Product design
Nora Music
Nora Music
Nora is a music discovery platform designed to effortlessly connect musicians with new sounds and opportunities, accelerating their creative pursuits.
TIMELINE
June 2023 - June 2024 (1 year)
Timeline
June 2023 - June 2024 (1 year)
Timeline
June 2023 - June 2024 (1 year)
Team (product)
2 Developers + 2 Designers!
Team (product)
2 Developers + 2 Designers!
Tools
Pen & paper, Miro, Figjam, Figma, Webflow, Google Suite
Tools
Pen & paper, Miro, Figjam, Figma, Webflow, Google Suite
Context
Founded by two USC students passionate about music production, Nora aims to provide both musicians and music enthusiasts with exclusive information on their favorite tunes. I joined the project after the team had established the branding guideline. As the lead designer, I’ve been focusing on building the design system and developing both mobile and web interfaces, along with tackling various smaller design tasks.
Context
Founded by two USC students passionate about music production, Nora aims to provide both musicians and music enthusiasts with exclusive information on their favorite tunes. I joined the project after the team had established the branding guideline. As the lead designer, I’ve been focusing on building the design system and developing both mobile and web interfaces, along with tackling various smaller design tasks.
Disclaimer
This project is currently under NDA.
While I cannot share every detail I worked on, I am able to showcase some of the select features I designed. If you'd like to learn more about Nora, please reach out directly!
Disclaimer
This project is currently under NDA.
While I cannot share every detail I worked on, I am able to showcase some of the select features I designed. If you'd like to learn more about Nora, please reach out directly!
Disclaimer
This project is currently under NDA.
While I cannot share every detail I worked on, I am able to showcase some of the select features I designed. If you'd like to learn more about Nora, please reach out directly!
Challenge
Music exploration takes too much time and effort.
In today’s music landscape, accessing comprehensive, accurate song and artist information requires navigating a handful of scattered sources. Musicians waste time piecing together fragmented insights, often from unreliable or outdated sources, too. This slows down their creative process and makes music exploration inefficient.
Challenge
Music exploration takes too much time and effort.
In today’s music landscape, accessing comprehensive, accurate song and artist information requires navigating a handful of scattered sources. Musicians waste time piecing together fragmented insights, often from unreliable or outdated sources, too. This slows down their creative process and makes music exploration inefficient.
Challenge
Music exploration takes too much time and effort.
In today’s music landscape, accessing comprehensive, accurate song and artist information requires navigating a handful of scattered sources. Musicians waste time piecing together fragmented insights, often from unreliable or outdated sources, too. This slows down their creative process and makes music exploration inefficient.
Solution
Relevant and credible information, in one place.
Nora centralizes song and artist data into a single, modern platform. To do this, Nora partners with record labels to directly source this information from the primary provider. By centralizing all relevant information, it eliminates the need for users to scavenge multiple services, providing users with a seamless, inspiring experience that saves time and fuels creativity.
Solution
Relevant and credible information, in one place.
Nora centralizes song and artist data into a single, modern platform. To do this, Nora partners with record labels to directly source this information from the primary provider. By centralizing all relevant information, it eliminates the need for users to scavenge multiple services, providing users with a seamless, inspiring experience that saves time and fuels creativity.
Solution
Relevant and credible information, in one place.
Nora centralizes song and artist data into a single, modern platform. To do this, Nora partners with record labels to directly source this information from the primary provider. By centralizing all relevant information, it eliminates the need for users to scavenge multiple services, providing users with a seamless, inspiring experience that saves time and fuels creativity.
competitive analysis
What's on the market right now?
The goal of Nora was not to compete with existing products and services, but to create a new platform that centralizes the information that is currently scattered throughout various places. We looked at services that offered the information Nora aims to provide, and based our design on bringing those together along with additional information that is exclusive on the platform.
competitive analysis
What's on the market right now?
The goal of Nora was not to compete with existing products and services, but to create a new platform that centralizes the information that is currently scattered throughout various places. We looked at services that offered the information Nora aims to provide, and based our design on bringing those together along with additional information that is exclusive on the platform.
competitive analysis
What's on the market right now?
The goal of Nora was not to compete with existing products and services, but to create a new platform that centralizes the information that is currently scattered throughout various places. We looked at services that offered the information Nora aims to provide, and based our design on bringing those together along with additional information that is exclusive on the platform.
user flow
How do musicians find relevant information?
