Redesigning the Audio Player for a Mobile Travel App
As the lead designer on this project, I analyzed user research, ideated early concepts, ran design sprints, presented frequently to leadership, and delivered final assets for production. I worked with a product manager and engineers and presented to executives.
Project Summary
Problem
Users tend to take a long time to find attractions that are mentioned in podcasts in the Cerca app. Users have expressed that this is difficult to do because they have to browse through a long list of attractions. In addition, research has shown that users take a long time to find specific attractions in the map view.
User Problems
Users have difficulty viewing attractions that are mentioned in podcasts
Users have difficulty finding specific attractions on a map
Business Problems
Because users have difficulty finding attractions in the Cerca app:
Users may not view Cerca as a valuable trip planning product
Churn rate may increase
Users may not subscribe to Cerca’s paid plans
Goals
User Goal
Allow users to easily and quickly view attractions that are mentioned in podcast episodes in the app
Business Goals
Because users have difficulty finding attractions in the Cerca app:
Increase the number of users and users signed up for subscribed plans by ensuring that users can quickly view and save attractions that are mentioned in podcasts.
Process
User Research
I analyzed user interviews (5 participants) and found that users:
Meeting with Product Manager and Engineers
I met with the Product Manager and Engineers to identify the highest design priorities, which were:
Due to time and resource constraints, it was not possible to implement an itinerary-building feature in the app at this time (user interviews revealed that users would like to be able to plan trip itineraries in the Cerca app). However, we planned to implement a feature that allows users to save attractions, which will set the groundwork for creating an itinerary-building feature in the future.
I worked with the Product Manager and Engineers to establish a time frame for completing these updated designs, set dates for design reviews to receive feedback and decide how the designs would be validated.
Competitor Analysis
I analyzed some of Cerca's competitors to see how they empower users to view information that is conveyed in podcasts and view attractions in cities.
New Experience
Podcast control bar (bottom): Users can press this quickly to access podcast and attraction details; displays essential podcast information at all times
Consistent Podcast Covers: Helps users understand what podcast they are listening to
Chapter Navigation: Users can easily navigate to specific chapters of a podcast episode by clicking the pink pill
Type-Specific Attraction Icons: Helps users understand what types of attractions are being displayed with a quick look
Attraction Quick View: Gives users the ability to view the details of an icon without having to leave the map screen
Removed Bottom Audio Controls: Allows users to view more attractions at once on map and list views
Usability Testing & Results
After these designs were handed off to engineering and shipped, I conducted usability tests to see if these designs were working as intended. Usability testing showed that:
Users were able to find and view attractions that they heard about in podcasts more quickly
Users easily understood how to save attractions and view their saved attractions
Users were able to use the new small player on the bottom of the screen to easily view details about the podcast they were currently listening to
The small player did not disrupt users' view of the screen
Next Steps
With this new player design launched, we will monitor the number of Cerca's users and subscribers to better understand these new features' effects on user behavior and retention. In addition, we will weigh the benefits of incorporating an itinerary-building feature in the Cerca app against other top feature priorities.