In every era, legends studied legends.
Because building on proven patterns is the fastest way to win.

And in the world of DTC, the same rule applies.

Every brand wants more sales.
Every founder wants higher conversions.
But the real winners aren’t just experimenting blindly — they’re learning from the psychology that has worked for decades.

And one psychological lever keeps showing up again and again:

Social proof.

If you want more sales, you need stronger social proof.

Traffic alone doesn’t build trust.
A great product alone doesn’t build confidence.
But when people see others choosing your brand, the hesitation drops instantly.

Social proof does the job of a salesperson in a physical store. It tells your audience:
“Others trust us. You can too.”

And that reassurance directly improves conversions. Every single time.

The Moment I Realized What Was Missing

A few months back, I was auditing the PDP of a fast-growing self-care brand. The traffic was great, the product was strong, but conversions? Flat.

As I went through heatmaps and session recordings, it hit me —

Users weren’t doubting the brand.
They were doubting themselves.

“Is this the right choice?”
“Will this work for me?”
“Do people even buy this?”

And the PDP didn’t answer any of those questions.

No “Best Seller” badge.
No “2,000+ Happy Customers.”
No visible trust indicators.

It was a good product surrounded by silence.

Once we added simple social proof banners around the product name and USPs, engagement instantly changed. Users scrolled deeper. Cart additions went up. The page finally felt alive.

But that was just the beginning.

The New Trend: Real-Time Micro Social Proof Notifications

While browsing a completely unrelated store one night, a small notification popped up at the bottom of my screen:
“A customer from Bengaluru bought this 1 hour ago.”

Ten seconds later — 
“Aarav from Mumbai added this to cart.”

It wasn’t loud.
It wasn’t salesy.
It felt… real.

And without even realizing it, I felt more confident about the product.

That moment clicked something for me.
If traditional social proof builds credibility…
these tiny real-time pop-ups build momentum.

The Rise of Micro Social Proof Notifications

These little notifications have become one of the most powerful conversion-boosting trends for DTC brands:

“Tom from Delhi bought XYZ 2 hours ago.”
“120 people viewed this in the last 24 hours.”
“6 shoppers are looking at this item right now.”

They’re not banners.
They’re not reviews.
They’re not testimonials.

They’re whispers.
And whispers travel faster than you think.

Why They Work (The Psychology Behind It)

Humans are wired for herd behavior.
We feel safer doing what others are already doing.

When someone sees:

“Sold 35 times today”
Their brain hears:
“Other people trust this. You can too.”

These micro-proofs trigger 3 powerful responses:

1. Confidence
If others are buying it, you automatically feel less at risk.

2. FOMO
A subtle urgency — “Should I get it before it sells out?”

3. Momentum
You’re not the first buyer. You’re joining a stream of ongoing purchases.

The result?
More Add-to-Carts.
Higher CVR.
Fewer drop-offs.

And we’ve seen this firsthand.

A Quick Example From a Recent CRO Test

For one of our DTC clients, we tested a time-based purchase notification on the PDP. The hypothesis was simple:

If users see real-time purchasing activity, they’ll feel reassured and convert faster.

And yes — the conversion rate improved.

Not because the product changed.
Not because the design changed.
But because the perception changed.

People trust what feels popular.
People buy what feels active.

The Future: Small Nudges, Big Conversions

The CRO world is full of complicated tools, big redesigns, and massive experiments.

But sometimes, the smallest change makes the biggest difference.

A 2-second notification.
A name.
A city.
A timestamp.

That’s all it takes to shift a hesitant visitor into a confident buyer.

Because at the end of the day, customers simply want to know:

“Are other people like me choosing this too?”

When you answer that question — even through a tiny pop-up — the results speak for themselves.

Final Takeaway

Great DTC brands don’t just focus on traffic or ads.
They build experiences that reassure, validate, and guide users.

Micro social proof is one of the easiest, smartest ways to do that in 2025.

It’s not loud.
It’s not flashy.
But it works — quietly, consistently, and powerfully.

Just like the greats who learned from the greats.
Your brand grows faster when you build on what already works.

