1BUNNY
1BUNNY is an indie hip-hop record label from NYC / NJ. Consisting of mostly Korean-Americans, 1BUNNY needed a website that could relay information effectively to potential / current fans through a simple, aesthetically pleasing design.
Design Process
Research / Define
Research was split up into two different methods: individual user interviews and market research. Research findings were then used to pinpoint what the key points and functions are necessary for the website’s design.
2. Interaction Design
Using the information from the first process, preliminary designs were made, as well as task flows, a sitemap, and low-fidelity wireframes.
3. Prototyping
A UI Kit and subsequent mid-fidelity wireframes were made and made ready for prototype testing. A usability test was conducted in order to determine the website’s effectiveness and visual design.
Market Research
Market Research was conducted in order to learn what the purpose of a record label’s website was, as well as what other established record labels were doing in order to maximize on their marketing and efficiency.
User Research and Persona
Individual User Interviews were conducted with five different participants in order to get an idea of what key features, goals, and pain points users would have / need in a record label’s website. Through interviews, I was able to determine the potential pain points / needs of a user that explores an artist’s website.
A persona was made using the information from the market research and the user interviews. It contains a loose bio, the potential goals / needs of the userbase, and similar artists / music genres on rotation.
Ideate: Sitemap
A sitemap was made to layout the website’s and its general navigation. The sitemap would be the skeleton for future iterations of the website, such as wireframes and a prototype.
Design: Low-Fidelity Wireframes
In order to get an initial design and layout fully established, low-fidelity wireframes were made on Sketch. These wireframes would be the skeleton of the final designs, laying out the groundwork for navigation, features, and overall feel and aesthetic.
Prototype / High-Fidelity Wireframes
A prototype was made on InVisionApp with new, higher fidelity wireframes.
A usability test would be conducted with said prototype.
Design: UI Kit
A UI Kit was made to finalize the colors, elements, and header / footer, as well as all of the small details on the website. All future additions / changes to the website would need to adhere to the design philosophies and elements listed below.
Testing: Usability Testing Findings
With the conclusion of the usability test, I was able to compile the feedback from the participants into a document with an affinity map.
Iterations / Next Steps
Using the user feedback, I made slight iteration to the website’s design, as the navigation had no issues. With these iterations, we will be handing off the project to front-end developers and push to go live.
The header was altered to give more of a clear indication when menu items are being hovered over
Conclusion
Designing a website for an indie record label was a fun and interesting experience. As the brand itself had not been fully established, a lot of extra research into the context of the group was needed. In looking to tie in the brand’s identity with the design of the website, I was able to learn a lot more about minimalist designs, implementing thematic design choices, and thinking outside of the box in order to add more vibrancy to an already aesthetically pleasing brand.
