In an overcrowded digital landscape where short form platforms has shaped how people listen and interact with content, people are disconnecting with radio.
ABC Pulse is a mobile application which aims to redefine ABC's radio experience through a community-based approach, encouraging interaction and connection around shared interests and personalisation.
ROLE
Research
Wireframing
Prototyping
Usability Testing
TEAM
Me
3x team members
TIMELINE
10 weeks
TOOLS
Figma
CONTEXT
Showcased at ADP Grad Showcase Industry Award
Academic app concept in collaboration with ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
THE BRIEF
How might we foster communal listening experience to promote active participation and ownership in a digital-first radio station?
10 weeks. 4 designers. 1 challenge: revitalising ABC's radio experience in today's rising digital and short-form content. This shift has created a disconnect between radio and its listeners.
RESEARCH
Firstly, we needed to understand radio today's digital era
Background research encompassed understanding the following areas utilising qualitative and quantitative methods.
Existing radio and audio apps in the current market
Psychological motivations for seeking audio content
Improvements and features that could foster engagement
Online
Ethnography
App reviews of existing radio apps, posts and comments on forums about radio listening were chosen as users could freely express their opinions.
Online
Survey
85 responses, 76.5% were aged 18-29.
Uncovered quantitative data about radio listening habits from a wider demographic
Semi-Structured Interviews
7 participants
Provided qualitative insights focusing on Gen Z to investigate the reasons for which radio listening was not as popular, based on our background research.
ANALYSIS
Key insights
People are disconnecting from the radio because it's:
Unengaging
25% of our users listen to the radio only as a last resort.
Additionally, while 82% of our respondents listen for entertainment purposes and music discovery, most do not like unnecessary chatter.
Lacking in personalisation and flexibility
Ethnographic and interview findings indicate users prefer having control over their content (although some value the unpredictability and ‘human’ aspect of radio curation).
Lacking the community experience modern, young users expect
38.5% of respondents reported they felt neutrally engaged with the content of existing radio apps.
DESIGN
Introducing ABC pulse
A communal listening experience
From our research, people miss the feeling of not being the only one listening to a song or host. With the comment feature, users can share their thoughts with each other in real time. Users can also host collaborative listening parties with friends.
Personalised content and flexible routines
Lack of personalised content were driving users away from radio. With the routines feature, users can easily schedule in what they want to listen to, whenever they want without the pressure of having to choose each time. Alternatively, they can also create personalised playlists from different radio stations for more curated content.
Fostering meaningful interactions between listeners and hosts
Unnecessary chatter from radio hosts were pushing people away from radio listening. Radio hosts can also engage with listeners through interactive Q&A and polls to foster meaningful interactions and drive conversations that are relevant to listeners.
KEY LEARNINGS
Focus on building an MVP
With unprecedented scheduling difficulties in our group, it was hard at times to progress. I learnt the importance of focussing on the features that can deliver the highest value for your users.
It's okay to not always stick to the plan
Having flexible mindset based on real time user feedback and insights will provide more value in our product. By adapting tasks as the situation demands rather than rigidly sticking to them will allow for a better product more aligned with user needs.
Working with clients
Working with a client taught me the value of effective communication and balance between client expectations and user needs. Additionally, it underscored the importance of storytelling in design presentations. Being able to create compelling narrative around problem identification, business value was crucial for stakeholder buy-in.