate user interactions, such as browsing records, adding items to the cart, and completing a purchase, providing a tangible experience of the app's flow and usability. This pivotal step enabled me to validate design decisions, uncover potential usability issues, and gather valuable feedback for further refinement before proceeding to the next development phase.
User Testing
To ensure the effectiveness of my design and prototype, I conducted user testing sessions with a diverse group of participants. During these sessions, users were presented with various tasks, such as creating an account, browsing records, purchasing an album, and viewing their profile. By closely observing their interactions and gathering feedback, I gained valuable insights into the user experience and identified areas for improvement.
User feedback highlighted the need for clearer labeling of key actions, enhanced visibility of certain elements like the "For Sale" label, and more intuitive cart management. This iterative process allowed us to fine-tune the interface, optimize user flows, and address pain points, ensuring that Dead Wax delivers a seamless and enjoyable record shopping experience for users of all levels of familiarity with technology.
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"i found it difficult to find the buying options, making these elements larger would make it easier to navigate"
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"I found DeadWax easy to use, but i had difficulty reading some of the font. Making this larger would be great!"
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"I expected the home button to be on the left side, because that is what I am used to."
Branding
Dead Wax's identity blends vintage record aesthetics with modern digital convenience. The logo combines a vinyl record motif with contemporary typography, symbolizing tradition and innovation. The vibrant neon accents, interactive use of colors, and overall tone capture the essence of the platform's user journey and foster a sense of connection and excitement for music enthusiasts.
Logo
Typography
The main typeface is Century Gothic- which is a modern and legible typface. Ohm Bold and Ohm Regular are also used, only for larger headlines and the logo. Both of these typefaces align with the overall brand idenity and convey simplicity and clarity.
Color
The color palette reflects the brand’s attributes of trustworthiness, reliability, and innovation. Utilizing simple neutrals and incorporating bold and vibrant colors to evoke energy and excitement. The incorporation of contrast enhances the visual appeal and overall legibility for optimal accessibility.
Neutrals
HEX: 000000
HEX: FFFFFF
Primary
HEX: C200FB
Secondary
HEX: 00DED0
Tertiary
HEX: 89FC00
Error
HEX: F41C34
Imagery
The product images on Dead Wax are carefully curated to capture the essence of each vinyl record, showcasing intricate album artwork and details that resonate with music enthusiasts. Specific listings will showcase the actual product they are purchasing from a seller. These images not only provide an accurate representation of the product but also contribute to the immersive experience, enabling users to visually connect with their favorite records before making a purchase.
Iconography
The icon set is unique yet consistent, representing various features, functionalities, and information. Icons are intuitive, visually appealing, and easily recognizable increasing user adoption.
Voice
Dead Wax aims to be friendly, approachable, and helpful in all communication. The writing style should use clear and concise language to effectively convey information to customers. Infusing a sense of excitement and passion for music into the messaging, while also empathizing with customers’ needs and providing solutions in a supportive manner.
“Unleash Your Love for Music with Dead Wax: Redefining Online
Record Shopping.”
“Seamless, personalized, and oh-so-convenient! Dive into the world of
music like never before with Dead Wax. ”
“Own Your Soundtrack: Embrace the Freedom of Music with Dead
Wax.”
“Thank you for joining the Dead Wax family. We’re here to help you
unlock the magic of music every step of the way.”
hi-Fi Wireframes
Once the branding elements were established, I seamlessly integrated these styles into high-fidelity wireframes. The color palette, typography, and visual motifs were thoughtfully incorporated to create a cohesive and engaging user interface. This ensured that the user experience resonated with the brand's identity while maintaining a clear and intuitive design language throughout the high-fidelity wireframes.
Final Designs
Thank you
Thank you
PROJECT ROLE & TOOLS
MARKET RESEARCH
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COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
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USER INTERVIEWS
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USER FLOW
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PROTOTYPING
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USER TESTING
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WIREFRAMES
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STYLE GUIDE
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INTERFACE DESIGN
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MARKET RESEARCH | COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS | USER INTERVIEWS | USER FLOW | PROTOTYPING | USER TESTING | WIREFRAMES | STYLE GUIDE | INTERFACE DESIGN |
Until we spin again…
There you have it – the wild ride through the Dead Wax UI/UX design extravaganza! I hope you enjoyed diving into the world of seamless record shopping as much as I enjoyed crafting it.
Thanks a million for cruising through my case study. If you've got that "aha!" moment and think we'd be a match made in design heaven, well, don't be shy – reach out, and let's chat about making some design magic together.
Until next time- keep groovin'!
