Web Design
Musico: Designing a Home for Music Collaboration
ROLE
UX Designer
EXPERTISE
UX/UI Design
YEAR
2024
Overview
Musico is a desktop platform that helps musicians connect, collaborate, and create music together online. Designed with a strong community focus, the site allows users to discover like-minded artists, join genre-specific groups, and co-create music in shared project spaces—all from their desktop browser
Background
The music industry is fast-paced and competitive, making it difficult for emerging artists to stand out. While digital platforms and social media have opened new doors for global exposure, musicians still struggle to find meaningful connections and collaborate effectively in a crowded online space.
Problem
In a competitive and fast-moving music industry, many talented but undiscovered artists struggle to take the first step toward sharing their work. While digital platforms offer visibility, they often lack the supportive, collaborative environment musicians need to grow. Aspiring artists are not just seeking exposure—they’re searching for a like-minded community that encourages creativity, fosters collaboration, and helps them confidently bring their music to life.
Research Goal
We want to know what services will keep aspiring artists engaged and motivate them to showcase their talent and collaborate with other musicians within the app.
Objectives
Determine what aspiring musician take as their first steps
Learn what features users use the most in music apps
Learn about users' likes and dislikes about collaborating with other users.
Understand how a music app keeps users engaged.
Learn the pain points or struggles in using music apps or websites.
Competitive Analysis
The competitive analysis revealed that while platforms like SoundCloud, BandLab, and Kompoz each offer valuable features—such as global exposure, music creation tools, and structured collaboration—they all lack a seamless blend of community engagement and creative collaboration.
User Interview & Affinity Map
To better understand the challenges musicians face when seeking collaboration and community, I conducted interviews with a diverse group of aspiring artists—from solo producers working out of their bedrooms to vocalists looking for creative partners online.
Participants are
Ages 21-35
Skill levels: beginner to intermediate
Experience collaborating: from none to occasional
Affinity Map
To make sense of the insights gathered from my user interviews, I created an affinity map that helped organize key themes around the musicians' experiences. The categories that emerged—Platform, Convenience, Motivations, Self-discovery, Goals, and Music Recording/Producing Features—paint a vivid picture of their journey.
The affinity map revealed that community and collaboration are key to users' growth, but pain points like technical glitches and limited features often get in the way. These insights emphasized the need for a smoother, more supportive space for musicians to connect and create together.
POV
HMW
User Persona
User Flows
Brand Identity
— COLOR PALETTE
— brand logo
The Musico logo combines an abstract “M” with a vinyl record to represent creativity and collaboration. The flowing form suggests musical connection, while the warm orange accent adds energy and passion. It visually captures Musico’s mission to bring artists together in a harmonious, inspiring space.
— typography
Wireframes
Task #1: The flow is designed to be intuitive, offering a smooth transition from browsing to engaging with other musicians in a focused community space—helping users quickly find collaborators who share their musical interests.
Task #2: The invite modal offers link sharing and a search field to find collaborators. Once invited, the interface updates in real-time to reflect new participants. This flow is essential for encouraging seamless collaboration—one of Musico’s core goals—making it easy for musicians to turn ideas into co-created projects without leaving the platform.
UI Library
UI Design
Usability Testing
Wrap Up
This project was an eye-opening journey into the needs and aspirations of emerging musicians. By focusing on community-building and seamless collaboration, Musico provides a space for artists to connect, create, and grow together. Usability testing revealed the importance of balancing simplicity with clear guidance—especially for first-time users. Moving forward, the insights gained will inform design refinements to ensure Musico remains an intuitive, welcoming platform that empowers musicians to turn their ideas into reality.