Mediator: Strategic UX for Complex Ecosystems

I designed a mobile application that bridges the gap between music streaming and social networking. By conducting competitor research and building a scalable design system, I created a product that helps users discover new tracks through community interaction while giving independent artists a platform to share their work.

The goal was to create a music discovery app with a strong social media component. Most platforms keep listening as a solitary experience, but this app focuses on connecting music lovers. Additionally, the platform includes a dedicated "Artist Side" to provide creators with a unified space for both listening to inspiration and sharing their own personal tracks.

This step included a deep dive into competitor benchmarking. I analyzed main features and user reviews to identify the gap between user expectations and currently available products.

Based on this research, I decided to implement a Freemium model. This allows users to explore the core experience before subscribing to access premium features. The application architecture was built around four primary pillars: Home, Browse, Library, and Community.

The Home Screen: I used a simple tab system at the top so users can quickly switch between new music, top charts, and social updates from the community.

Making Playlists: I designed a step by step process for users to create playlists, find songs, and add artists. My goal was to make organizing a music library feel fast and easy.

The Artist Dashboard: This is a special area for creators to see their "stats," such as how many people are listening on different platforms. It also includes a section to manage their team and invite collaborators.

Subscription Plans: I created clear pages for "Mediator Pro" that show users exactly what they get when they upgrade, such as personalized recommendations and early access to new music.

Community Feed: This section is a social space where users can see what their friends are listening to and follow new artists they might like.

The final output included a comprehensive product concept. I developed the core wireframes, a polished UI for key screens, and an interactive prototype that demonstrates the main user flows. To support a future launch, I also established a foundational design system and a landing page concept.

The design work clarified the product vision and provided a library of reusable assets. These assets are designed to significantly accelerate the development process if the project moves into production.

The final design successfully clarified the product vision and delivered the following outcomes:

Market-Ready Logic: The project successfully integrated business goals, such as the Freemium monetization model, without compromising the user experience.

Development Readiness: By building a scalable design system and reusable UI components, I created a foundation that will significantly accelerate the development phase.

User-Centered Strategy: The final feature set directly addresses the research findings, translating user frustrations with existing apps into functional social features.

Ecosystem Balance: The work provides a seamless experience for two distinct user types, balancing the needs of general listeners with the promotional tools required by independent artists.

End-to-End Delivery: The project resulted in a complete set of assets, from initial research and wireframes to an interactive prototype and marketing landing page.