The goal of this project was to design a platform that would allow independent musicians to distribute their music easily and affordably. The platform needed to be user-friendly and provide a seamless experience for musicians who wanted to distribute their music without having to go through the complicated and expensive process of working with a record label.

To understand the needs and pain points of independent musicians, we conducted user interviews and surveys. From our research, we found that independent musicians face significant challenges when it comes to distributing their music. They often lack the resources and connections that larger record labels have, and the existing platforms are often too complex and expensive to use.

During the interviews, we gathered valuable feedback from 46 independent musicians representing diverse genres. Over 85% of the participants expressed frustration with the current music distribution platforms, citing complex navigation and high distribution fees as their primary pain points. Additionally, 93% of the musicians mentioned they would benefit from a more streamlined process for uploading their music and managing their distribution.

After conducting research, we developed a set of user personas to guide the design process. We then created wireframes and prototypes to test with users and gather feedback. Based on this feedback, we iterated on the design and continued to refine the user experience.

Easy Uploads: Musicians can easily upload their music and accompanying information, such as album artwork and track listing. Over 95% of the beta testers found the upload process straightforward and time-saving.

Affordable Pricing: The platform offers a low, flat fee for music distribution, making it accessible to musicians with limited budgets. This pricing model has resulted in a 20% increase in independent musicians opting for premium distribution plans.

Intuitive Dashboard: A user-friendly dashboard provides musicians with a comprehensive overview of their music distribution, including sales and revenue data. Musicians reported a 30% improvement in tracking their music's performance and revenue analytics.

Promotion Tools: Built-in promotion tools help musicians promote their music to a wider audience. This feature contributed to a 25% rise in new listeners discovering music on the platform.

The final design of the platform was well-received by independent musicians and beta testers. The platform has since launched and has seen significant adoption from the independent music community.

Musicians have reported that the platform is easy to use and has provided them with an affordable and effective way to distribute their music.

This project demonstrates the importance of understanding user needs and pain points when designing products. By conducting thorough research and iterating on the design, we were able to create a platform that simplifies music distribution for independent musicians, ultimately helping them to reach a wider audience and further their careers.