Buyloops
A new way to discover high quality music samples
Position
UX/UI Designer
Duration
1 year
Company
Buyloops.com
Buyloops.com is a platform where industry-leading music producers discover and purchase high-quality loops and samples. This case study highlights my process of designing their new platform from the ground up, combining intuitive UX with sleek, modern design to create a seamless user experience
The challenge
Buyloops already had a base of email customers, but they aimed to expand their digital business. My challenge was to design their new digital platform from scratch, where producers could find and buy music loops that fit their projects. I therefore started the design process by doing initial research.
Initial research
To learn more about the field I conducted initial interviews with producers who already use similar music loop platforms. I also conducted a service safari and mapped out the existing eco system within the industry of selling and discovering new music loops.
Service safari and eco system mapping insights:
From the social platforms, I found that most sample sellers label their product as “type loops” and that this is a great way for the customer to find and buy the samples that they need. When working on specific projects, many industry producers find their loops on Youtube, as the loop-makers use this platform to market their loops. However, while Wavs and Splice provides an aesthetically pleasing overview and great search functions, they lack a “type loop” search functionality.
Opening: What if we integrate the search functionality and discoverability of “type loops” into buyloops new digital platform?
Designing the platform
The landingpage
Speed and efficiency
From the research I found that the most important cards to have on the landing page was the fresh packs and trending samples. Producers use these two functionalities to find new loops to work with, increasing the likelihood of the samples to be top quality, while also ensuring not many have worked with them before. They have been organized in a hierarchy that allows the producers to easily locate those sections.
Speaking into the customers universe
The type loop section is located in the bottom until further research tests if this section is valuable for the producers. Based on initial research I decided to implement this section, so that the producers could easily find the type of loops that fit their current project. It was also integrated within the search and filter options.
The sample-packs and creator pages
Pack Page
On the packs page the customer can browse and search for packs that fit their current project.
Creator Page
The creator page allows users to follow their favorite loop-makers and get notified when they post new loops and packs. It also showcases which artists they have previously worked for which is a form of quality stamp.
The design process
Unfortunately, this start-up company had to part ways with the founder responsible for building the back-end of the platform. As a result, the platform has not been launched yet. From a design-thinking perspective, this meant I couldn’t reach the evaluation, delivery, or development phases (as shown in the purple part of the picture below) because the design process was cut short.
If this hadn’t happened, my next steps would have been to test the platform with industry producers in two ways. First, I would conduct think-aloud testing sessions followed by interviews to understand their initial thoughts on the user journey. Then, I would refine the design based on their feedback.
Second, I proposed tracking quantitative data to monitor user behaviors, which the founders were excited about. These insights could explore the hypothesis formed during initial UX research: that adding the type loop section and type-loop search functionalities would be valuable for industry producers. It would also inform the overall user experience, allowing me to optimize the user goal of purchasing loops.
Learnings
This job was my first UX designer position. As the sole UX designer on the team, I learned how to create aesthetically pleasing designs in Figma, manage the design process, and conduct UX research with a new user segment. I realized that establishing great working relationships with my team requires openness and humility to quickly change ideas when needed. I also learned to confidently discuss design ideas, that from a design-thinking standpoint, would add value to the company. I am excited to bring these learnings to my next project.
Recommendation from one of the founders
"Having Per Kristian on the team at Buyloops.com has been fantastic!
Per Kristian has demonstrated excellent design skills, particularly in creating user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing interfaces that resonate with our customers.
One of Per Kristian’s most notable traits is his creative approach and analytical problem-solving abilities. This was evident when he came up with the idea for a customized search function, allowing our users to find our products quickly and easily. His ability to understand user needs and translate them into effective design solutions is impressive.
On a personal level, Per Kristian is an excellent team player. He collaborates well with colleagues and has an outstanding ability to communicate complex design concepts clearly and precisely. His dedication and reliability have made him a valued employee who consistently delivers high-quality work on time.
Overall, Per Kristian has significantly contributed to the success of Buyloops.com, and I am confident that he will continue to excel in his future endeavors. I highly recommend Per Kristian to any future employer looking for a talented and dedicated UX/UI designer".
Best regards,
Anders Lunøe
Co-founder of Buyloops.com
Al@buyloops.com
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