Role
UX designer
UX researcher
Project Info
Student project
Solo
Duration
May 15th-May 31st
(2 Weeks)
Tools Used
Figma
Miro
PROBLEM
There is a need for BTS fans to share and connect
Bangtan Songyeondan (BTS) is a 7-member boy band from South Korea that has touched the hearts of many fans across the globe with their socially conscious music. Their fandom is known as ARMY—one of the most active online communities in existence.
Listening to their music, I can understand why many fans connect with the lyrics. Personally, I resonated with the lyric, “The standards you made are more strict for yourself,” as it emphasizes the importance of loving yourself before loving someone else.
I found myself wanting to discuss BTS lyrics with other fans but found no place existed. Knowing that ARMY is a massive international fanbase, I wanted to explore the following question: How might I create a singular platform that allows BTS fans to connect through lyrics?
HIGH-LEVEL APPROACH
A social platform dedicated to the ARMY
After learning more about the popularization of BTS, the impact of their lyrics, and the need for lyric translations, I created a unified app that creates a safe space for BTS fans to share lyrical impact, interact with other fans, and engage with BTS’ discography.
SECONDARY RESEARCH
Identifying connections across more than 28 scholarly articles
Before starting research, I had already envisioned an app for fans to share how BTS’ song lyrics impacted them. The purpose of the research phase was to find supporting evidence that shows 1) music positively impacts listeners, and 2) there is value in sharing music-listening experiences.
Additionally, I was keen on understanding the potential implications of sharing, as this information would influence the design of safety features on the app. I looked for evidence in scholarly articles, PowerPoints, guest lectures, etc.
USER INTERVIEWS
Interviewing 5 K-pop listeners
I conducted interviews with 5 individuals who have listened to K-pop. The goal of the interview questions was to learn more about fans’ listening experiences and engagement habits within their K-pop communities.
In this stage, I also asked interviewees if they would engage with a unified social platform for their fandom to validate my potential solution idea. 4 out of 5 fans said “yes” because they would enjoy connecting with people who have the same music taste and interests in a playful atmosphere.
THE MAIN INSIGHT
Identifying areas of opportunity from research findings
Synthesizing secondary research and interview findings, I identified the following main insights and areas of opportunity:
FEATURE IDEATION
Brainstorming a feature list according to major insights
Using research insights, I established a list of features to potentially incorporate into the app. Features were bucketed into the home page, where users can interact with BTS songs and share lyrical impact, and the explore page, containing a personal feed with BTS content.
I saved a few features for later implementation since they did not need to be visualized immediately in the low-fidelity wireframing stage.
LOW-FIDELITY WIREFRAMING
Translating my ideas into low-fidelity frames in 4 hours
In the low-fidelity wireframing stage, I mocked the basic list of features to visually map out the pages and see how they would fit together in a cohesive app.
USER FLOW
Outlining the user flow
To solidify my direction going forward, I mapped the different paths users can take within the app. The most important flow depicts the journey for sharing lyrical impact and is highlighted in purple.
MEDIUM FIDELITY
Class presentations are closing in
After gaining a better understanding of the user flows, I moved my design to medium fidelity. I implemented a design system of colors, typography, and buttons and created a slide deck to present to my class to gather feedback from peers and the teaching team.
PEER FEEDBACK
Identifying areas of improvement from peers
After my presentation, I received feedback from 25 students.
Positives:
Utilized a user-centered approach where design choices were informed by research insights to create an ideal app for stakeholders.
The app’s interface is visually appealing and delightful to use.
Lyric interpretation and translation features address an unmet need.
Areas of improvement:
Peers recommended adding a tutorial to guide users through the interface as it might prove challenging for new users to figure out where to start.
The professor suggested focusing on one main functionality to make the app stand out, which led to the removal of the explore page.
Next, I worked on implementing the feedback into the final solution.
SOLUTION
Introducing BTS Impact—an app that establishes a safe space for BTS fans to discuss lyrics
BTS Impact is a mobile app that allows the ARMY to engage with BTS’ music and interact with other fans by sharing and discussing lyrical impact. The app places a heavy emphasis on establishing and maintaining safety due to the ARMY’s overwhelming influence.
FINAL DESIGN
The final product
DESIGN SYSTEM
The design system
I kept the design system lightweight due to time constraints. Aiming for higher contrast, I used a black background featuring predominantly white components. I used a purple gradient as the primary color because purple is known as the “BTS color”, as it represents love and trust within the fandom.
Link to my full Figma work file HERE
REFLECTION
Lessons learned & what I'd do differently next time
I took this class for fun, but it gave me the opportunity to create a unique app for a niche user group. I am incredibly proud of navigating the end-to-end design process by myself in the limited timeframe of 2 weeks. Here are a few things I learned:
Try something new
Always try to experiment when starting a project. This was my first time using a dark background and adding gradients. In fact, I never thought I would be creating an application about BTS in the first place.
Consider feedback
Make sure to iterate based on feedback from anyone you can. Gathering input from 25 peers was crucial in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of my app. The teaching team also added valuable insights, such as focusing on one aspect of the app to make it shine instead of spreading myself too thin.
Back your design choices
Your design decisions should always be backed by research. I enjoyed this project because I can confidently say that all my design choices were heavily influenced by the research I conducted.
I faced many challenges in trying to be meticulous in my limited time. However, I am grateful I took this class, which allowed me to grow as a designer.
If I had more time, I would iterate on my design by improving consistency and accessibility. Additionally, I would add features to help guide users through complicated actions (e.g., secondary header or tooltip), such as translating and highlighting lyrics. Finally, I would complete the flow for commenting on posts and reporting posts.
Thanks for stopping by, feel free to explore my other projects! 🙋🏻♂️
Netflix Redesign
