UX Case Study: Spotify; Shuffle to Play

Following TechCrunch’s article on the streaming service’s February update, and a close study of Abby Covert’s Information Architecture Heuristics, I present an overview and evaluation of the Spotify app’s UX in the following categories: Communication, User Adoption, Value, and Delight.

Overview

Spotify: a platform that allows users to listen, curate, and discover music and podcasts

Problem statement

The platform’s newest round of updates intend to make the app, according to TechCrunch,

easier to use with one hand, and more visually pleasing and less distracting.

The following evaluation will speak to each of those traits in the process of assessing the app’s overall UX design.

Evaluation

(The following evaluation and scoring method was derived from Abby Covert’s IA Heuristics)

Spotify App Overall Score: 3.4/5

Communication Score: 4

Findable:

(+)There are many ways to search (search bar, suggestions, voice, code scan)

(+) Search is results-driven, presents different versions of a song, related titles and playlists, and allows for immediate engagement (i.e. play song)

(+) The similarities between the desktop app and the mobile app provide continuity and allow for easy transition

Clear:

(+) The triplet nav bar at the bottom of the app keeps organization simple and manageable with one hand

(+) Users are reminded of the core function of the app by the constant presence of the search icon/bar — search for music

( — ) The paradox of choice is introduced as users scroll further down their main dashboard — while contents are categorized, the volume of choices is near paralyzing. Perhaps users should have the ability to accept and reject auto-populated content.

Communicative:

(+) The dark, simplistic design of the app reduces focus on visual engagement, once again reminding users to focus on listening

(+) There is a good use of repetition across the app for commonly used functions — download, “like”, “add to” (via a meatball menu)

( — ) The new shuffle button design (Play + shuffle symbol attached) juxtaposes two functions with different intent, and introduces confusion at first glance.

User Adoption Score: 3.7

Useful:

(+) The “Friend Activity” column on desktop provides a sense of community without intruding upon a personalized listening space.

( — ) While the Spotify app does not need to serve loyal and new users uniquely, there may be a need for customization of the platform for music listeners vs. podcast/other content listeners.

Controllable:

(+ ) Ease of recovery is fairly high when navigating through search and playing music.

( — ) The app does not allow for customization to unique user needs and preferences.

Learnable:

(+) The app is intuitive and built for easy adoption.

Value Score: 4

Credible/Trustworthy:

(+) Since ads are built around a user’s own content curation, they do not feel overtly commercial.

Valuable:

(+) The distinct core value of the app helped it become an indispensable part of life with music.

Accessible:

• The app’s UX does not take users of all accessibility levels into consideration . Along the same vein of per user customization, a simplified, audio-centric “mode” could be a future iteration.

Delight Score: 3

• While the app is well designed, with a good focus on user essentials, it has yet to go beyond expectations in unique experiences and accessibility. Since expectations are met but not exceeded, the aforementioned factors would have to be addressed before Spotify’s UX reaches “extraordinary” levels.

Conclusion

Spotify’s UX, when parred down to its core functions and features, is straightforward and focused. As the platform continues to evolve, there is an opportunity in allowing users to customize their content experience, which would address the organizational concerns coming into play as podcasts and other audio content are introduced to the platform, as well as the inclusivity conversations that are starting to permeate the design space.

Want to learn more?

If you’d like to become an expert in UX Design, Design Thinking, UI Design, or another related design topic, then consider to take an online UX course from the Interaction Design Foundation. For example, Design Thinking, Become a UX Designer from Scratch, Conducting Usability Testing or User Research — Methods and Best Practices. Good luck on your learning journey!