“Good design makes things obvious, intuitive, and human.”

At the time, I was knee-deep in CRO — heatmaps, funnels, A/B tests. It felt like numbers and stats. But the deeper I got, the more I realized something:

CRO isn’t separate from UX. CRO is just good UX in action.

The Book That Changed How I See Websites

Norman’s classic examples — like doors that look like they should be pulled but actually need to be pushed — made me rethink how I looked at websites.

Suddenly, CTAs, menus, and checkout forms looked just like those confusing doors.

If design makes people hesitate, it fails.

And CRO gave me a way to test if design was actually intuitive or just looked good on Figma.

The First Time I Saw a Heatmap

The first heatmap I ever opened shocked me.

I thought users would follow the flow we designed. Instead, I saw bright clusters of clicks on random elements, ignored sections we thought were important, and early drop-offs.

It was like holding x-ray glasses for user behavior.

Heatmaps expose what users really do, not what we assume they do.

That was my first big moment: UX can’t live on assumptions, and CRO tools prove that.

Watching Session Recordings

If heatmaps were eye-opening, session recordings were humbling.

I watched users rage-click on broken elements. I saw them hover in hesitation at a form field. I saw them scroll halfway through a page, pause, and leave.

It felt exactly like watching someone struggle with a badly designed door in real life.

In theory, the design was fine. In practice, it was failing. And only the data made that clear.

Why CRO Tools Matter

That’s when I realized: CRO tools aren’t about chasing tiny uplifts.

They’re about making the invisible visible.

• Heatmaps show what people actually notice.
• Scroll maps reveal if your message is even seen.
• Session recordings surface hidden frustrations.
• A/B tests validate what truly works.

CRO validates UX.

My Takeaway After a Year

A year of tests and tools has reshaped how I think.

When I look at a checkout or PDP, I don’t ask, “How do I increase conversions?” anymore.
I ask, “How do I make this journey more obvious, intuitive, and human?”

Because here’s the truth:

When you fix the UX, the conversions follow. CRO just measures it.

That’s why I say CRO isn’t a bag of tricks. It’s just good UX — in action, with proof.

Sure, on paper they look like different fields — CRO is about numbers and A/B tests, and UX is about design and usability. But in reality? They’re like two best friends who can’t really function without each other.

People often split them up: UX is “making things easy and beautiful,” CRO is “running A/B tests and getting more sales.” But when you’re in the trenches with real brands, you see how tightly they’re connected.

Let me share a few stories from my own projects that made this super clear.

The Button That Changed Everything

One of the first A/B tests I ran was for a fashion brand. The Add to Cart button on mobile was this sad, low-contrast rectangle buried in the design.

We made it bolder and easier to spot. That’s it.

And the result? Conversions went up.

I remember laughing because it felt so obvious — like, of course people weren’t clicking before. But that’s the point: CRO wasn’t about some fancy growth hack. It was just fixing a basic UX issue.

The Size Wearing Example

Another time, for a clothing brand, we added a tiny line under the size selector:
“Model is 5’7 and wearing a Medium.”

It sounds like such a small detail, right? But suddenly, people were engaging more. They could imagine the product on themselves better. That one sentence made the shopping experience feel more human, and as a bonus, it lifted conversions.

That’s when I realized CRO and UX aren’t two different jobs. They’re one conversation with the customer.

Heatmaps Don’t Lie

I love heatmaps because they tell you what users actually do instead of what you think they do.

On one product page, the main value props were hidden way too low. People weren’t scrolling far enough to see them. Once we moved them up — bold, clear, and easy to notice — users paid attention.

Engagement went up, clicks went up. Again: classic UX problem solved, CRO win achieved.

Checkout Headaches

Checkout is where UX and CRO collide the hardest.

I’ve seen brands lose customers simply because forms were too long or looked sketchy. In one case, simplifying the fields and adding a few trust signals (like badges and reassurances) made the difference.

Sometimes the biggest conversion killers aren’t “marketing problems.” They’re UX frustrations.

