MusicLab
An Immersive Safe Space for Young People with Social Anxiety.
Role: User Researcher | Website Developer | UX/UI Designer
Location: The University of Sydney, Sydney NSW
Design Tools: Miro, Figma, Notion, Repl. (HTML/CSS/JS), Balsamiq
Location: The University of Sydney, Sydney NSW
Design Tools: Miro, Figma, Notion, Repl. (HTML/CSS/JS), Balsamiq
Project Summary
MusicLab is a digital platform designed as part of the DECO3200 Product Design Studio at the University of Sydney to address social anxiety in young people aged 16-24. Using music therapy principles and a research-driven design approach, MusicLab offers a secure, inviting environment for users to connect, fostering empathy and community support.
Our Goal:
• Create a safe, welcoming space for young people with social anxiety.
• Utilise music therapy and user interactions to gently ease users into socialisation.
• Offer an alternative, community-based solution for those affected by social anxiety.
Target Users
MusicLab’s target users are young people (ages 16-24) who experience social anxiety and may find traditional social interactions challenging. Research indicated that many individuals are more comfortable in digital environments, making an online community platform particularly suitable.
Problem Statement
Social anxiety can be isolating, especially for young people who may feel uncomfortable in in-person social settings. MusicLab was conceived to create a community-oriented, low-pressure online environment where users could gradually engage with others through the therapeutic medium of music, empowering them to feel safe, understood, and supported.
My Role
I was responsible for user research, website development, and UX/UI design. Collaborating with peers, I led the research efforts and developed user personas, journey maps, and low-to-high-fidelity prototypes. My role also included coding the interactive prototype in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, ensuring a seamless design-to-development transition.
Project Timeline
Below is the Project Road Map developed in Miro and Prototyping and Testing Approach summarising the complete project journey from start to finish.
Design Process
Double Diamond Model (Discover, Define, Develop, Deliver)
Our process prioritised continuous iteration based on user feedback, ensuring MusicLab evolved to meet user needs effectively.
Our process prioritised continuous iteration based on user feedback, ensuring MusicLab evolved to meet user needs effectively.
User Research and Background Research
To inform our design process, we employed a range of research methods that provided comprehensive insights into user needs, behaviours, and preferences. Our approach included:
Questionaires
We used questionnaires to understand the key challenges people with social anxiety face and how open they might be to using apps for support. This allowed us to identify patterns in their experiences and design features that could effectively address their needs.
WWWWWH Framework
Following a Who, What, When, Where, Why and How framework, we created a mind map that illustrated an overview of what this service will provide for users, which helped drive our user research
Research Insights
• 11% of the Australian population experiences social anxiety, and social support significantly enhances feelings of happiness and protection.
• Privacy was identified as a crucial factor in user engagement and comfort, especially in online communities and our target users.
User Persona
Developed from our research insights, our user persona helped us empathise with our audience and guided our design concepts, ensuring they aligned with our target users' needs and preferences.
Prototyping and Testing
From low-fidelity sketches to high-fidelity prototypes, our iterative process included usability testing, think-aloud protocols, and guided walkthrough interviews. Each stage was meticulously planned using project management tools like Gantt charts and KANBAN boards.
Ideation and Initial Concepts
Based on user insights gathered from our research, we used lo-fi sketching to explore multiple design concepts. Early concept sketches allowed us to explore ideas quickly and keep the user experience central, using simple visuals to iterate on functionality.
Concept 1: My Planet
Concept 2: Link Up
Concept 3: 52 Hz Sea
Concept 4: MusicLab
SUS Testing
During our product development, we used System Usability Scale (SUS) testing to ensure our prototypes met usability standards. This method provided us with quick, reliable feedback on how users interacted with the product. By evaluating key usability factors, we were able to identify areas for improvement and refine features to better meet the needs of our core audience, ensuring an intuitive and user-friendly experience.
Usability Testing
We conducted usability testing to track the user experience and measure the time taken to complete each task. This data allowed us to identify areas where users faced challenges, enabling us to optimise efficiency in our iterations of MusicLab.
Mid Fidelity Prototype
Based on the insights gathered from the design methods above, we were able to refine our product to effectively meet the needs of individuals with social anxiety.
Below is our mid-fidelity prototype, showcasing the features developed to cater to the unique challenges faced by our target audience.
Final Prototype and Product Demonstration
Using Figma, we developed a high-fidelity prototype incorporating all key features, designed to create a visually engaging and intuitive user experience for socially anxious people.
User Journey Map
We developed a user journey map to document a user's experience in using MusicLab, Utilising user walkthroughs and interviews, we were able to track a user's complete user journey. We were able to identify multiple pain points, delight points and opportunities to improve our user experience.
Concept Art & UI Guidelines
Hi-Fi Figma Prototype
Interactive Web Prototype
Grounded in user feedback and our design process, we developed the application using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript which was tested with target users to simulate real-world usage.
The prototype can be accessed using the button below!
Outcome
We created MusicLab as a welcoming, low-pressure space where young people with social anxiety can find a sense of community and safely explore social connections. By blending user-centered design and the principles of music therapy, we built a platform that helps users engage at their own pace.
We created MusicLab as a welcoming, low-pressure space where young people with social anxiety can find a sense of community and safely explore social connections. By blending user-centered design and the principles of music therapy, we built a platform that helps users engage at their own pace.
Key Learnings
• Design with Empathy: Working closely with users reminded us how crucial empathy is for creating environments that feel safe and accessible, especially for those with anxiety.
• Iterate and Improve: Regular prototyping and testing taught us that refining ideas continuously is key to building something that truly works for users.
• Privacy Matters: We learned that ensuring user privacy is vital for comfort and engagement, particularly when working with sensitive groups.
Reflection
This project showed me just how important it is to base design choices on real user experiences, especially in the context of mental health and well-being, where every detail matters. MusicLab is a reminder that thoughtful design can create real change, offering a caring, effective space where people can connect and feel supported.
This project showed me just how important it is to base design choices on real user experiences, especially in the context of mental health and well-being, where every detail matters. MusicLab is a reminder that thoughtful design can create real change, offering a caring, effective space where people can connect and feel supported.