ABC Pulse: Redefining ABC's radio experience in a digital era
UX / UI Design
Overview
My contribution
Research
Wireframing
High-fidelity Prototyping
Usability Testing
The team
Me
3x team members
Duration
10 weeks
Tools
Figma
IN A SNAPSHOT
The Problem
In an overcrowded digital landscape where short form platforms (e.g. TikTok) has shaped how people listen and interact with content, people are disconnecting with radio.
Goals and Challenges
Design an interface tailored for digital platforms that promotes participation and a sense of ownership
Implementing effective moderation to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all users
Differentiating a digital radio platform from streaming platforms
The Solution
My group and I designed a mobile application ABC pulse which aims to revitalise the radio experience through a community-based approach, encouraging interaction and connection around shared interests and personalisation.
RESEARCH
Firstly, we needed to understand radio in the modern, digital era.
In my group, I was tasked with leading the background research. I conducted extensive research across multiple platforms to understand the context and issues.
Background research encompassed understanding:
Whilst our background research aided in understanding the wider problem, we employed specific primary research methods to uncover knowledge gaps from a user-centred perspective.
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
From all the research, we gathered insights and converged to the root problem.
Key Insights
People are disconnecting from the radio because it's:
Unegaging
Our interview data revealed most users listen to the radio only as a last resort when other forms of media are not available.
Additionally, while 82% of our respondents listen for entertainment purposes and music discovery, most do not like unnecessary chatter.
Lacking in personalisation and flexibility
Our competitor analysis showed key market trends in personalised content.
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
Qualitative interview data showed the ability to connect with other users and personalisation may make radio platforms more appealing.
38.5% of respondents reported they felt neutrally engaged with the content of existing radio apps.
THE OPPORTUNITY
"How might we differentiate radio from music streaming while fostering a real sense of communal listening experiences to promote active participation and ownership in a digital-first radio station?"
IDEATION
Defining the MVP and narrowing down the scope of work.
Through two rounds of ideation and sketching, our team identified several common features. Due to time constraints, these were narrowed down by using a Prioritisation Matrix based on our persona needs and feasibility.
Features include:
Sharing your thoughts in real time
Users can comment and view and like other peoples' comments, fostering a shared listening experience.
Interactive Q&A and polls from hosts
Users mentioned that unnecessary chatter detracted from the radio experience. Therefore, fostering meaningful connections between radio hosts and listeners through interactive Q&A and polls will create a dynamic experience that is relevant to listeners.
Collaborative listening parties
Users can host collaborative sessions with friends to create a shared listening experience.
Personalised content
As ethnographic and interview data highlighted the lack of personalisation being a major factor in deterring radio use, the app should support personalised recommendations for programs, podcasts and music.
Discovering local music and events
Users can see and attend upcoming virtual and in-person events, related to the stations or artists.
THE SOLUTION
Introducing ABC pulse.
ABC pulse is a mobile application designed to foster a user-centric and communal radio experience.
For our product 'ABC pulse', we wanted to create a refreshing and clean UI, resonating with ABC's design system to convey trustworthiness. ABC pulse answers the brief by addressing the key insights we identified.
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.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
How can we design audio content that is accessible to everyone?
Accessibility
As an audio platform, it was important for us to consider individuals who may be visually impaired or were hard of hearing. ABC pulse includes the following features:
An accessible colour palette, with high contrast between text and backgrounds in accordance to the WCAG guidelines (minimum of 4.5:1 ratio).
The ability to adjust font size, allowing customisation for readability.
Live caption options to ensure those who are hard of hearing can fully engage with the platform as well.
Privacy and Transparency
Personalised content based on location was a main feature as part of our product to foster a sense of community. Data protection is maintained by:
Adjusting the ability to share their location within the settings page.
Community guidelines where clear communication about how user’s data (ie. comments) will be moderated.
Skills and Key Learnings
Although a university-led project, we were given independence which fostered my critical thinking skills and decision making. Through working with a client, I've developed my collaborative skills and pitching skills to present my ideas with confidence.
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
This was a first experience working with a client, which taught me the value of effective communication and need to 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.