Gaining Skills through the Google UX Certification Program
Gaining Skills through the Google UX Certification Program
Gaining Skills through the Google UX Certification Program
Progress as a Student from Courses 1-7
Progress as a Student from Courses 1-7
Progress as a Student from Courses 1-7
OVERVIEW
In the Foundations of UX Design Course with Google and Coursera, we had the opportunity to create a UX design project focused on individual ideas. My project was based on creating an app for two users: music bands and music fans. This way, music bands can sell their merchandise on the app and connect more with their fans and listeners.
In the Foundations of UX Design Course with Google and Coursera, we had the opportunity to create a UX design project focused on individual ideas. My project was based on creating an app for two users: music bands and music fans. This way, music bands can sell their merchandise on the app and connect more with their fans and listeners.
Upcoming projects of the program include a website and another mobile-app! Check out the case study below, which includes all the details of the first project so far!
Upcoming projects of the program include a website and another mobile-app! Check out the case study below, which includes all the details of the first project so far!
ROLE & DURATION
UX Design Student
As a student, I learned and implemented new skills through applications of UX research, the design process, wireframes and prototype creation, user-testing, and the foundations of UX concepts, such as user-centered design, accessibility, and equity-focused design.
Duration
3 months
PROJECT #1 PROMPT:
Design a concert merchandise app for a rock band
Design a concert merchandise app for a rock band
PROJECT OVERVIEW
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Product:
Product:
Mobile app to streamline process of purchasing and selling concert merchandise
Mobile app to streamline process of purchasing and selling concert merchandise
Role and duration:
Role and duration:
UX designer and researcher, 3 months
UX designer and researcher, 3 months
Tools:
Tools:
Figma, Adobe XD
Figma, Adobe XD
Problem:
Problem:
Purchasing merchandise at concerts can be stressful and inconvenient, whether it’s having to arrive to the concert early, waiting in long lines, missing part of the show, or being unable to purchase sold out merch. As a result, there’s a disconnect between music listeners and the bands.
Purchasing merchandise at concerts can be stressful and inconvenient, whether it’s having to arrive to the concert early, waiting in long lines, missing part of the show, or being unable to purchase sold out merch. As a result, there’s a disconnect between music listeners and the bands.
Goals:
Goals:
To design an intuitive app for users to purchase merch and for bands to sell merchandise easily and effectively
To ensure the app improve users’ concert experience and allow them to connect with the bands and bring home a concert souvenir
To design an intuitive app for users to purchase merch and for bands to sell merchandise easily and effectively
To ensure the app improve users’ concert experience and allow them to connect with the bands and bring home a concert souvenir
RESEARCH INSIGHTS: COMPETITIVE AUDIT
RESEARCH INSIGHTS:
COMPETITIVE AUDIT
Today's app marketplace presents a shortage of concert merchandise apps. Looking into apps that offer a similar shopping experience - whether for merchandise or concert tickets - a competitive analysis was performed to learn more about how these apps handle the main frustrations that users experience: stressful purchasing experience and lack of connection between buyers and sellers. Below is a summary of how four of today's shopping and event ticket apps (Merch Cat, Ticketmaster, Bandsintown, and Shop) handle alleviating the ordering process and encouraging buyer-to-seller connection.
Today's app marketplace presents a shortage of concert merchandise apps. Looking into apps that offer a similar shopping experience - whether for merchandise or concert tickets - a competitive analysis was performed to learn more about how these apps handle the main frustrations that users experience: stressful purchasing experience and lack of connection between buyers and sellers. Below is a summary of how four of today's shopping and event ticket apps (Merch Cat, Ticketmaster, Bandsintown, and Shop) handle alleviating the ordering process and encouraging buyer-to-seller connection.
Merch Cat (Direct)
Ease / Speed of ordering and selling
Purchasing merchandise is simple, with ship to home and show pickup.
Users can browse upcoming shows (some shows are imported from Bandsintown) and merchandise in one place.
A separate app is needed for artists to sell their tickets, manage inventory, and track metrics.
Purchasing merchandise is simple, with ship to home and show pickup.
Users can browse upcoming shows (some shows are imported from Bandsintown) and merchandise in one place.
A separate app is needed for artists to sell their tickets, manage inventory, and track metrics.
Connection between buyer and seller
Users can purchase merchandise directly from music artists, with ship to home and show pickup.
