EDMTrain
Designing a space for EDM enthusiasts to discover events and build communities.
Type
Self-Initiated
Role
UX design, UI design, research
Year
2024
Timeline
3 months
Tools
Figma/Figjam
Overview
Exploring the problem space
One day, I realized that one of my favorite EDM (electronic dance music) artists had come through Boston and I missed their show because I had no idea they were in town!
That sent me on my journey to search the internet to see if there was a way for me to keep up to date with my favorite EDM artists. I found that EDMTrain was THE app that was most recommended by other fans. I was excited to check it out because I'd already been following their Instagram page and wasn't aware they had an app!
The Problem
Disappointing first encounters
Upon initial entry, I was met by a homepage with little UX maturity. Initially disappointed, the designer in me sensed an opportunity to give the app new life.
My thoughts while exploring EDMTrain for the first time
This app may look unappealing but it's a popular tool for the EDM community with the potential to bring more value.
The Solution
EDMTrain with all the features needed to discover events and build community
The redesigned EDMTrain listens to their users and provides them with the improved features needed in order to discover events and connect with the community.
Track your favorite artists and relevant events with the personalized homepage and robust search system.
Information about venue, date, lineup, and ticket links available along with informative reviews to effectively guide user's plans.
Use your profile to network on the forum, make new friends, and ingrain yourself into the community.
Research
Understanding the current problem space
Wanting to get on ground level for users, I interviewed five frequent users of the app to understand their current sentiments around event discovery and EDMTrain. I found much overlap around the frusterations and confusion between users.
"I don't know how to access my saved events. Where the heck is my user profile? I can't find it."
"I'm constantly re-checking information about events, especially festivals. It helps me plan accordingly."
"EDMTrain is cluttered and dated, and honestly that's enough to make me not want to use it."
"I have so many artists I follow, it's hard to keep track when each one's coming to my city."
Which formed some common themes:
🪄
Users are looking for an intuitive, familiar, and modern interface that understands the events they are looking for.
📝
Users need comprehensive and reliable details about events they can consistently refer back to.
🙂↕️
There's a strong desire to continue using EDMTrain, it's just not meeting user's needs and goals effectively.
⭐ The lack of resources make it difficult for users to keep track of their favorite artists and find new events.
Every single person mentioned community
While uncovering themes, I was surprised to notice that each and every person mentioned social activities in one way or another. Despite the obstacles, EDM fans will go out of their way to continue attending events and stay connected with the community. This made me realize how much these individuals really valued each other, even between strangers.
Based on my findings, I set my sights on integrating features that will allow attendees to interact with each other. I sent out a survey asking users which three out of these social features they could imagine themselves using the most in EDMTrain.
Since the community forum and reviews were the most popular, those were the two features I focused on.
⭐ Users always welcome the chance to connect with those in the community before, during, and after events.
These findings leave me wondering...
How might we support users in following their favorite artists, finding new events, and connecting with others?
Ideation
Staying focused on the product vision
I created a set of goals the end product should embody in order to maintain a focused approach towards the final vision.
😄 Empower users through personalization
I want to offer a tailored experience that gives users choices, customization, and flexibility by matching them to their specific preferences and needs.
🧠 Intuitive and familiar
The interface should be simple and straightforward with no surprises. I want to adhere to industry standards so users can navigate the app without second thought.
🤝🏼 Reliable and trustworthy
The experience should go the extra mile to build trust in the product's reliability. I want the usability to delight users into consistently coming back.
Letting the goals lead the brainstorming
With the goals established and at the forefront of my mind, I mapped the key path that gets our users to complete their most prominent tasks with minimal cognitive load.
"I want to discover or find events I like and save them."
Considering the interface
In order to bring the ideas to life, I began loosely sketching some rough solutions that addressed the needs of the user and aligned with the established product vision. This free approach lets me generate diverse concepts that I might otherwise not consider.
Homepage
Discovery categories using horizontal carousels for easy browsing and visual appeal
Search
Opens a list of every event on EDMTrain. Use search and filters to be more specific.
Details Page
Reflect comprehensive and accurate event details users can reference.
User Dashboard
Track recent activity and stay organized on future and previous events.
Lo-fi Testing
Using wireframes to find gaps in usability and functionality
Wanting to make sure users could seamlessly navigate the product, I conducted 5 moderated usability tests with a low fidelity prototype. I wanted to see whether users could intuitively discover, search, and save events.
Iteration One
Wanting to see which search function was more helpful to users, I observed how they interacted with the two search functions.
Search bar at top of page
or
Floating Action Button at bottom of page
✅ Winner (right): Floating Action Button!
The sticky position of the FAB let users search from any point of the discovery page without having to scroll back to the top to access the bar.
Iteration Two
Another issues users brought to my attention are the labels on the detail pages.
🚫 Problem (left): Cognitive overload
I found that users had trouble distinguishing between categories.
✅ Solution (right): Tab system
Organizing separate content by using a tab system to provide better focus.
Designing
Zooming into the hi-fi solutions - did I manage to stick to the product vision?
With the wireframes as a solid foundation, it was time to start amping it up to high-fidelity. I compare my redesign with the current designs to highlight the improvements made through my design process.
Enhanced homepage personalization and targeting
By providing a more personalized events recommendations, users are more likely to attend an event found through EDMTrain.
Users are provided comprehensive event details such ticket sales, lineups, and location. If they like what they see, they can mark events as going or interested.
I expanded the search and filter function enhance the user experience and provide more structured discoverability with a choice to organize by city, date, genre, etc.
The user dashboard efficiently tracks user's personal activity. This way, they can use EDMTrain to stay organized on their future and previous events.
Social Features
Community Forum
Being able to engage with other attendees can motivate individuals to further explore the culture and create hype for upcoming events.
Leaving Reviews
As with any event, there are happenings that cannot be predicted unless having went. Reviews with personal anecdotes can help planners make more informed decisions.
Final Screens
Design System
I retained EDMTrain's original hot pink, as its vibrant, energetic characteristics were unique and fitting of the EDM culture. To maintain a modern and minimal interface with a bold undertone, I incorporated slightly rounded icons and opted for the geometric satoshi font. I also tested the color pairings with each other to check alliance with WCAG guidelines.
Impact
I conducted five usability tests to see how users interacted with the old design vs the new design with the goals of validating the changes I had made on three main points.
✅ Confirmed usability improvements
Users were no longer confused and more confident about navigation, finding their profile, and completing tasks.
⛹🏻♀️ Reducing bounce rates
Users spent more time exploring and engaging with the app now that there were new segments they could explore, such as the forum and reviews.
😄 Users = delighted and satisfied
All participants mentioned the experience was a big improvement, with 3 out of 5 mentioning they liked the visual designs.
Reflections