My Big Takeaway

After a year of running A/B tests, doing audits, and writing hypotheses, here’s what I’ve learned:

The best CRO is just good UX that’s been tested and measured.

You don’t need sneaky tricks. You don’t need to overwhelm people with pop-ups. You just need to make the experience smooth, clear, and trustworthy — and then optimize based on data.

Final Thought

If you’re a brand owner or designer wondering whether you should focus on UX or CRO… my answer is: don’t choose.

Because when UX meets CRO, you don’t just get a site that looks nice or converts well.
You get a site that feels effortless to use and makes people want to come back.

And honestly, that’s the whole point.

In the era of remote work, the need for comfortable and adaptable home office solutions has never been greater. The ExtendAngle Table is designed to meet this need, offering a versatile workspace that enhances comfort and productivity for those working from home.

As part of the Growth School UX Acceleration Program, we set out to solve a common problem: the lack of ergonomic and flexible furniture for Living room. The ExtendAngle Table features an adjustable slope and extendable legs, allowing users to customize their workspace to fit their needs perfectly. But before diving in, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to UX Anudeep , whose unwavering encouragement has been invaluable.

This case study delves into the creation of the ExtendAngle Table, from identifying user pain points to developing a solution that transforms the working from living room experience. Discover how innovative design can bring comfort and efficiency to your daily routine.

Let’s look at the ExtendAngle Table that I have designed.

The ExtendAngle Table is designed with two key features: extendable legs and an adjustable slope tabletop. These features provide customizable support, reducing strain on your neck and back, and enhancing productivity wherever you work.

Extendable Legs

The extendable legs allow users to adjust the table’s height to their preferred level. This customization caters to various seating arrangements and ergonomic needs, promoting better posture during laptop use.

• Customizable Height: Users can set the table to the perfect height, whether sitting on a couch, chair, or floor.
• Ergonomic Benefits: By aligning the table height with the user’s natural posture, it reduces strain on the neck and back, ensuring long-term comfort during extended work sessions.

Adjustable Slope Tabletop

The adjustable slope tabletop provides users with the flexibility to tilt their laptop screen to multiple angles. This feature minimizes glare and reduces eye strain, allowing for a comfortable viewing position.

• Multiple Angles: Users can select from various angles to find the most comfortable and productive position.
• Reduced Eye Strain: The ability to adjust the slope ensures that users can minimize glare and maintain a clear view of their screen, enhancing focus and productivity.

User Experience Journey

Scenario 1: Comfortable Remote Work table

• Setup: The user sets the table height to match their chair, ensuring their arms are at a comfortable angle for typing.
• Usage: The tabletop is tilted slightly to reduce neck strain while viewing the laptop screen.
• Benefit: Enhanced comfort and reduced physical strain during long work hours.

Scenario 2: Comfortable center table usage

• Setup: The table is adjusted to a lower height with stable slope.
• Usage: The user can put cups or books on the table and watch TV or have a converation with people etc.
• Benefit: Improved comfort and can be used in multiple ways.

Let us look at the core problem because of which I designed an ExtendAngle Table.

Identifying the Problem

In today’s world, remote work has become a staple for many individuals, making the need for comfortable and adaptable home office solutions more critical than ever. Traditional furniture often falls short in providing the necessary support and flexibility for prolonged laptop use, leading to discomfort and decreased productivity. The ExtendAngle Table was created to address these specific issues by offering a customizable and ergonomic solution.

Problems Addressed by the ExtendAngle Table

1. Lack of Ergonomic Support

• Problem: Standard tables do not cater to various seating arrangements and ergonomic needs, resulting in poor posture and physical strain.
• Solution: The extendable legs of the ExtendAngle Table allow users to adjust the height to their preferred level, promoting better posture and reducing neck and back strain.

2. Inflexible Viewing Angles

• Problem: Fixed-angle tables do not accommodate different viewing preferences, causing glare and eye strain.
• Solution: The adjustable slope tabletop offers the flexibility to tilt the laptop screen to multiple angles, minimizing glare and ensuring a comfortable viewing position.

