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Renaissance app with streaming screen, upcoming streaming parties are outside of the app

Rethinking the Renaissance app experience

Did you know 61 million Spotify users
are not consider music fans but music super fans?

Despite this, there isn’t a dedicated place for fans to connect to one another, or their favourite artists. This leaves fans spread out across forums, social networks and fragmented fan clubs.

A disconnect plug with fans and music artists on each side, showing a disconnect

Overview

My Role

I was the sole researcher, UX and UI designer on a team of 8. I worked closely with 1 Product Manager and 2 Engineers

Problem

Despite millions of under 30s using Spotify daily, fans had limited ways to meaningfully connect with artists or each other.

Renaissance set out to close this gap, but limited engagement and a 2.8 App Store rating highlighted friction in the existing experience.

Problem

Outcome

App Store rating increased from 2.8 to 3.2 within three months, then to 4.1 within a year
47% of users active after 90 days
Organic downloads doubled from 380k to 790k with no marketing spend

Outcome

App Store rating increased from 2.8 to 3.2 within three months, then to 4.1 within a year
47% of users active after 90 days
Organic downloads doubled from 380k to 790k with no marketing spend

Outcome

App Store rating increased from 2.8 to 3.2 within three months, then to 4.1 within a year
47% of users active after 90 days
Organic downloads doubled from 380k to 790k with no marketing spend

The original design

The original app included a leaderboard, streaming parties, basic stats, and a user profile.

Users could earn in-app currency (stars) by completing daily adventures and streaming music, which encouraged short-term engagement. However, because stars couldn’t be used in a meaningful way, motivation dropped over time and the experience felt unfinished.

Understanding the problem

In-depth strategy and discovery research was conducted to identify the app’s current limitations and define a clearer direction forward.

I began with a heuristic evaluation, competitor research, and by compiling user reviews.

Most apps that connect to Spotify, prioritised stats and social listening, with limited gamified artist–fan connection. Feedback from the app store and socials confirmed our users cared about this connection, showing us a gap in the market.

Concepting

Sketching and low-fidelity wireframes helped me explore concepts early and refine the direction with the team.

App sketches of key screens like the homepage

A key change made: I moved users profile to the top bar and added an earnings & rewards section to the bottom nav. Since earning rewards is key for users and the business, using a familiar UX pattern was essential.

Testing & Incorporating feedback

I conducted a mixed-method survey which received 70 responses.

The survey contained a series of questions related to the new features and a preference test comparing 2 versions of the same screen.

The responses from the usability study reassured us that despite a few small changes needed, users really liked the redesign.

I conducted a mixed-method survey which received 70 responses.

UI overhaul

Next, I focused on the UI overhaul, focusing on standing out in a crowded music scene.

While choosing colours, typography, buttons, and other UI elements, I followed W3C accessibility standards and aligned with Spotify’s guidelines for components with their content included.

Finally, I created a style guide, design system and promotional graphics for social media.

Next, I focused on the UI overhaul, focusing on standing out in a crowded music scene.

While choosing colours, typography, buttons, and other UI elements, I followed W3C accessibility standards and aligned with Spotify’s guidelines for components with their content included.

Finally, I created a style guide, design system and promotional graphics for social media.

Mood board featuring other music apps, colour and typeface inspiration

Moodboard direction

Final Design

Streaming Party

Search for Streaming Parties, join recommended, popular or parties ending soon, favourite upcoming parties or create your own.

Shop

Use your well earned stars on artist raffles & grand prizes! Not enough stars? Earn more by completing daily adventures, referring friends & streaming.

My Streams

What was once Favourites has now become My Streams! I created a flexible design allowing for more features and statistics

Fun fact:

After redesigning the app, I was challenged to design the web app from scratch in 24 hours… challenge accepted ✅

Webapp showing Anderson. Paak party with 4 days remaining

Summary

I absolutely loved redesigning the Renaissance app! It was great to work with such an amazing team on something that people care about so much.

Positive reviews from Renaissance fans across X and Instagram

It was great to improve the app even further, and have since tested and designed multiple features such as; virtual festivals, premium profile & a social media feed.

Thanks for reading! ☀︎