"Challenge accepted"
Role
Platform
When
| UX, UI, Prototype, Research
| Web Application
| 2023
Transition through tracks, and learn how to mix, with this amazing feature.
About The Features
1. Transition through tracks within your playlist, with no effort
2. Create and edit playlists quickly
3. Big and clear player display for long hours of DJing
4. With Smart Guides you will be able to know your way around the art of mixing
The Challenges
VIRTUAL DJ is an amazing tool for beginners
Today, almost anyone can DJ, just a computer and the right software. VIRTUAL DJ is a popular free software designed for beginners. It does most of the mixing automatically, but still limits the DJ from leaving the booth during the event, and may also cause eye strain due to bad user interface.
Competitor Analysis
Finding out what is missing from other softwares
To better plan my design, I first researched the competing DJ softwares for solutions. I studied different softwares considered both for beginners and professional DJs.
Strong Points
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Intuitive and easy enough to learn
Many features to help DJs improve their set
The softwares run mostly smooth
Weak spots in competitive apps:
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Most DJ softwares cost money
Not every software has automatic mixing option
Uncomfortable design which may cause eye strain
The Persona
Idan Zilberg
Age 27, Tel Aviv
Short Bio
Idan is a beginner DJ, playing mostly at friends gatherings and small private parties.
Frustrations
Making technical errors during a live set
Unable to leave the setup during the entire event
Eye strain after long time of looking at the screen
Core Needs
Leave the setup without the audience noticing
Large player with clear and comfortable display
Create a playlist and mix songs automatically
The Wisdom Of The Crowd
32 beginner DJs who perform at various events participated in my survey to find out if they knew a feature that allows automatic playback and mixing, and how satisfied they were with available tools today.
90%
Prefer a free and simple software
75%
Know a solution but avoid it because it is too complex
60%
Usually play at various events 3-4 times a month
95%
Arrive to most events with a prepared playlist
User Needs
I asked my survey respondents to write down some of the problems they have today, Here are some of the needs that they shared with me:
“During the party I want to interact with friends or use the restroom but I can't”
“After a few hours my eyes start to hurt”
“I want to mix like a pro but don’t have much experience”
“I barely make a living from events, so I can’t afford to pay for a DJ software”
Main Goals
After researching the competitors and users, I began to understand what is missing today, and how to create a product that DJs will love.
The freedom to create and edit playlists quickly.
Hours of mixed music that will require no effort from the DJ.
Large and clear display that will not cause eye strain.
Wireframe
I started drawing early concepts of the feature, one of the things I liked about the original design was the use of Cover-Flow for the album covers and I decided to include the idea in the new design as well.
Possible Solution
After laying out the objectives, and understanding the problems and goals, I redesigned the feature AutoMix. Take your music production to the next level. It’s a great way for beginner DJ’s to learn about the art of mixing, Or to play tunes in the background as you want to leave the setup. The clean and intuitive interface I designed makes it easy for the DJ to look at the screen for hours.
Conclosions
VIRTUAL DJ can be a great tool for beginners. While it allows easy mixing and does most of the work automatically, it can also limit the user. The AutoMix feature I designed can improve your mixing skills, while allowing more freedom, and tune up your set from good to amazing.
Old Version (Before)
This is the design of the Automix feature today, very small buttons, dense user interface that is mostly unnecessary while using AutoMix. There are many problems that I wanted to solve, to make the feature fun and educational.
Options button
To add a song to the playlist, right click to bring the options manu up and choose “add to AutoMix”
Open AutoMix view in sidelist
and move tracks you want
start AutoMix
Playing track
Main Screens
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Main Features
Large And Clear Display
Big full screen player display, with all tracks information, cover art and control buttons. Press the “close” button to exit full screen player back to normal view.
Track indicator
Music control buttons
Change the type of transition effect
Exit fullscreen
Smart Guides
AutoMix can actually make you a better DJ. Look for the smart guides on the waveform. They will show you the best place on the track to mix the next song. You can take control and press the “skip” button, to mix the next song yourself.
Phrase countdown, shows the interval from the playback position to the next phrase
Smart guides, will help you to mix at the right timing
Currently playing
track name and information
Next track name and information
Create and edit AutoMix playlist quickly
Easily add and reorder of songs in the AutoMix playlist, just drag and drop any song from your music Library into the player, to add it to the playlist.
