Designing 8035 Music Festival Mobile App
Designing 8035 Music Festival Mobile App
Designing 8035 Music Festival Mobile App
Designing 8035 Music Festival Mobile App
Designing 8035 Music Festival Mobile App
The 80/35 Music Festival is a multi-day music festival that takes over downtown Des Moines each summer. With such a large event, there was no way for people at the festival to easily access lineup information or get alerts if acts were running late.
The 80/35 Music Festival is a multi-day music festival that takes over downtown Des Moines each summer. With such a large event, there was no way for people at the festival to easily access lineup information or get alerts if acts were running late.
Overview
Overview
The 80/35 app needs to allow festival-goers to see the festival lineup, build a customized schedule and learn about each act and performer, see the map with vendors, stages and utilities. There needs to be an admin area for the 80/35 marketing and planner team allowing them to quickly and easily update and edit all content within the app and send push notifications to app users when needed – such as when stages are behind schedule or acts switch stages.
The 80/35 app needs to allow festival-goers to see the festival lineup, build a customized schedule and learn about each act and performer, see the map with vendors, stages and utilities. There needs to be an admin area for the 80/35 marketing and planner team allowing them to quickly and easily update and edit all content within the app and send push notifications to app users when needed – such as when stages are behind schedule or acts switch stages.
The 80/35 app needs to allow festival-goers to see the festival lineup, build a customized schedule and learn about each act and performer, see the map with vendors, stages and utilities. There needs to be an admin area for the 80/35 marketing and planner team allowing them to quickly and easily update and edit all content within the app and send push notifications to app users when needed – such as when stages are behind schedule or acts switch stages.
Challenges
Challenges
Project had a very tight deadline, from initial product kickoff with client to engineering and deployment of the app: 3 months; most of the historic data for users from previous apps was top-level based on the historic website analytics. The app needed to follow very specific style for that year (which was arcade and retro games) created by unique marketing campaign; no budget for user testing because the project was pro-bono; content and graphics were not finalized. We needed to incorporate the event map and also allow social media sharing feature; team was very small: 4 total people.
Project had a very tight deadline, from initial product kickoff with client to engineering and deployment of the app: 3 months; most of the historic data for users from previous apps was top-level based on the historic website analytics. The app needed to follow very specific style for that year (which was arcade and retro games) created by unique marketing campaign; no budget for user testing because the project was pro-bono; content and graphics were not finalized. We needed to incorporate the event map and also allow social media sharing feature; team was very small: 4 total people.
Project had a very tight deadline, from initial product kickoff with client to engineering and deployment of the app: 3 months; most of the historic data for users from previous apps was top-level based on the historic website analytics. The app needed to follow very specific style for that year (which was arcade and retro games) created by unique marketing campaign; no budget for user testing because the project was pro-bono; content and graphics were not finalized. We needed to incorporate the event map and also allow social media sharing feature; team was very small: 4 total people.
responsibilities
responsibilities
responsibilities
+
Competitor analysis
+
Game interface design
+
Low and medium fidelity wireframes
+
Mobile app design
+
UI and UX design
+
Art direction
+
Project management
+
Illustrations
team
team
team
+
Jill Haverkamp (Product Owner)
+
Clayton Brady (iOS Developer)
+
Chris Wagner (Android Developer)
+
Roman (UI/UX Designer)
duration
duration
duration
3 months
Music can change the world because it can change people.
Music can change the world because it can change people.
Music can change the world because it can change people.
Music can change the world because it can change people.
Bono
App ideation and research
App ideation and research
8035 Music Festival had over 4 years of Google analytics data from their main event website, which I utilized to better understand who the main audience and primary online platforms were. I also looked at the average order history and the historic data trends by different demographics.
I decided to lead a brainstorming session within our team to put gather various concepts and ideas about possible features considering mandatory requirements within the tight timeline we were given. Mind map below is a general overview of some of the random ideas, visual hierarchy and outlines of some features of the app that our team came up with. Because of the deadline, we only selected and decided on a couple of features that we thought would make this app a success and make the biggest positive impact for the festival organizers.
8035 Music Festival had over 4 years of Google analytics data from their main event website, which I utilized to better understand who the main audience and primary online platforms were. I also looked at the average order history and the historic data trends by different demographics.