3. Decreased Productivity and Comfort

• Problem: Discomfort from improper ergonomics and viewing angles can lead to decreased focus and productivity.
• Solution: By providing customizable support and optimal viewing angles, the ExtendAngle Table enhances overall comfort and productivity.

User Journey and Experience

User Profile: Remote workers, students, freelancers, and anyone who uses a laptop for extended periods.

1. Initial Setup

• User Action: Adjusts the height of the ExtendAngle Table to match their seating arrangement.
• Experience: Achieves an ergonomic posture, reducing neck and back strain.

2. Working Session

• User Action: Tilts the tabletop to minimize screen glare and optimize the viewing angle.
• Experience: Maintains a comfortable and productive work environment with reduced eye strain.

3. Long-Term Use

• User Action: Continues to adjust the table as needed for different tasks and seating positions.
• Experience: Enjoys sustained comfort and enhanced productivity over prolonged periods.

Importance of Solving This Problem

Addressing the ergonomic and comfort issues associated with prolonged laptop use is crucial for several reasons:

• Health Benefits: Proper ergonomics reduce the risk of musculoskeletal problems, neck, and back pain.
• Productivity Enhancement: A comfortable work setup boosts focus and efficiency, leading to better work output.
• User Satisfaction: Providing a solution that adapts to user needs improves overall satisfaction and well-being.

By solving these core problems, the ExtendAngle Table not only improves the working from home experience but also supports the health and productivity of its users, making it a valuable addition to any living space.

Look at my journey from identifying the problems in a living room to designing a Extendable and adjustable table.

Step 1: Identifying the Problems

The journey began with an objective to create a product that enhances the Living room experience. To understand the pain points of users, I crafted an interview questionnaire focusing on their experiences and challenges with current Living room setups. Key questions included:

• How much time do you spend in your living room and What purpose is it most used for?
• Is it comfortable for you to work at your living room for long period of time?
• How often do you take break while working from your living room and what you do?

Step 2: Empathizing with Users

By conducting in-depth interviews with remote workers, students, and freelancers, I empathized with their struggles. Common issues included:

• Physical discomfort due to poor ergonomics.
• Eye strain from screen glare.
• Inflexible workspace setups that hindered productivity.

Step 3: Transforming Insights into Root Problems

The insights from these interviews revealed two primary problems:

1. Lack of adjustable height options leading to poor posture and physical strain.
2. Inflexible screen angles causing glare and eye strain.

Additional problems noted included limited workspace and lack of portability, but they were secondary to the ergonomic and viewing angle issues.

Step 4: Prioritizing the Core Problem

Given the feedback, I prioritized addressing ergonomic support and flexible viewing angles. This decision was based on the frequency and intensity of user complaints about physical discomfort and productivity hindrances.

Step 5: Defining the Core Problem

The core problem was clearly defined: Users need a customizable workspace that reduces physical strain and enhances viewing comfort to improve productivity during prolonged laptop use.

Step 6: Ideation and Solution Development

I brainstormed several ideas, including supporting cushions and lap table. However, I focused on a table with extendable legs and an adjustable slope as it directly addressed the core problems.

Step 7: Creating the Prototype

The initial prototype featured:

• Extendable legs for adjustable height.

User feedback on the prototype emphasized the need for easy adjustment mechanisms and sturdy construction.

Step 8: Iteration and Improvement

Based on feedback, I refined the design:

• Enhanced the stability of the extendable legs.
• Adjustable slope tabletop for flexible viewing angles.
• Added additional angle options for better customization.

Final Solution

The final prototype of the ExtendAngle Table successfully integrated user feedback, resulting in a versatile, ergonomic table that:

• Reduces physical strain by allowing height adjustments.
• Enhances viewing comfort through multiple tabletop angles.

Conclusion

This journey from identifying user problems to creating a functional prototype highlights the importance of user-centric design. By prioritizing ergonomic and viewing comfort, the ExtendAngle Table offers a practical solution for remote workers, enhancing their productivity and overall well-being.

Here are some of the important decisions that I took during the course of the project.

