Helping Artists Find the Perfect Beat

Overview

Offtop is a beat-sharing platform where musicians organize and share their music files with collaborators. It serves as a hub for producers to upload, store, and distribute beats, while connecting artists searching for their next perfect sound.

Offtop is a beat-sharing platform where musicians organize and share their music files with collaborators. It serves as a hub for producers to upload, store, and distribute beats, while connecting artists searching for their next perfect sound.

The Challenge

As Offtop grew, its basic filename-only search system became a major limitation. Without the ability to filter beats by musical attributes users had to manually scroll through countless files, leading to frustration.

As Offtop grew, its basic filename-only search system became a major limitation. Without the ability to filter beats by musical attributes users had to manually scroll through countless files, leading to frustration.

Role

UX design, UI design, research

TimeFRAME

8 Weeks

Platform

Mobile, IOS

Team

Research & Discovery

Data Analysis

Data Analysis

I analyzed platform metrics to identify common patterns in user behavior, examining key indicators that highlight areas for potential improvement in the user experience. The data indicated that there were inefficiencies in the search functionality.

I analyzed platform metrics to identify common patterns in user behavior, examining key indicators that highlight areas for potential improvement in the user experience. The data indicated that there were inefficiencies in the search functionality.

29%

29%

29%

of sessions ended in abandonment

8

8

8

file searches per session

15

15

15

minutes on average spent looking for a beat

Competitor Audit

Competitor Audit

I reviewed 10+ competitor platforms to understand industry standards for categorization and filtering.

I reviewed 10+ competitor platforms to understand industry standards for categorization and filtering.

Key Insights

Difficulty Organizing

Users were overwhelmed by an unstructured library and struggled to manage beats effectively.

Difficulty Organizing

Lack of Specificity

The filename-only search system provided minimal context, leaving users frustrated.

Lack of Specificity

Discovery Issues

Discovery Issues

Without an intuitive system, it was hard to find beats that met the each specific user's needs.

QUESTION:

How might we make discovery more satisfying and intuitive for users?

User Flow and Wireframe

We mapped the search journey to identify pain points, then designed wireframes to streamline discovery. By refining filtering, search results, and beat previews, we ensured a faster, more intuitive experience for artists.

Visual Tag System

To improve beat discovery, I led the introduction of a tagging system that featured six key categories that capture the essential attributes of a beat: tempo, key, mood, genre, instruments, and style.

Improved Discovery

Improved Discovery

We made popular beats more accessible by placing them front and center, ensuring artists see top-rated options first. This simple change streamlined discovery and increased engagement.

We made popular beats more accessible by placing them front and center, ensuring artists see top-rated options first. This simple change streamlined discovery and increased engagement.

Search Filters

To ensure an easy and efficient search experience, I helped implement a new filter system that lets users quickly narrow their search using custom-designed modals for each attribute.

Responsive Design

Responsive Design

Responsive design was crucial as musicians frequently switched between desktop for organization and mobile for quick uploads.

Responsive design was crucial as musicians frequently switched between desktop for organization and mobile for quick uploads.

Results

35%

Increase in successful searches

38%

→ 52%

user retention from January to November 2024

4.19

→ 4.78

rating on the App Store

Takeaways

I learned a great deal working on this project as it gave me a chance to have my hands in many different stages of the project and see it through to completion. Balancing user needs with business needs was a key consideration throughout the process.

Next Case Study: LA Parks App

Next Case Study: LA Parks App

Next Case Study: LA Parks App