Spotpod

A platform for podcast enthusiasts to explore, discuss, and celebrate their favorite shows.

First of all, why I want to create this project?

Recently, while walking my dogs, cooking, and even driving, I've found myself increasingly drawn to podcasts. Being new to podcasts, I find that I often spend more time searching for episodes than actually listening to them. Given the rising popularity of podcasts each year, I intend to design a podcast platform that not only aids users in discovering episodes tailored to their preferences but also fosters connections with fellow podcast enthusiasts.

What makes Spotpod different?

  1. Spotpod helps users find episodes that align with their personal preferences, reducing search time.

  2. More than just a listening platform, Spotpod emphasizes creating a community where users can engage in discussions and share their favorite episodes.

  3. Spotpod prioritizes the listener's journey from discovery to discussion.

What I want to achieve

  • Design a podcast app tailored to offer a seamless experience for both regular listeners and newcomers.

  • Establish a community within the app where users can explore and engage in discussions about their favorite shows.

So, how can I identify user needs and pain points?

What are the key insights I aim to extract from the research?

  1. Dive into the podcast industry's landscape, understanding key market trends and audience demographics.

  2. Discover user behaviors and preferences when it comes to discovering podcasts.

  3. Evaluate competitors, identifying areas where they excel and where they could do better in meeting user needs.

  4. Identify the main challenges and frustrations listeners face with existing podcast platforms.

  5. Define the core user personas for the platform, understanding their specific needs and goals.

Exploring the Pulse of the Podcast Industry

Then, how are our competitors performing?

Here's What I Picked Up from the Competitors

Now, let’s get to know the users

Screening Question results

What did the participants say?

What’s the insight? What did I learn?

Who will use our product?

Who exactly are they?

Let’s begin to design, start with the structure

Sketching the vision with low to mid-fidelity wireframes

Gathering feedback to refine the design

Test Scope

The usability test will be testing all scenarios from the Mid-Fidelity Wireframes of the App with 3 participants.

Goals

  1. To test if users can complete the tasks.

  2. Identify the problems and unclear parts participants encounter.

  3. Look for suggestions and improvement.

Methodology

  • Remote usability testing

  • In-person testing

What insights were gathered from the testing?

Let’s look at the final design!

What I learned from this project

Key Takeaways from the Project

  1. Deep Dive into the Audience: Understanding the nuances of user behavior, needs, and preferences is foundational. Gaining deep insights into users, markets, and competitors is not only pivotal for shaping the project but also crucial for uncovering potential opportunities that might have been overlooked.

  2. Value of Market Knowledge: Being well-versed in market trends, shifts, and competitor strategies helps in positioning the product more effectively, ensuring it stands out in a crowded market.

What's Next for Spotpod:

  1. Enhancing User-Podcaster Interaction: It's not just about listening; it's about community. We need to explore innovative ways to foster genuine interactions between users and podcasters. This could be through Q&A sessions, feedback loops, or live discussions.

  2. Engaging the Veteran Listeners: While catering to new podcast listeners is important, there's immense value in drawing in seasoned podcast enthusiasts. They bring experience, deep insights, and can help cultivate a rich community atmosphere. We'll strategize ways to make them feel valued, heard, and engaged.