Traditionally, users seeking information on songs and artists go through an excessive and time consuming amount of searching. From the student musicians we talked with, this is the typical flow they undergo when trying to find detailed information on a song of interest. Nora hopes to simplify that entire process down to three easy steps.
user flow
How do musicians find relevant information?
Traditionally, users seeking information on songs and artists go through an excessive and time consuming amount of searching. From the student musicians we talked with, this is the typical flow they undergo when trying to find detailed information on a song of interest. Nora hopes to simplify that entire process down to three easy steps.
user flow
How do musicians find relevant information?
Traditionally, users seeking information on songs and artists go through an excessive and time consuming amount of searching. From the student musicians we talked with, this is the typical flow they undergo when trying to find detailed information on a song of interest. Nora hopes to simplify that entire process down to three easy steps.
Existing Experience
Nora's Experience
Existing Experience
Nora's Experience
Existing Experience
Nora's Experience
sketching
Turning visions into wireframes.
For the web interface design, I began by creating low-fidelity wireframes for key pages and features. These initial sketches allowed us to quickly gather feedback from stakeholders, enabling us to iterate on the design before refining it further. Once the wireframes were validated, I developed high-fidelity interactive prototypes.
sketching
Turning visions into wireframes.
For the web interface design, I began by creating low-fidelity wireframes for key pages and features. These initial sketches allowed us to quickly gather feedback from stakeholders, enabling us to iterate on the design before refining it further. Once the wireframes were validated, I developed high-fidelity interactive prototypes.
sketching
Turning visions into wireframes.
For the web interface design, I began by creating low-fidelity wireframes for key pages and features. These initial sketches allowed us to quickly gather feedback from stakeholders, enabling us to iterate on the design before refining it further. Once the wireframes were validated, I developed high-fidelity interactive prototypes.
Design system
Creating a consistent user interface and experience throughout.
Along the way, I created a mini design system, including a style guide and component library, to bring consistency to Nora's evolving design. Upon noticing inconsistencies in the prototypes, I introduced these systems while redesigning the mobile interface and creating the web version. The style guide streamlined the color palette, typography, layout, and logo, ensuring cohesion. The component library sped up iterations and improved collaboration with developers, making design handoffs smoother and facilitating faster updates, which is essential in a rapidly changing startup environment.
Design system
Creating a consistent user interface and experience throughout.
Along the way, I created a mini design system, including a style guide and component library, to bring consistency to Nora's evolving design. Upon noticing inconsistencies in the prototypes, I introduced these systems while redesigning the mobile interface and creating the web version. The style guide streamlined the color palette, typography, layout, and logo, ensuring cohesion. The component library sped up iterations and improved collaboration with developers, making design handoffs smoother and facilitating faster updates, which is essential in a rapidly changing startup environment.
Design system
Creating a consistent user interface and experience throughout.
Along the way, I created a mini design system, including a style guide and component library, to bring consistency to Nora's evolving design. Upon noticing inconsistencies in the prototypes, I introduced these systems while redesigning the mobile interface and creating the web version. The style guide streamlined the color palette, typography, layout, and logo, ensuring cohesion. The component library sped up iterations and improved collaboration with developers, making design handoffs smoother and facilitating faster updates, which is essential in a rapidly changing startup environment.
Style guide
SIZE guide
vampire
Olivia Rodrigo
Vocals
vampire
Olivia Rodrigo
Break My Heart Again
FINNEAS
Lover
Taylor Swift
Last Night
Morgan Wallen
Kill Bill
SZA
vampire
Olivia Rodrigo
Vocals
vampire
Olivia Rodrigo
Break My Heart Again
FINNEAS
Lover
Taylor Swift
Last Night
Morgan Wallen
Kill Bill
SZA
vampire
Olivia Rodrigo
Vocals
vampire
Olivia Rodrigo
Break My Heart Again
FINNEAS
Lover
Taylor Swift
Last Night
Morgan Wallen
Kill Bill
SZA
COMPONENT LIBRARY
Prototyping
After finalizing the wireframes, I focused on creating high-fidelity interactive prototypes that brought the design to life. These prototypes allowed stakeholders to interact with the interface, providing valuable feedback on the user experience. The prototypes were then tested with musicians and industry professionals, leading to iterative updates. Below are two main features of Nora that I designed.