In this case study, I focus on critical decisions rather than a linear narrative to highlight the key choices that shaped the **ExtendAngle Table**. This approach shows how each decision directly addressed user pain points and led to the final solution, providing a clear and impactful understanding of the design process and its outcomes.

Here is why I changed my interview questionnaire 3 times when I interviewed users

During this stage, a crucial decision was made to carefully design the user interview process. This involved creating a detailed questionnaire to gather relevant data about users’ home office experiences.

Story of the Decision

1. Preparing the Initial Questionnaire

• Activity: Drafted questions focusing on their living room usage: work routines, ergonomic issues, and desired features.
• Outcome: Structured interviews to cover all critical aspects.

2. Conducting Initial Interviews

• Activity: Noticed repetitive answers and lack of detail.
• Adjustment: Revised the questionnaire for more open-ended questions.

4. Iterating the Questionnaire

• Iteration: Added questions like, “Is it comfortable for you to work at your living room for long period of time? and How often do you take break while working from your living room and what you do?”
• Result: Obtained richer, more detailed responses.

Iterative Critical Decision: “I initially drafted a structured questionnaire. Then I iterated to include more open-ended questions because initial interviews lacked detail.”

5. Addressing Biases

• Bias Recognition: Noted bias towards people who has a specific home office.
• Mitigation: Included users with no home office inbuilt.

6. Evolving Understanding of Users

• Initial Insight: Identified general discomfort from non-adjustable furniture.
• Evolved Insight: Users valued flexibility for different tasks.

7. Finalizing the Core Problem

• Decision: Focused on ergonomic support and flexible viewing angles.
• Outcome: Clearly defined the core problem to guide the design process.

Through a structured and iterative approach during the empathize stage, I gathered key insights that shaped the development of the ExtendAngle Table, ensuring it effectively addressed the most significant user pain points.

Here is why I accurately identify and articulate the core problem based on user insights gathered during the empathize stage.

In this stage, it was crucial to accurately identify and articulate the core problem based on user insights gathered during the empathize stage.

During this process, I began by analyzing data from user interviews to identify common themes, which highlighted key issues such as ergonomic discomfort while working from sofas. I then compiled and categorized these problems, prioritizing those most frequently mentioned and impactful, focusing on ergonomic support and adjustable viewing angles. Various problem statements were considered, like “Users need a more comfortable workspace” and “Users struggle with small height tables,” but I ultimately chose a specific and actionable statement: “Users need a customizable workspace that reduces physical strain and enhances viewing comfort.” This iterative critical decision refined the problem from general discomfort to focusing on ergonomic support and flexible viewing angles based on user feedback. Ensuring the problem statement was clear and actionable, I concentrated on specific, solvable issues. Finally, I validated the core problem by cross-checking the statement with additional user feedback, confirming it accurately reflected user needs.

By clearly defining the core problem, I ensured the design of the ExtendAngle Table would address the most significant user pain points, enhancing comfort and productivity during prolonged laptop use.

Here is why I develop ExtendAngle Table that would offer practical and impactful solutions for users.

During this stage, the crucial decision was to explore and develop innovative solutions for the defined core problem of enhancing user comfort and productivity with the ExtendAngle Table.

To create the ExtendAngle Table, I brainstormed diverse design concepts, including adjustable legs and tilt-able tabletops, and narrowed down to practical solutions addressing ergonomic needs and viewing comfort. Initially, I explored various design ideas, but refined the concepts to focus on adjustable legs and tilt-able tabletops as they effectively addressed user needs while being feasible to implement. I developed low-fidelity prototypes to visualize and test functionality, iteratively refining them based on user feedback to ensure alignment with user needs. I then sought feedback from users, incorporating it to enhance usability and functionality. Finally, I evaluated the refined prototypes and selected the final design, which incorporated adjustable legs and tilt-able tabletops for optimal comfort and usability. Through innovative ideation and prototyping, the ExtendAngle Table was developed to offer practical solutions that directly addressed user needs, ensuring enhanced comfort and productivity.

Here is why I refine prototypes based on user feedback and prepare them for comprehensive user testing.

