My Roles
UI/UX design & prototyping
User testing & feedback
Light HTML/CSS
TIMELINE
Fall 2018 - Spring 2019
UI/UX design & prototyping
User testing & feedback
Light HTML/CSS
TIMELINE
Fall 2018 - Spring 2019
KVRX is college radio for Austin, TX. I redesigned their website for listeners and DJs to enjoy.
The redesign resulted in less user confusion and more audience engagement. A fresh look got 200+ KVRX DJs more excited about the station - which led to more opportunities for students to cover events like SXSW, and interview major artists like AJJ, Jeffrey Lewis, and Spoon.
Like many radio stations today, KVRX is adapting to an online audience. KVRX is mostly listened to by 20-something Austin musicheads. The kind of people who read big music news like Pitchfork, but stay loyal to their local scene. KVRX appeals to these folks because its DJs curate the local & underground music you’ve probably never heard of.
Unforunately, the mid-2010s site design did not highlight the local music content modern listerners were seeking out.
Unforunately, the mid-2010s site design did not highlight the local music content modern listerners were seeking out.
Other problems arose internally. The station had expanded from a few dozen DJs to well over 200 members in a few short years. These DJs all needed better access to resources from KVRX staff, from uploading weekly playlists to uploading new album reviews.
When I joined the station, it felt like the perfect time for us to update the website to reach more listeners and help the DJs.
When I joined the station, it felt like the perfect time for us to update the website to reach more listeners and help the DJs.
The last KVRX.org redesign from 2012!PROCESS
KVRX is best known for over 30 years of alternative programming and exclusive artist content.
To better share all the hard work DJs were doing adapting to a digital world, I collaborated with station staff on three main goals for the website:
- Promote KVRX content:
Written, video, and social media - Emphasize the online radio stream
- Develop internal DJ resources
I worked with fellow DJ and developer Alex Houy. We had an agile workflow, shooting off ideas and feedback as we thought of it.
I began to develop a site map and where key elements should live. Getting this framework and rough UI helped keep brand alignment & usability at the forefront.
I began to develop a site map and where key elements should live. Getting this framework and rough UI helped keep brand alignment & usability at the forefront.
In initial prototypes, I spent a lot of time building up the site’s written content sections, the blog and album reviews.
I created a tabbed filtering system for blog posts so users could sort by type of content. Users are suggested other similar posts to encourage browsing and discoverability.
It was important to me the blog and album reviews were robust so that DJs felt encouraged to write more content. The written content would bolster KVRX’s social media and promoter relations, getting DJs more press access to shows in town.
I created a tabbed filtering system for blog posts so users could sort by type of content. Users are suggested other similar posts to encourage browsing and discoverability.
It was important to me the blog and album reviews were robust so that DJs felt encouraged to write more content. The written content would bolster KVRX’s social media and promoter relations, getting DJs more press access to shows in town.
Next, I focused on emphasizing the online stream. While a sleek livestream bar looked nice, it did poorly in user tests when asked to locate the streaming “listen” button. This info led me to follow the industry standard used by other radio sites, and create a larger livestream bar that follows users page-to-page so they never have to stop listening.
I kept the website situated within a 12 column flexbox design. This made the site adaptable to any screen size. I drafted in a “light” color mode, though user feedback swayed us to a dark mode for readability and brand alignment.
I kept the website situated within a 12 column flexbox design. This made the site adaptable to any screen size. I drafted in a “light” color mode, though user feedback swayed us to a dark mode for readability and brand alignment.
User tests kept the design on the right track.
After an initial redesign we ran some tests with six external users, asking them to think-aloud as they completed a few core tasks:
...Find out what KVRX last posted on YouTube.
...Tune into the site’s livestream through the “LISTEN” button.
...Read the most recent album review.
Their feedback caught a lot of minor issues that led to big problems regarding core functionality.
SOLUTIONS
New homepage to encourage discovery.
A solid homepage design was important because many people visit KVRX.org for the livestream, but aren’t yet aware of what else the station has to offer.
I was inspired by editorial and newspaper design, using columns and blurbs to offer captivating peaks into the site’s content, plus links to dive deeper.
A mobile site comparable to Pitchfork or Spotify.
Users told us that they felt more familiar with music streaming apps offering listening information at the bottom of their screen, unlike most radio station sites that have listening info on the top of the site.
To address this, we created a responsive site that acts a lot like familiar music listening apps.
Creating resources for KVRX DJs too, like a mini intranet.
KVRX was dealing with a classic dilemma I like to call too many damn Google docs.
Important DJing resources were scattered, and new DJs felt overwhelmed.
Important DJing resources were scattered, and new DJs felt overwhelmed.
I consolidated these resources into an internal Help page. Here all basic DJ questions were answered, from FCC regulations to getting more involved at the station. These pages are easily editable by any staff member.
Outcome
The KVRX site had to function differently for its two audiences.
External listeners
Before the redesign, KVRX listeners faced an outdated site with little guiding them to all the site’s then-hidden content.
By integrating social media content into the site, engagement increased across socials and site activity.
Questions from troubleshooting users decreased from daily calls and emails to nearly never.
Before the redesign, KVRX listeners faced an outdated site with little guiding them to all the site’s then-hidden content.
By integrating social media content into the site, engagement increased across socials and site activity.
Questions from troubleshooting users decreased from daily calls and emails to nearly never.
Internal DJs
Internally, the site boosted DJ participation by emphasizing DJ content like interview videos and album reviews.
With these new outlets, KVRX received their first SXSW press badges in years, and began bringing in major artists like Spoon and AJJ.
“Check the Help page” became the new “Just Google it,” and questions from DJs have decreased too!
Internally, the site boosted DJ participation by emphasizing DJ content like interview videos and album reviews.
With these new outlets, KVRX received their first SXSW press badges in years, and began bringing in major artists like Spoon and AJJ.
“Check the Help page” became the new “Just Google it,” and questions from DJs have decreased too!
