JAMN!
JAMN!
A music lover collaboration platform that enable talent artists being discovered.
A music lover collaboration platform that enable talent artists being discovered.
by zheng
by zheng
web app
mobile app
online community
design system
my role
my role
design lead
design lead
user researcher
user researcher
ux designer
ux designer
ui designer
ui designer
deliverables
deliverables
design system
design system
user interview
user interview
high fidelity
high fidelity
full stack website
full stack website
team
team
3 developers
3 developers
4 designers
4 designers
time
time
2024.1 - 2024.4
2024.1 - 2024.4
13 weeks
13 weeks
project summary
project summary
We identified an opportunity to connect music lovers within the city who aspire to be discovered and seek opportunities to jam and collaborate with others who share similar tastes. Over a 13-week project, I collaborated with 3 developers and 3 designers, serving as the design lead to build a full-stack, web-based platform that provides a space for these music enthusiasts to find jam partners and share their creative works. The platform is designed as a niche social platform for the music community, offering a space for unique interactions and creative expression.
We identified an opportunity to connect music lovers within the city who aspire to be discovered and seek opportunities to jam and collaborate with others who share similar tastes. Over a 13-week project, I collaborated with 3 developers and 3 designers, serving as the design lead to build a full-stack, web-based platform that provides a space for these music enthusiasts to find jam partners and share their creative works. The platform is designed as a niche social platform for the music community, offering a space for unique interactions and creative expression.
view the project website >
view the project website >
my mission
my mission
As the Design Lead, I was responsible for quality control throughout the entire design process, including interviews, persona development, user stories, sitemaps, user flows, wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and user testing. I also developed our design system, which included creating UI kits and reusable components. I specifically designed the entire flow and frames for the homepage and event section. Additionally, I served as the liaison between the design and development teams, providing annotations, ensuring design alignment, and facilitating design handoffs to maintain smooth collaboration and shared understanding.
As the Design Lead, I was responsible for quality control throughout the entire design process, including interviews, persona development, user stories, sitemaps, user flows, wireframes, mockups, prototypes, and user testing. I also developed our design system, which included creating UI kits and reusable components. I specifically designed the entire flow and frames for the homepage and event section. Additionally, I served as the liaison between the design and development teams, providing annotations, ensuring design alignment, and facilitating design handoffs to maintain smooth collaboration and shared understanding.
problem definition
problem definition
Discovering the Missing Link: Why Music Lovers Struggle to Connect
Discovering the Missing Link: Why Music Lovers Struggle to Connect
We began by observing that many local music enthusiasts were struggling to find compatible partners to jam and collaborate with. Our team dug deeper through interviews and surveys, which revealed that existing platforms focus on superficial connections rather than musical talent. This led us to identify a significant gap in the market—a lack of platforms centered around authentic music-based connections.
We began by observing that many local music enthusiasts were struggling to find compatible partners to jam and collaborate with. Our team dug deeper through interviews and surveys, which revealed that existing platforms focus on superficial connections rather than musical talent. This led us to identify a significant gap in the market—a lack of platforms centered around authentic music-based connections.
key findings:
key findings:
Surface-Level Connections: Existing platforms function more like dating apps, connecting users through photos and bios instead of music.
Lack of Purely Music-Based Platforms: Users expressed frustration that platforms are not purely focused on music collaboration and talent.
Desire for Music-Centric Networking: Our target users want a space to showcase their talent, connect through musical work, and build a music portfolio similar to how Behance works for designers.
Surface-Level Connections: Existing platforms function more like dating apps, connecting users through photos and bios instead of music.
Lack of Purely Music-Based Platforms: Users expressed frustration that platforms are not purely focused on music collaboration and talent.