Fans who can’t wait in line, don’t want to carry merch, are undecided, or change their mind after they’ve left the venue can use the app so they can be more connected to the artist at the concert.
Users can purchase merchandise directly from music artists, with ship to home and show pickup.
Fans who can’t wait in line, don’t want to carry merch, are undecided, or change their mind after they’ve left the venue can use the app so they can be more connected to the artist at the concert.
Key Insights
Show pick-up is a nice feature offered to fans who want to be more present at concerts and avoid the stress of lines.
Combining the two separate apps (Merch Cat App and Merch Cat Fan) would help to keep everything in one place.
Show pick-up is a nice feature offered to fans who want to be more present at concerts and avoid the stress of lines.
Combining the two separate apps (Merch Cat App and Merch Cat Fan) would help to keep everything in one place.
Ticketmaster (Indirect)
Ease / Speed of ordering and selling
Some but not all concert tickets can be purchased within the app, and if not, users are taken to separate site (Live Nation) to buy tickets (Live Nation redirects users to Ticketmaster for the same reason, which results in an inconsistent purchasing process).
Users can re-sell tickets they previously purchased with the help of the app managing the entire transaction and no added fees.
Some but not all concert tickets can be purchased within the app, and if not, users are taken to separate site (Live Nation) to buy tickets (Live Nation redirects users to Ticketmaster for the same reason, which results in an inconsistent purchasing process).
Users can re-sell tickets they previously purchased with the help of the app managing the entire transaction and no added fees.
Connection between buyer and seller
Users can list and sell tickets they purchased on the app.
Includes reviews section and "fans also viewed" section
Users can list and sell tickets they purchased on the app.
Includes reviews section and "fans also viewed" section
Key Insights
Having two separate apps under the same company seems counterintuitive when users have to flip back and forth between the two regardless of which app they start with.
Having the app help users re-sell their tickets "hassle-free" is a nice feature to have in case plans change and users can't attend the event(s) anymore.
Having two separate apps under the same company seems counterintuitive when users have to flip back and forth between the two regardless of which app they start with.
Having the app help users re-sell their tickets "hassle-free" is a nice feature to have in case plans change and users can't attend the event(s) anymore.
Bandsintown (Indirect)
Ease / Speed of ordering and selling
Concert tickets cannot be purchased within the app, and users are taken to external sites to buy their tickets.
A separate app is needed for artists and venues to sell their tickets and list upcoming events.
Concert tickets cannot be purchased within the app, and users are taken to external sites to buy their tickets.
A separate app is needed for artists and venues to sell their tickets and list upcoming events.
Connection between buyer and seller
Users can follow their favorite music artists and sign up to receive alerts about tour announcements, concert tickets, and shows near them.
The app includes a reviews section, where music fans can share their concert experiences.
Users can follow their favorite music artists and sign up to receive alerts about tour announcements, concert tickets, and shows near them.
The app includes a reviews section, where music fans can share their concert experiences.
Key Insights
While having external sites integrating with the app is nice, requiring multiple separate services can be frustrating, as each application may need users to input the same information repeatedly.
Known for connecting users to their favorite artists, the app makes good use of personalized recommendations based on users' music tastes (done by syncing users' music from Spotify, Apple Music, etc).
While having external sites integrating with the app is nice, requiring multiple separate services can be frustrating, as each application may need users to input the same information repeatedly.
Known for connecting users to their favorite artists, the app makes good use of personalized recommendations based on users' music tastes (done by syncing users' music from Spotify, Apple Music, etc).
Shop (Indirect)
Ease / Speed of ordering and selling
Items must be added to cart 1-by-1 with a details screen for each (no "quick view" or "quick add").
Provides option to either "add to cart" or "buy now" to expedite purchasing process
Items must be added to cart 1-by-1 with a details screen for each (no "quick view" or "quick add").
Provides option to either "add to cart" or "buy now" to expedite purchasing process
Connection between buyer and seller
Includes a reviews section, which allows connection between users interested in buying the product and those who have purchased the product.
Users can follow brands of their choice to keep up with product updates and discounts from their favorite businesses.
Includes a reviews section, which allows connection between users interested in buying the product and those who have purchased the product.
Users can follow brands of their choice to keep up with product updates and discounts from their favorite businesses.
Key Insights
The "buy now" option is a nice feature for those who want a quicker purchasing process, and adding a "quick view" button to products would help streamline the process even more.
Browsing experience is nice, especially when users can receive updates from their favorite brands and explore related products.
