project proposal
interview guide
persona
user need statement
Sam, a digitally-savvy and out-of-state college student exploring LA’s music culture needs an easy and immersive way to discover iconic music spots and artist stories while on the go in order to explore and feel more connected to the city and her favorite artists through memorable, music-centered experiences.
sitemap
navigation scheme
For my navigation scheme, I plan to use a bottom navigation bar. This navigation bar will have the home page, the map view, and a playlist page. I plan to use this set up of a bottom navigation for a few reasons. One purpose is because it matched a lot of popular apps that people already know how to use. For example Instagram or Spotify, they both have a bottom navigation bar which holds their homepage, then an “exploration” tab and one other tab (Instagram has a profile and Spotify have playlists). This type of setup will feel very familiar to new users, which leads to an easier exploration and journey that the user experiences when they first explore the app. Another reason that I plan to use a bottom navigation is so that each tab is easily accessible to the user wherever they are in the app. One of the main features of the app is to be able to use map and walk around, exploring these venues. So, I would want a menu that wouldn’t take a lot of space on the screen but would still be able to consistently be there. Being able to have a consistently present navigation bar is important for me since there is a lot to explore in the app and if the user gets lost, there is always a way to get back to the main pages.
user journey
user flow
wireframes
color palette
app design
case study
Introduction
Encore started as this idea I had about exploring cities through music. I’ve always loved discovering new places, and I think music is one of the most personal and emotional ways to connect with a place. Especially somewhere like Los Angeles. Here the music history is so layered and interesting. I wanted to design something that felt both cultural and social, something that made users feel like they were stepping into a story while also giving them a reason to get out and explore.
I started the project by thinking about the kind of user who would actually use this app. I created a persona named Sam—someone who’s new to LA, into music and culture, and looking for new ways to explore the city. From there, I built out the core concept: an app where users can explore LA through music venues, learn more about artists and histories tied to those places, and track the venues they’ve visited. The idea was to combine the feel of a city guide with a kind of personal journal or scrapbook.
Starting the Design
I wanted to make the design feel familiar and comfortable, especially because the app has a lot of different features. I leaned into design inspiration from apps like Spotify, Google Maps, and Beli—basically, apps that people already trust and know how to use. For example, I used a super standard layout for the login and signup pages, just to keep that part easy and not distracting. I also used real images of cities and venues throughout the homepage and map views to help spark curiosity and get users interested in exploring more.
The homepage became one of the strongest parts of the design. It recommends venues, walking tour maps, and even playlists. I added a search bar right up top because I noticed that almost every map or recommendation app makes this a focus—and it just makes sense. People want a quick way to jump in.
New Features
One big shift from my original proposal was the profile feature. At first, it was going to be a pretty basic account page, but I ended up creating a space where users could keep track of venues they’ve visited and even upload photos and little journal entries. I realized that people are way more likely to stay engaged if they feel like they’re documenting something meaningful. I wanted it to feel like a keepsake, a space that reflects your own experience in the city.
What Worked
A lot of parts came together well and during my usability run-throughs, the users said the app felt intuitive and easy to explore. They liked the homepage layout, the navigation bar, and how everything felt visually consistent. I think using familiar design elements helped a lot here. The text hierarchy, use of color, and even the animations I added made the experience feel polished.
The users were able to complete the task I gave them (“find the venue information page”) in around 1–2 minutes, which I felt good about. Once they got to the homepage, they knew where to go and how to get around. I think the visuals and flow helped guide that.
What Didn't Work
The biggest issue was in the account creation flow. I had a screen where new users could add venues to their profile right away—but I put the “Skip” and “Next” buttons in small white text at the bottom of the page. Both users completely missed it during testing and ended up stuck in this weird loop of adding venues. It made me realize how easy it is to overlook button placement, especially when the screen is busy or visually detailed. I went back and changed it so those buttons are now right under the “Add Venue” section and way more visible.
Another thing that didn’t quite land was the map itself. Right now, it’s just a 2D top-down map, and it feels kind of flat. I think if this were a real app, I’d definitely want to explore making it 3D or at least more immersive—something that helps you feel like you’re in LA and not just looking at another basic map screen. Maybe even AR elements, or better walking directions.
Reflections & Future Plans
This project was done within the limits of a class, which definitely shaped the process. I worked on everything solo, with limited time and only a couple people testing the prototype. But I still learned a lot—from layout and flow to how users actually move through an interface and what details matter more than I expected.
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If I had more time, I’d love to build a working prototype and test it with a bigger, more diverse group of users—especially people who are newer to LA or who love learning about music and culture. I’d also be curious to explore how accessibility could play into this—how to make the app usable for people with different abilities or needs, and how to make sure the experience is inclusive.
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More broadly, this made me want to keep working on projects that combine storytelling, space, and tech. I’m especially interested in building out more location-based experiences, improving spatial interfaces (like maps or AR), and making cultural history more interactive. And even though this was a solo class project, it really felt like something that could live beyond the classroom.