Desire for Music-Centric Networking: Our target users want a space to showcase their talent, connect through musical work, and build a music portfolio similar to how Behance works for designers.
solution
solution
Turning a Passion into a Melody: A Jam Space for Music Enthusiasts
Turning a Passion into a Melody: A Jam Space for Music Enthusiasts
We aim to create a space for music enthusiasts—whether they are vocalists, drummers, guitarists, or players of niche instruments—to showcase their talents and find compatible jam partners. Our platform focuses on individuals ranging from beginners to passionate music lovers who aren’t full-time musicians but enjoy playing in their spare time. This space will help them connect, gain exposure, and even catch the attention of talent scouts.
We aim to create a space for music enthusiasts—whether they are vocalists, drummers, guitarists, or players of niche instruments—to showcase their talents and find compatible jam partners. Our platform focuses on individuals ranging from beginners to passionate music lovers who aren’t full-time musicians but enjoy playing in their spare time. This space will help them connect, gain exposure, and even catch the attention of talent scouts.
Jam Search: Find and connect with fellow musicians to jam based on mutual availability.
Event Share: Promote gigs and events, inviting others to join and support the music community.
Portfolio Showcase: Upload and display your music portfolio, similar to how designers use Behance, to share your unique creations.
Jam Search: Find and connect with fellow musicians to jam based on mutual availability.
Event Share: Promote gigs and events, inviting others to join and support the music community.
Portfolio Showcase: Upload and display your music portfolio, similar to how designers use Behance, to share your unique creations.
ideation
ideation
From Ideas to Design: Where melody meets
From Ideas to Design: Where melody meets
We aim to create a platform that’s more music-centric than traditional social media. Our focus is on placing user needs first, where music is the primary language, and every feature revolves around helping users connect through their musical talents. By segmenting different user needs—whether it’s jamming casually, joining a band, practicing as a beginner, or collaborating on new music—we enable tailored connections that prioritize their passion for music over typical social media interactions.
We aim to create a platform that’s more music-centric than traditional social media. Our focus is on placing user needs first, where music is the primary language, and every feature revolves around helping users connect through their musical talents. By segmenting different user needs—whether it’s jamming casually, joining a band, practicing as a beginner, or collaborating on new music—we enable tailored connections that prioritize their passion for music over typical social media interactions.
Crafting the Design: Step-by-Step Approach to Building a Music-Centric Platform
Crafting the Design: Step-by-Step Approach to Building a Music-Centric Platform
step 1
step 1
Understanding User Needs
Understanding User Needs
We started by identifying what music enthusiasts really want from a platform. Rather than a generic social media space, we envisioned a community built around the idea that music is the primary language. This realization set the foundation for every design decision that followed. By listening to our target users’ desires and frustrations, we recognized that current platforms lacked the true essence of music-based connection.
We started by identifying what music enthusiasts really want from a platform. Rather than a generic social media space, we envisioned a community built around the idea that music is the primary language. This realization set the foundation for every design decision that followed. By listening to our target users’ desires and frustrations, we recognized that current platforms lacked the true essence of music-based connection.
step 2
step 2
Segmenting Search Features Based on User Intent
Segmenting Search Features Based on User Intent
We realized that people approach music collaborations with varying goals. Some want to casually jam, others seek serious band members, and beginners look for practice partners. To reflect these unique needs, we segmented the search feature into four clear categories:
We realized that people approach music collaborations with varying goals. Some want to casually jam, others seek serious band members, and beginners look for practice partners. To reflect these unique needs, we segmented the search feature into four clear categories:
Casual Jamming: Allowing users to find partners who want to play together casually, with no long-term commitment.
Band Partner Search: Targeted at finding dedicated musicians interested in joining or forming a band.
Beginner Practice: Aimed at beginners who want to practice and learn in a low-pressure environment.
Music Collaboration: Connecting musicians who want to create new music together, focusing on featured projects.
Casual Jamming: Allowing users to find partners who want to play together casually, with no long-term commitment.
Band Partner Search: Targeted at finding dedicated musicians interested in joining or forming a band.
Beginner Practice: Aimed at beginners who want to practice and learn in a low-pressure environment.
Music Collaboration: Connecting musicians who want to create new music together, focusing on featured projects.