The "buy now" option is a nice feature for those who want a quicker purchasing process, and adding a "quick view" button to products would help streamline the process even more.
Browsing experience is nice, especially when users can receive updates from their favorite brands and explore related products.
UNDERSTANDING THE USER
The main goal of the user research was to identify specific user pain points, the target users being music listeners who want to buy merch and rock bands who want to sell merch. The initial assumptions were that the app needed to be engaging and maintain a low bounce rate. However, after performing research it was found that the app needed to be easy to use. By having a quick and simple browsing and purchasing process, users feel the app is worth using again. Notable app features that users find valuable are the ability to purchase both merchandise and concert tickets, and the option to pick up pre-ordered merchandise at the concert.
1
Pain point:
Lack of merch apps
Pain point:
Lack of merch apps
Pain point:
Lack of merch apps
Users need an app that provides a quick and easy way to purchase merchandise and/or concert tickets. For merchandise pick up, the app needs to offer instructions, an order confirmation QR code, and a concert map.
Users need an app that provides a quick and easy way to purchase merchandise and/or concert tickets. For merchandise pick up, the app needs to offer instructions, an order confirmation QR code, and a concert map.
Users need an app that provides a quick and easy way to purchase merchandise and/or concert tickets. For merchandise pick up, the app needs to offer instructions, an order confirmation QR code, and a concert map.
2
Pain point:
Too complicated
Pain point:
Too complicated
Pain point:
Too complicated
Providing simple navigation with categorized sections, profile options, as well as features that allow users to keep track of their “recently viewed” and “favorites” would help to improve the user experience.
Providing simple navigation with categorized sections, profile options, as well as features that allow users to keep track of their “recently viewed” and “favorites” would help to improve the user experience.
Providing simple navigation with categorized sections, profile options, as well as features that allow users to keep track of their “recently viewed” and “favorites” would help to improve the user experience.
3
Pain point:
Not accessible
Pain point:
Not accessible
Pain point:
Not accessible
The app needs to allow users to adjust their setting preferences, whether that includes dark/light mode, text size adjustments, language options, screen-reader toggle, live captions, voice control, and more.
The app needs to allow users to adjust their setting preferences, whether that includes dark/light mode, text size adjustments, language options, screen-reader toggle, live captions, voice control, and more.
The app needs to allow users to adjust their setting preferences, whether that includes dark/light mode, text size adjustments, language options, screen-reader toggle, live captions, voice control, and more.
4
Pain point:
Needs color
Pain point:
Needs color
Pain point:
Needs color
Having a clear brand for the app helps to guide users through the use of colors and stylistic elements. This makes the app more enjoyable to view and navigate.
Having a clear brand for the app helps to guide users through the use of colors and stylistic elements. This makes the app more enjoyable to view and navigate.
Having a clear brand for the app helps to guide users through the use of colors and stylistic elements. This makes the app more enjoyable to view and navigate.
USER PERSONAS
To better understand how to design for users seeking quick and easy ways to purchase and pick up concert merchandise, user personas were created for each type of user. Below are a couple brief versions of two different types of users: one is a music fan and one is a music artist.
To better understand how to design for users seeking quick and easy ways to purchase and pick up concert merchandise, user personas were created for each type of user. Below are a couple brief versions of two different types of users: one is a music fan and one is a music artist.
User 1: Valeria (Music fan)
User 1: Valeria (Music fan)
User 1: Valeria (Music fan)
Problem statement: Valeria is a graphic designer from Spain who needs access to both her and her daughter’s favorite band merchandise because there are no language options on existing merch apps for Spanish speakers to simplify the purchase process.
Problem statement: Valeria is a graphic designer from Spain who needs access to both her and her daughter’s favorite band merchandise because there are no language options on existing merch apps for Spanish speakers to simplify the purchase process.
Problem statement: Valeria is a graphic designer from Spain who needs access to both her and her daughter’s favorite band merchandise because there are no language options on existing merch apps for Spanish speakers to simplify the purchase process.
User 2: Kai (Music artist)
User 2: Kai (Music artist)
User 2: Kai (Music artist)
Problem statement: Kai is a university student who needs an app to sell merchandise for their local band and order merch for pick-up at concerts because selling and purchasing in separate places can be too time consuming and complicated.
Problem statement: Kai is a university student who needs an app to sell merchandise for their local band and order merch for pick-up at concerts because selling and purchasing in separate places can be too time consuming and complicated.