In this stage, it was crucial to refine prototypes based on user feedback for comprehensive testing, ensuring they effectively addressed user needs.

During this stage, I iteratively refined designs based on user feedback to ensure they closely aligned with user needs and preferences. I prepared prototypes for comprehensive usability testing, designing scenarios to evaluate functionality and user experience, which provided valuable insights for further refinement. By analyzing feedback, I improved the prototypes’ functionality and usability. This iterative process continued until the prototypes were finalized and ready for validation, ensuring the ExtendAngle Table offered an optimized user experience that effectively addressed user needs.

By refining prototypes based on user feedback and testing in the Prototype stage, the ExtendAngle Table was developed to offer an optimized user experience, addressing user needs effectively.

Here is how I validate prototypes with stakeholders to ensure alignment with project goals.

In this stage, it was vital to validate prototypes with users to ensure alignment with project goals.

To prepare for validation, I scheduled sessions to present prototypes to group members, ensuring they were well-informed. During these presentations, I gathered valuable feedback which I then analyzed and prioritized to make final adjustments to the prototypes. Finally, I presented the refined prototypes for approval.

Validating prototypes with members ensured the ExtendAngle Table met project goals, paving the way for successful production.

Future scope of the project

In reflecting on the ExtendAngle Table project, there are several areas where additional time would allow for further refinement and enhancement of the product:

1. Addressing Time Constraints:

• With more time, deeper user testing and refinement of design details would be prioritized to ensure optimal user experience.

2. Changes and Improvements:

• Focus on enhancing aesthetic of the table that will look even better in the living room.

These enhancements would further optimize the ExtendAngle Table’s functionality and value, making it even more versatile and beneficial for users in various contexts.

Let us see what all I learnt while working on the project

Through the ExtendAngle Table project, I gleaned essential lessons that will shape my approach to future endeavors:

1. Iterative Design Approach:
Embracing iterative design processes proved crucial in refining the product concept and addressing user feedback effectively. Iterating on prototypes allowed for continual improvement and adaptation to evolving user needs.

2. User-Centered Design Principles:
Prioritizing user needs and preferences throughout the design process was paramount. Actively seeking and incorporating user feedback led to a deeper understanding of user behaviors and preferences, resulting in a more user-centric design.

3. Resilience in Problem Solving:
Overcoming challenges, such as technical constraints and time limitations, reinforced the importance of resilience and adaptability in problem-solving. Perseverance and a willingness to experiment and iterate were key in finding creative solutions to complex problems.

These learnings have equipped me with valuable insights and strategies that will inform my approach to future projects, ensuring impactful solutions that meet user needs effectively.

I’m eager to hear your thoughts and suggestions to enhance this project further

I’d appreciate feedback on the usability of the ExtendAngle Table’s design in enhancing user comfort and productivity, detailed in the “Product Design” section. Also I’m seeking input on the effectiveness of the iterative design process described throughout the case study.

Lastly, your thoughts on the proposed future scope and the insights shared in the learning reflection would be invaluable. Please share your feedback in the comments section of the Medium or LinkedIn post. Your input will help shape the future direction of this project. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Just as the haunting lyrics of “Hotel California” evoke a sense of mystery and allure, our design approach aimed to capture the essence of the song’s narrative within the digital confines of a booking platform. This project presented a unique challenge — to blend the timeless spirit of the Eagles’ masterpiece with the seamless functionality required for a modern hotel reservation system.

Objective

The main objective of the task is to design a coupon modal for the booking page of Hotel California, inspired by the song “Hotel California” by Eagles. The modal should be visually appealing, user-friendly, and effectively communicate the redemption process to users. The primary goal of this project is to conceptualise and implement a visually striking and user-friendly coupon modal for the booking page of Hotel California.

Design System

Typography: By utilizing bold fonts like Commissioner and Condiment, the booking page can make a bold statement and create visual impact. Commissioner is a refined, confident font that signifies a sense of authority and professionalism. On the other hand, Condiment adds a touch of uniqueness and adds to the overall aesthetic of the page. Furthermore, the choice of using the font Inter balances the boldness of Commissioner and Condiment. Its clean and professional appearance ensures that the content remains easy to read and understand, enhancing the overall user experience on the booking page.

