BBC Radio & Music (NOW BBC SOUNDS) - Audio Playback for Responsive Web
PLAYBACK available here
role: lEAD DESIGNER | May 2016 - FEBRUARY 2018
THE PROBLEM
Originally two separate teams (Radio & Music) the decision was made to merge both BBC teams, working under one combined audio product. This project was to design and deliver a new destination for all audio playback, for the new product, on responsive web, with a focus on mobile playback.
Currently, there are multiple ways to play audio content - it’s not a consistent experience. There is also no option to implement continuous play of audio content, with a significant portion of the audience consume one piece and then leaving. We needed a better way of keeping them in our product and most importantly listening .
MY ROLE
This project was quite foggy and very conceptual when I picked it up. My task was to clarify the concept, prove it works, get product and editorial buy-in and move it from concept to roadmap to MVP release and into a continuous development cycle. The role incorporated concepting, wireframing, prototyping, UI and visual design, user testing and facilitation, specifications and dev-pairing.
Prototype created for rapid testing. It illustrates the continuous playback mechanism, and initial page layout. Since testing several iterations have been made to the list view and displaying the playqueue.
CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT
As lead designer, I currently oversee the work of two other designers. The product consists of two other streams of work. Our aim is to create a cohesive playback experience that enables the audience to find and listen to more of the content they want, whilst meeting the business goal of increased listening time per user, per session. Over the past 18 months, I have led multiple rapid testing sessions which involved planning, prototype development, facilitation and analysis. I have also recently facilitated a highly successful playback design sprint, which has positively influenced the product direction.
THE OUTCOME
It’s been a long road to MVP release, and was a hard sell. On reflection, it’s been a huge learning curve. The power of persuasion, prototypes and testing to influence product decisions can not be emphasised enough. Effective communication and storytelling was essential - articulating design decisions using a clearly defined, structured story drove home the message, and got stakeholders on board. Persistence was key - when you work cohesively with product and development, good things happen. Establishing a good relationship with both was crucial to the success of this project.
Since leaving the BBC, iPlayer Radio has been rebranded to BBC Sounds. The playback team has built on these foundations to further improve the playback experience.