I decided to lead a brainstorming session within our team to put gather various concepts and ideas about possible features considering mandatory requirements within the tight timeline we were given. Mind map below is a general overview of some of the random ideas, visual hierarchy and outlines of some features of the app that our team came up with. Because of the deadline, we only selected and decided on a couple of features that we thought would make this app a success and make the biggest positive impact for the festival organizers.
UX
_Design
UX
_Design
UX
_Design
UX
_Design
UX
_Design
Focusing on solutions
Focusing on solutions
_01
Event management
Event management
Make an intuitive, efficient and easy way to browse music bands to build personalized My Schedule feature by creating a quick favourite/love feature, introducing quick filtering to daily lineups by genre, stage and day, creating notification system for any lineup changes.
The goal for this solution is to make a structured, easy user interface to help shoppers navigate main and sub-categories for the store, get quick exposure to Specials/Featured sections. Reorganize content structure and make the mobile experience for navigating more straightforward and organic to the users. Offer quick access to support.
The goal for this solution is to make a structured, easy user interface to help shoppers navigate main and sub-categories for the store, get quick exposure to Specials/Featured sections. Reorganize content structure and make the mobile experience for navigating more straightforward and organic to the users. Offer quick access to support.
The goal for this solution is to make a structured, easy user interface to help shoppers navigate main and sub-categories for the store, get quick exposure to Specials/Featured sections. Reorganize content structure and make the mobile experience for navigating more straightforward and organic to the users. Offer quick access to support.
The goal for this solution is to make a structured, easy user interface to help shoppers navigate main and sub-categories for the store, get quick exposure to Specials/Featured sections. Reorganize content structure and make the mobile experience for navigating more straightforward and organic to the users. Offer quick access to support.
_02
Interactive map experience
Interactive map experience
Adding a social media integration and gamification feature to the interactive map by using Facebook login and location tracking, displaying user's location and their friends on the map, have ability to view vendors and utilities.
Adding a social media integration and gamification feature to the interactive map by using Facebook login and location tracking, displaying user's location and their friends on the map, have ability to view vendors and utilities.
_03
News and social updates
News and social updates
Add a section for the Events news, updates, and social media feed (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) to increase social media engagement and keep visitors updated and informed on any schedule changes
Add a section for the Events news, updates, and social media feed (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) to increase social media engagement and keep visitors updated and informed on any schedule changes
_04
Interactive game experience
Interactive game experience
Building an actual interactive game experience inspired by the 80s that would allow visitors to interact with their friends, collect points, compete with other festival goers in the leaderboard to win festival swag.
Having an actual interactive game built on top of the map that allows visitors to interact with their friends, collect points, compet
Low fidelity concepts & wireframes
Low fidelity concepts & wireframes
For this step, I decided to sketch out all the screens based on the sitemap and the useflow I created. I worked closely with the Product owner and the Engineers to make sure we have all the main screens for the main solutions were approved before I moved to the final high fidelity design. Overall, I created over 20 low fidelity wireframes for this, including the interactive game concept we decided on as a team.
For this step, I decided to sketch out all the screens based on the sitemap and the useflow I created. I worked closely with the Product owner and the Engineers to make sure we have all the main screens for the main solutions were approved before I moved to the final high fidelity design. Overall, I created over 20 low fidelity wireframes for this, including the interactive game concept we decided on as a team.
Visual
_Design
Visual
_Design
Visual
_Design
Visual
_Design
Visual
_Design
Testing 'Add to My Schedule' icon
In this phase of design, I wanted to test different variations for adding bands to Custom Schedule feature when clicking on the icon. I used couple versions of the stylized icons that would represent that action.
The final version is based on user feedback from the multivariate usability testing (A/B) I have done internally in our company (25 people total participated). The script asked user to add any band they wanted to their favorites and also decide which version of the icon was the right option for doing that.
In this phase of design, I wanted to test different variations for adding bands to Custom Schedule feature when clicking on the icon. I used couple versions of the stylized icons that would represent that action.
The final version is based on user feedback from the multivariate usability testing (A/B) I have done internally in our company (25 people total participated). The script asked user to add any band they wanted to their favorites and also decide which version of the icon was the right option for doing that.