Color Palette: The dark colors, such as the deep brown #31281F shade and the subdued blueish #DDDDDD shade, are chosen to evoke a sense of mystery, sophistication, and elegance.

Conceptualization

A brainstorming session led to the identification of key elements from the song that could be translated into design features. When conceptualizing the theme of the song “Hotel California” by Eagles, several key elements can be considered to capture its essence:

Mysterious Ambiance: The Hotel California is often associated with mystery and intrigue. Build the theme around an air of enigma, with elements such as bold fonts, dark colors, etc. This can create a sense of curiosity and intrigue for the visitors.

Symbolic Imagery: Incorporate symbolic imagery that represents the story and themes of the song. This could include imagery of a mension. This can evoke a sense of longing, escapism, and the lure of the unknown.

Dualities: The song explores the idea of contrasting dualities, such as freedom and imprisonment, pleasure and darkness. Incorporate lyric of the songs and using words like HEAVEN as a coupon code but Master Chamber with mirrors on the ceiling as the room.

Symbolic Colors: Choose colors that reflect the mood and themes of the song. #31281F and #DDDDD align with the lyrics of the song, which explore the dark and enigmatic nature of the hotel. They help to convey the idea of entering a world that is different from everyday life, captivating visitors and piquing their curiosity.

Typography: Utilize fonts that evoke a sense of sophistication, elegance, or even a touch of nostalgia. Bold fonts, help to highlight important information and create a striking visual impact, capturing the intensity and allure of the hotel. It creates a sense of urgency and grabs the attention of potential customers, drawing them in to explore what the hotel has to offer.

Remember, the key is to create an immersive experience that aligns with the emotions and themes of the song, capturing the essence of “Hotel California” in a visual and symbolic way.

Research and Inspiration

The mystique and allure conveyed in “Hotel California” served as the foundation for our design inspiration. The goal was to evoke a sense of nostalgia and captivate users, making their journey through the booking process as memorable as the song itself.

Using dark colors and bold fonts in the Hotel California booking page, inspired by the song by Eagles, is a deliberate choice to create a visual representation that reflects the dark and mysterious themes explored in the song. The dark colors, such as deep blues or blacks, evoke a sense of intrigue and mystery, capturing the enigmatic nature of the hotel described in the lyrics.

In essence, the use of dark colors and bold fonts helps to immerse visitors in the ambiance and atmosphere of the Hotel California, creating an evocative connection to the song and enhancing the overall experience of the booking page.

Wireframing

Wireframes were created to outline the structure and layout of the booking page and coupon modal, considering user flow and ease of navigation. I started making rough wireframe sketches. Tried out a couple of options until I was satisfied and go ahead with this one.

Prototyping

Prototypes were developed to test the modal’s functionality, ensuring a seamless experience for users navigating through the coupon redemption process.

By clicking on the booking page, the coupon modal will appear on the screen with the details about the offer and the redemption process.

In the pursuit of a seamless and user-friendly experience across various devices, the responsive design for Hotel California’s booking page and coupon modal emphasizes adaptability to different screen sizes without compromising on aesthetics or functionality.

Link to Figma prototype :

https://www.figma.com/proto/iGTROUS8WuFlFYkTXiwKph/Hotel-California?type=design&node-id=27-203&t=uvmxcDHgxl29iToY-1&scaling=scale-down&page-id=0%3A1

Conclusion

I am able to successfully translate the essence of “Hotel California” into a captivating coupon modal. The result is an aesthetically pleasing, user-friendly design that not only enhances the overall booking experience but also serves as a visual ode to the timeless allure of the Eagles’ classic. This case study sheds light on the strategic decisions, creative processes, and iterative testing that collectively shaped the final design, harmonizing the spirit of the song with the functionality of the booking interface.

And that is it! Glad you made it here.

Have a comment? Hit me up on Linkedin!