Prototyping
After finalizing the wireframes, I focused on creating high-fidelity interactive prototypes that brought the design to life. These prototypes allowed stakeholders to interact with the interface, providing valuable feedback on the user experience. The prototypes were then tested with musicians and industry professionals, leading to iterative updates. Below are two main features of Nora that I designed.
Prototyping
After finalizing the wireframes, I focused on creating high-fidelity interactive prototypes that brought the design to life. These prototypes allowed stakeholders to interact with the interface, providing valuable feedback on the user experience. The prototypes were then tested with musicians and industry professionals, leading to iterative updates. Below are two main features of Nora that I designed.
Nora Breakdown
The Breakdown is the main selling point of Nora that hosts verified information for each track, like credits, chords, samples, atlernate takes, and stems.
Nora Breakdown
The Breakdown is the main selling point of Nora that hosts verified information for each track, like credits, chords, samples, atlernate takes, and stems.
Nora Breakdown
The Breakdown is the main selling point of Nora that hosts verified information for each track, like credits, chords, samples, atlernate takes, and stems.
Iteration 1
⛔ Side by side layout limits screen space for the user to view the details.
Iteration 2
⛔ Overlay design restricts users from accessing the side menu.
Final Design
✅ This layout allows users to maximize the screen real estate to view essential information without sacrificing functionality.
Stem Player
The Stem Player is Nora's take on an audio player that allows users to quickly experiment with tracks. Musicians can take snippets of the audio and make basic edits on the spot.
Stem Player
The Stem Player is Nora's take on an audio player that allows users to quickly experiment with tracks. Musicians can take snippets of the audio and make basic edits on the spot.
Stem Player
The Stem Player is Nora's take on an audio player that allows users to quickly experiment with tracks. Musicians can take snippets of the audio and make basic edits on the spot.
Iteration 1
⛔ Emphasis on the album art is an ineffective use of valuable screen space.
Iteration 2
⛔ Pull-up tab design creates an unnecessary trigger for users to accidentally close the tab mid-use.
Final Design
✅ This layout eliminates unnecessary visual elements and allows the user to focus on the music editing.
WEBSITE DESIGN
Making a good first impression.
Another key project I worked on was designing the Nora website. I worked closely with the founders to align the platform’s vibe with their vision. The goal was to showcase Nora as a dynamic, modern music discovery tool that speaks to musicians and music lovers of all kinds. Through multiple iterations, I refined the layout, visual design, and content to balance functionality with an inspiring look.
WEBSITE DESIGN
Making a good first impression.
Another key project I worked on was designing the Nora website. I worked closely with the founders to align the platform’s vibe with their vision. The goal was to showcase Nora as a dynamic, modern music discovery tool that speaks to musicians and music lovers of all kinds. Through multiple iterations, I refined the layout, visual design, and content to balance functionality with an inspiring look.
WEBSITE DESIGN
Making a good first impression.
Another key project I worked on was designing the Nora website. I worked closely with the founders to align the platform’s vibe with their vision. The goal was to showcase Nora as a dynamic, modern music discovery tool that speaks to musicians and music lovers of all kinds. Through multiple iterations, I refined the layout, visual design, and content to balance functionality with an inspiring look.
Reflection
What I learned working for a student startup.
Ask for the "why."
In the early days, I took feedback as instruction and iterated on my designs based on that. Soon, I realized I disagreed with much of the revisions I was making, and started asking for the rationale behind the founders' opinions. This not only allowed me to make informed and comprehensive design decisions, but also opened the door to discussions that led to better solutions.
Communication is a key player.
Working remotely with a team distributed across the country taught me that strong communication is the backbone of any project. Especially in a startup environment where the goals and tasks are changing at lightning speed, it is crucial to keep the team in the loop at all times.
Take ownership of your learning.
I joined Nora with zero knowledge of music production and faced challenges early on. But a crucial part of being a product designer is having contextual understanding of the very thing I was building. Thus, I learned the importance of asking questions and putting in the effort to understand industry terms, the production process, and this made me more effective as a designer and helped build stronger connections with the team.
THE END
Thank you for reading!
THE END
Thank you for reading!
THE END
Thank you for reading!
Thanks for stopping by-
Let's grab a coffee.
© Made with love and kombucha in Seattle, Washington 👩💻
Thanks for stopping by-
Let's grab a coffee.
© Made with love and kombucha in Seattle, Washington 👩💻
Thanks for stopping by-
Let's grab a coffee.
© Made with love and kombucha in Seattle, Washington 👩💻