Testing 'Add to My Schedule' icon
Bottom navigation bar
Bottom navigation bar
Early in the wireframing stage, Product owner wasn’t sure what was the best order for the main tab navigation for the user would be based on my first suggested concept. I used our internal User Testing groupd to give some options. We all agreed initially that News and Home would stay where they are. Quick feedback and final app design utilized the version with the most votes.
Early in the wireframing stage, Product owner wasn’t sure what was the best order for the main tab navigation for the user would be based on my first suggested concept. I used our internal User Testing groupd to give some options. We all agreed initially that News and Home would stay where they are. Quick feedback and final app design utilized the version with the most votes.
Managing events and updates
Managing events and updates
Planning the best possible experience for festival visitors includes knowing who’s playing right now or in the future, also knowing 100% that you favorite band isn’t running late in the schedule.
The quick snapshot of current and upcoming shows plus addition of the notifications on the home screen allows user an easy way to stay on top of the festival event and not get frustrated by missing any important information. I used the video game branding theme to introduce some fun pixel-style typography for the band names but still keeping main navigation UI as readable and legible as possible with the sans-serif font. I used a lot of bright colors to allow user quickly differentiate between favorited and regular music bands on the home screen.
The tab navigation allows to quickly toggle between current playing bands and the future without making user leave this screen. I have used the multivariate test again (25 people) here to figure out which style resonated the most with the testers.
Early in the wireframing stage, Product owner wasn’t sure what was the best order for the main tab navigation for the user would be based on my first suggested concept. I used our internal User Testing groupd to give some options. We all agreed initially that News and Home would stay where they are. Quick feedback and final app design utilized the version with the most votes.
Early in the wireframing stage, Product owner wasn’t sure what was the best order for the main tab navigation for the user would be based on my first suggested concept. I used our internal User Testing groupd to give some options. We all agreed initially that News and Home would stay where they are. Quick feedback and final app design utilized the version with the most votes.
Lineup
_Filtering
Lineup
_Filtering
Lineup
_Filtering
Lineup
_Filtering
Lineup
_Filtering
Personalized lineup experience
This solution for showing multiple ongoing performers in the Lineup is to give a quick snapshot divided by festival days, stages and also offering additional filtering capability by genre. Users are able to quickly add it to their Custom Schedule by clicking on the star and getting visual feedback by solid star state icon.
The filtering modal feature allows a very fast access for the user to further filter bands by their favorite genre which will present a more personalized experience.
This solution for showing multiple ongoing performers in the Lineup is to give a quick snapshot divided by festival days, stages and also offering additional filtering capability by genre. Users are able to quickly add it to their Custom Schedule by clicking on the star and getting visual feedback by solid star state icon.
The filtering modal feature allows a very fast access for the user to further filter bands by their favorite genre which will present a more personalized experience.
Personalized lineup experience
'My schedule' design
'My schedule' design
To add more social media engagement and attract more visitors to the festival, I added a quick button at the bottom of a lineup that allowed for quick sharing feature on main social media platforms.
To add more social media engagement and attract more visitors to the festival, I added a quick button at the bottom of a lineup that allowed for quick sharing feature on main social media platforms.
Interactive Map
_Gamification
Interactive Map
_Gamification
Interactive Map
_Gamification
Interactive Map
_Gamification
Interactive Map
_Gamification
8035 interactive game design
8035 interactive game design
Early on in the project brainstorming and planning session, our team came up with an idea how we can increase engagement and raise awareness for the event by encouraging all users of the app to interact with the map. Our concept was to place and set up wireless Beacons around the festival grounds and have users collect virtual coins that would let them play the asteroid shooter game - scoring points and competing with others for the large festival prizes. This was a very ambitious and exciting project be part of, mostly because Engineers were certain they would be able to use existing game engine that would be portable to both iPhone and Androids.
The biggest challenge for me was to make wireframes and all the game UI assets in time for Engineers to finish the game, I was also part of the installation team on the ground that was in charge os placing beacons where we were expecting the least traffic in the area that wont be in the way of music listeners.
Early on in the project brainstorming and planning session, our team came up with an idea how we can increase engagement and raise awareness for the event by encouraging all users of the app to interact with the map. Our concept was to place and set up wireless Beacons around the festival grounds and have users collect virtual coins that would let them play the asteroid shooter game - scoring points and competing with others for the large festival prizes. This was a very ambitious and exciting project be part of, mostly because Engineers were certain they would be able to use existing game engine that would be portable to both iPhone and Androids.
