Spots by Spotify
A new feature for Spotify where users can learn more about their local music scene and how it relates globally.
01 Overview
Project Summary
My team and I wanted to help users better understand their local music scene while also promoting smaller artists.
In doing so, we hoped to create a symbiotic relationship between users and artists, addressing an area where Spotify falls short—promoting smaller artists.
But we didn’t want to stop there—we also wanted users to explore the history and influential artists that shaped their local music scene.
With the introduction of the new Spot Hub, users can explore playlists, artists, events, and even discover places around the world with similar music scenes.
Problem
Spotify excels at encouraging users to think globally but falls short in helping them engage locally. While users can find artists from all around the world, it can be difficult to discover smaller, local artists.
Opportunity
Create a new feature for the Spotify mobile app that serves as a user's passport to their local music scene.
02 Product
Features
Locally Curated Playlists
City-ology Playlists – Featuring historical legends from your Spot, these playlists combine iconic artists into one cohesive experience. This gives users an option to not only discover new music but also immerse themselves in their Spot’s culture.
City & Me Playlist – A blend of songs you already love and new discoveries from local artists.
While many other playlists will populate the hub, these two will be featured globally. We felt this would not only serve residents looking to learn more about their local music but also visitors wanting to experience the sounds of the city.
Sister Spots
Sister Spots are weekly rotating features that pair your Spot with another from around the world. Similarities can include geography, shared cultures, musical tastes, and more. This gives users an opportunity to see what Spots from all over have in common with theirs.
Listening Around the World
The final feature allows users to explore other Spots from anywhere in the world. We loved this addition because of the limitless possibilities for users to listen. Taking a trip to London? You might want to check out what music is trending there.
Learnings & Conclusion
I learned a lot from this project. This was my first time working with a well-known, established design system. This made creating the screens equally easy and difficult at the same time. On one hand, I didn’t have to worry about details like fonts, colors, margins, or border radius. However, it was also challenging at times because if the design wasn’t exactly right, it no longer felt like an authentic Spotify feature.
With Spots, users can listen to music from around the world while also learning about their own local music scene. Furthermore, by putting local music events at the forefront of this feature, we aligned with the idea of 'Think globally, act locally.'