Each category ensures users can connect based on shared interests and goals rather than a generic search, making the platform more meaningful and relevant.
Each category ensures users can connect based on shared interests and goals rather than a generic search, making the platform more meaningful and relevant.
step 3
step 3
Designing Dual Search and Request Flows
Designing Dual Search and Request Flows
We wanted to give users flexibility in finding and connecting with others, so we created two distinct approaches to the search flow:
We wanted to give users flexibility in finding and connecting with others, so we created two distinct approaches to the search flow:
Search & Send Requests: Users can actively search through profiles and send direct collaboration requests, empowering them to take the initiative.
Hunting Post: Inspired by job posts on platforms like LinkedIn, we designed a feature that allows users to post their specific needs. This gives potential partners a chance to express their interest and respond proactively.
Search & Send Requests: Users can actively search through profiles and send direct collaboration requests, empowering them to take the initiative.
Hunting Post: Inspired by job posts on platforms like LinkedIn, we designed a feature that allows users to post their specific needs. This gives potential partners a chance to express their interest and respond proactively.
This dual search and request system makes the process of finding collaborators more dynamic and user-friendly, accommodating different preferences in how people like to connect.
This dual search and request system makes the process of finding collaborators more dynamic and user-friendly, accommodating different preferences in how people like to connect.
step 4
step 4
Focusing on Location-Based Matching
Focusing on Location-Based Matching
Understanding that most of our users are part-time music lovers with limited free time, we focused on location-based matching to make it easier to connect with local musicians. Whether it’s for a quick jam session or consistent band practice, the ability to find nearby partners ensures that our users can prioritize their music without worrying about long commutes or scheduling conflicts.
Understanding that most of our users are part-time music lovers with limited free time, we focused on location-based matching to make it easier to connect with local musicians. Whether it’s for a quick jam session or consistent band practice, the ability to find nearby partners ensures that our users can prioritize their music without worrying about long commutes or scheduling conflicts.
step 5
step 5
Establishing a Music-First Design Language
Establishing a Music-First Design Language
To reinforce the music-centric nature of the platform, we avoided features that could distract from the core focus. Instead of conventional social media elements like photo-heavy profiles or unrelated social feeds, we made sure that music profiles, jam sessions, and collaboration projects took center stage. This approach guided us in creating a platform where connections are built through talent and musical creativity, not based on appearances or bios.
To reinforce the music-centric nature of the platform, we avoided features that could distract from the core focus. Instead of conventional social media elements like photo-heavy profiles or unrelated social feeds, we made sure that music profiles, jam sessions, and collaboration projects took center stage. This approach guided us in creating a platform where connections are built through talent and musical creativity, not based on appearances or bios.
By following these steps, we crafted a platform that resonates deeply with music lovers and serves as a true hub for collaboration and creative growth.
By following these steps, we crafted a platform that resonates deeply with music lovers and serves as a true hub for collaboration and creative growth.
reflection
reflection
Establishing a Music-First Design Language
Establishing a Music-First Design Language
To reinforce the music-centric nature of the platform, we avoided features that could distract from the core focus. Instead of conventional social media elements like photo-heavy profiles or unrelated social feeds, we made sure that music profiles, jam sessions, and collaboration projects took center stage. This approach guided us in creating a platform where connections are built through talent and musical creativity, not based on appearances or bios.
To reinforce the music-centric nature of the platform, we avoided features that could distract from the core focus. Instead of conventional social media elements like photo-heavy profiles or unrelated social feeds, we made sure that music profiles, jam sessions, and collaboration projects took center stage. This approach guided us in creating a platform where connections are built through talent and musical creativity, not based on appearances or bios.
By following these steps, we crafted a platform that resonates deeply with music lovers and serves as a true hub for collaboration and creative growth.
By following these steps, we crafted a platform that resonates deeply with music lovers and serves as a true hub for collaboration and creative growth.
Design Outcomes & UI Kits
Design Outcomes & UI Kits
