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Project Overview

Role: UX Designer (end-to-end design)
Timeline: Nov 2021 – Feb 2022
Platform: Mobile (Concept) + Responsive Web
Tools: Figma, Usability Testing Tools, Wireframes & Prototypes

Project Summary

The challenge was that existing music networking platforms are time-consuming, poorly organized, include distracting ads, and are not intuitive for users looking to find niche creatives quickly. Unison was designed to simplify profile creation and discovery, allowing users to update and tailor profiles for more accurate search results while maintaining a clean, ad-free experience. 

User Research

Methods:

 

  • User interviews

  • Empathy mapping

  • Persona creation

 

Insights & Pain Points:

 

  • Time-consuming flows — users want quick setup and updates. 

  • Confusing navigation — current platforms lack intuitive UI. 

  • Ads are distracting — users prefer focused networking. 

  • Privacy controls — users want the option to restrict visibility of specific posts. 

 

Primary Persona:

 

  • Rich E. — Busy professional and musician needing a fast and easy way to connect with niche creatives while balancing work/family life.

Design Process

1. Paper Wireframes

  • Explored layout and hierarchy for discover, network, and profile flows.

 

2. Digital Wireframes

  • Combined key pages (discover + network) into a responsive structure that adapts to screen size.

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3. Low-Fidelity Prototype

  • Focused on the profile creation and update flow as the primary user journey.

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4. Usability Study (Unmoderated)

  • Sample: 5 participants (3 male, 2 female, ages 30–45) tested core tasks remotely.

  • Identified clarity and adaptability issues in early flows.

Key Iteration

Solution

  • Added clear instructions and guidance for entry/exit. placement. 

  • Replaced standalone button with a flyout menu accessible from multiple screens.

  • ​Reorganized discover + network sections into a single column for mobile.

Issue

  • Users lacked clarity during profile creation.

  • Difficulty accessing profile update.

  • Layout not adapting well to smaller screens.

Accessibility Considerations

  • Color contrast was tested against WCAG guidelines to ensure readability. 

  • Multiple navigation paths were provided to support user flow flexibility. 

  • Touch target size and interaction elements were sized for ease of use.

Impact & Takeaways

  • Impact:
    The responsive website and app enable users to efficiently connect with other musicians, streamlining networking tasks and saving time compared to traditional platforms.  ï¿¼

  • Peer Feedback:

“I like that it gives the name and a quick profile summary or biography…” — Peer reviewer comment.  ï¿¼

  • What I Learned:
    Designing a responsive site and translating it to an app requires intentional adaptation paths—it’s not automatic. Iterations and usability feedback are essential to refine complexity into clarity.  ï¿¼

  • Next Steps:
    Conduct another round of usability studies to confirm that the latest iterations address the remaining pain points and refine accordingly.

Download the Unison Music Network case study slide deck for a full product walkthrough.

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