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to UX Anudeep, whose unwavering encouragement and belief in the idea that design is a perpetual evolution — never truly bad nor definitively perfect — propelled me to undertake this project with enthusiasm and dedication. Let’s delve into the exciting journey of evaluating and redesigning Spotify, guided by heuristic principles and the spirit of continual growth.

Introduction

In today’s digital age, streaming platforms have become integral parts of our lives, offering us access to a vast world of music and podcasts. Spotify, one of the pioneers in this field, has continually evolved to provide an immersive audio experience. While Spotify has excelled in numerous aspects of user experience (UX), there is one noticeable absence — the ability for users to review and share opinions on podcasts.

Podcasts have become a staple for information, entertainment, and education, with millions of episodes available on Spotify’s platform. Yet, despite its robust music review and rating system, Spotify currently lacks a dedicated feature for users to express their thoughts and opinions on podcasts. This missing element poses both a challenge and an opportunity for Spotify to enhance its user experience and foster a more engaged podcasting community.

This UX case study aims to explore the implications of this absence, investigate the potential benefits of adding a podcast review feature, and propose a design solution to integrate this functionality seamlessly into the Spotify app. By addressing this gap, Spotify can empower its users to contribute to a more informed and dynamic podcast listening community while also gaining valuable insights into user preferences and content quality.

Problems identified through heuristics

Challenges-

1. Limited Listener Interaction: Prior to the introduction of the feedback and review section, Spotify’s podcast offerings had limited avenues for direct listener interaction. Creators yearned for more opportunities to connect with their audience.
2. Enhancing Content Quality: Spotify sought to improve podcast content by providing a platform for constructive feedback and reviews. This would enable creators to refine their content and tailor it to audience preferences.
3. Competing for Engagement: In a competitive podcasting landscape, Spotify aimed to differentiate itself by offering a unique feedback and review system that encouraged active participation from both creators and listeners.

Thinking of solutions for the problems identified

Implementation

1. Feedback and Review Integration: Spotify seamlessly integrated a feedback and review section into its podcast interface. Listeners could now leave ratings, reviews, and comments on individual podcast episodes directly through the app.

2. User-Friendly Interface: The design of the feedback and review section was intuitive and user-friendly, ensuring ease of access and navigation for both podcast creators and listeners.

3. Incentivizing Participation: To encourage participation, Spotify introduced features such as upvoting reviews and rewarding active participants with badges or recognition within the app.

4. Creator Engagement: Spotify actively encouraged podcast creators to engage with listener feedback and reviews. Creators received notifications for new comments, and they were prompted to respond, fostering a sense of community and connection.

Creating prototypes

Ideation: Finally, its time to start visualising all the ideas in mind using a pen & paper. I started making rough wireframe sketches. Tried out a couple of options until I was satisfied to go with the one.

Hoping you understand the rough sketches!

Link to Marvel prototype : https://marvelapp.com/prototype/a0b19d3

Link to Figma prototype : https://www.figma.com/file/WmsL7VZKEDjqS3QvW3VG16/Untitled?type=design&node-id=0%3A1&mode=design&t=yG6qikQQ02nfLcSQ-

Usability Testing

After working on the screens, it is now time to test it out with some real users. I chose 2 users to perform the usability testing and got a lot of qualitative insights which are listed below.

Common feedback:

1. Positive User Experience: Participants generally expressed satisfaction with the feature’s ease of use and convenience.
2. Real-time Interaction: The ability to engage with other users.
3. Suggestions for Improvement: Some participants suggested adding the ability to attach images or emojis to comments and reviews to enhance expression.

Conclusion

The usability testing results indicate that Spotify’s addition of a feedback and review section in podcasts has been successful. Participants found it easy to use, efficient, and engaging. The real-time interaction through notifications was particularly well-received. The feedback provided valuable insights and suggestions for minor improvements, such as adding emoji support. Overall, the feature appears to enhance user engagement and satisfaction with podcasts on Spotify.

Future Scope

Narrowed down my project based on the constraints. If given a chance, I would love to explore and expand on the add attachment options and improve the application.

And that is it! Glad you made it here.

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