Problem statement: Kai is a university student who needs an app to sell merchandise for their local band and order merch for pick-up at concerts because selling and purchasing in separate places can be too time consuming and complicated.
STARTING THE DESIGN
After analyzing the competitive analysis and user research, it was evident that the two main user frustrations, stressful merchandise purchasing experience and lack of connection between music bands and music fans, were key issues to solve in the app. The design phase began with paper wireframes and continued to develop into more revised and polished designs that addressed user pain points.
PAPER WIREFRAMES
At the start of the design phase, many wireframes were drawn to match the needs of music listeners and music bands. The revision wireframe compiles the best elements of the draft wireframes to create a more personalized experience, with an organized layout for either a quick purchasing process or enjoyable browsing process.
At the start of the design phase, many wireframes were drawn to match the needs of music listeners and music bands. The revision wireframe compiles the best elements of the draft wireframes to create a more personalized experience, with an organized layout for either a quick purchasing process or enjoyable browsing process.
USER FLOW
The main point of constructing this user flow was to visualize and begin to implement app features that address user needs before and beyond the homepage. Upon opening the app, users are provided the option to create an account, whether they are music fans or a music artist. For music fans, each action leads the them through a quick and intuitive shopping experience. For music artists, uploading new products, organizing inventory, and keeping track of revenue is clear and simple.
The main point of constructing this user flow was to visualize and begin to implement app features that address user needs before and beyond the homepage. Upon opening the app, users are provided the option to create an account, whether they are music fans or a music artist. For music fans, each action leads the them through a quick and intuitive shopping experience. For music artists, uploading new products, organizing inventory, and keeping track of revenue is clear and simple.
DIGITAL WIREFRAMES
User 1: Valeria (Music fan)
User 1: Valeria (Music fan)
User 1: Valeria (Music fan)
Some of Valeria’s pain points and how the app addresses them (numbers below correlate with numbers next to screens on right):
Some of Valeria’s pain points and how the app addresses them (numbers below correlate with numbers next to screens on right):
Some of Valeria’s pain points and how the app addresses them (numbers below correlate with numbers next to screens on right):
Wants ability to select app language and change to Spanish
Wants process of finding concert(s) and ordering merchandise to be simplified
Wants ability to select app language and change to Spanish
Wants process of finding concert(s) and ordering merchandise to be simplified
Wants ability to select app language and change to Spanish
Wants process of finding concert(s) and ordering merchandise to be simplified
User 2: Kai (Music artist)
User 2: Kai (Music artist)
User 2: Kai (Music artist)
Some of Kai’s pain points and how the app addresses them (numbers below correlate with numbers next to screens on right):
Some of Kai’s pain points and how the app addresses them (numbers below correlate with numbers next to screens on right):
Some of Kai’s pain points and how the app addresses them (numbers below correlate with numbers next to screens on right):
Wants to learn more about music artists and browse easily
Wants to know order updates and instructions for where to pick up at concert
Wants to learn more about music artists and browse easily
Wants to know order updates and instructions for where to pick up at concert
Wants to learn more about music artists and browse easily
Wants to know order updates and instructions for where to pick up at concert
LOW-FIDELITY PROTOTYPE
REFINING THE DESIGN
IN PROGRESS
PROGRAM COMPLETION:
Live course progress tracker!
Live course progress tracker!
COURSE CHECKLIST
COURSE 1: Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design
COURSE 1: Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design
COURSE 2: Start the UX Design Process - Empathize, Define, Ideate
COURSE 2: Start the UX Design Process - Empathize, Define, Ideate
COURSE 3: Build Wireframes and Low-Fidelity Prototypes
COURSE 3: Build Wireframes and Low-Fidelity Prototypes
COURSE 4: Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts
COURSE 4: Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts
IN PROGRESS
Please check prior case study work done in courses 1-3, as well as other portfolio projects in the meantime!
COURSE 5
COURSE 6
COURSE 7
Let's connect!
Let's connect!
Let's connect!
Let's connect!
Get in touch for opportunities or just to say hi 👋
Get in touch for opportunities or just to say hi 👋
It all starts with an idea💡
Designed and Illustrated by Jae Conine.
Copyright © 2025 Jae Conine. All rights reserved.
It all starts with an idea💡
Designed and Illustrated by Jae Conine.
Copyright © 2025 Jae Conine. All rights reserved.