The biggest challenge for me was to make wireframes and all the game UI assets in time for Engineers to finish the game, I was also part of the installation team on the ground that was in charge os placing beacons where we were expecting the least traffic in the area that wont be in the way of music listeners.
Game interface design
Game interface design
I have designed the video game experience that would walk the users through the short tutorial explaining the rules: the idea was for the app to generate random coins every 10 minutes in random places around the festival ground and whenever user became close to the Beacon, they would be able to collect and use that to play the game.
The game was to fly a spaceship and try to shoot down as many asteroids as possible to collect victory points and compete in the leaderboard. At the end of the festival the top players were given prizes from the organizers and featured in the local newspaper.
Another aspect was to participate, you had to log in with your Facebook account and also be able to share your achievements on the Facebook wall, in hopes of increasing overall engagement.
I have designed the video game experience that would walk the users through the short tutorial explaining the rules: the idea was for the app to generate random coins every 10 minutes in random places around the festival ground and whenever user became close to the Beacon, they would be able to collect and use that to play the game.
The game was to fly a spaceship and try to shoot down as many asteroids as possible to collect victory points and compete in the leaderboard. At the end of the festival the top players were given prizes from the organizers and featured in the local newspaper.
Another aspect was to participate, you had to log in with your Facebook account and also be able to share your achievements on the Facebook wall, in hopes of increasing overall engagement.
Outcome &
_Insights
Outcome &
_Insights
Outcome &
_Insights
Outcome &
_Insights
Outcome &
_Insights
40%
40%
40%
40%
40%
Increase in app downloads for App and Android users (combined)
Increase in app downloads for App and Android users (combined)
120
120
120
120
120
Users signed up and participated in the Interactive game experience
Users signed up and participated in the Interactive game experience
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
Deadline for the app launch was met successfully
Deadline for the app launch was met successfully
1
1
1
1
1
The app won an award for the Best Mobile App of the Year from Prometheus
The app won an award for the Best Mobile App of the Year
Success story
Success story
Even with the super tight deadline and lots of complex challenges, our team was able to deliver 100% of a functioning app on time for both platforms.
App has overall received a lot of positive feedback and helped to increase the number of satisifed attendees. The app also helped to promote the festival by raising more awarness through social media interaction and local media coverage. The game got early recognition from the news channel and newspaper.
Even with the super tight deadline and lots of complex challenges, our team was able to deliver 100% of a functioning app on time for both platforms.
App has overall received a lot of positive feedback and helped to increase the number of satisifed attendees. The app also helped to promote the festival by raising more awarness through social media interaction and local media coverage. The game got early recognition from the news channel and newspaper.
Future improvements
Future improvements
The app would benefit greatly from more social engagement tools: adding an interactive chat for each musical band to get like-minded folks together and discuss the music. It would also be awesome for users to be able to preview or listen to some sample tracks on bands they might be interested in.
Overall, I would have liked more time to do more planning for the features of the app. I had to take risks and make quick decisions about user flow and design elements.
The app would benefit greatly from more social engagement tools: adding an interactive chat for each musical band to get like-minded folks together and discuss the music. It would also be awesome for users to be able to preview or listen to some sample tracks on bands they might be interested in.
Overall, I would have liked more time to do more planning for the features of the app. I had to take risks and make quick decisions about user flow and design elements.
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Are you looking to solve your user experience challenges for a specific project?
.. Or just want to discuss your favorite sci-fi movie, book or show?
Let’s have a chat, a pow-wow, a chin wag, a palaver, or a jibber-jabber! I am open to freelance!
Designed by Human. Inspired by robots.
2023
Are you looking to solve your user experience challenges for a specific project?
.. Or just want to discuss your favorite sci-fi movie, book or show?
Let’s have a chat, a pow-wow, a chin wag, a palaver, or a jibber-jabber! I am open to freelance!
Designed by Human. Inspired by robots.
2023
Are you looking to solve your user experience challenges for a specific project?
.. Or just want to discuss your favorite sci-fi movie, book or show?
Let’s have a chat, a pow-wow, a chin wag, a palaver, or a jibber-jabber! I am open to freelance!
Designed by Human. Inspired by robots.
2023