StudioFindr – Spring 2019
(prototype in progress, and coming soon!)
(Illustrator, Photoshop, Sketch, InVision)
For my research, I interviewed several colleagues from when I was performing. I immediately ran into a problem I hadn’t considered. Although the process to find and book a studio is complicated/antiquated, the people I was interviewing had a set method from which they rarely deviated. I took a step back, swallowed my pride, and acknowledged that I was interviewing a slightly older demographic than I needed to.
I went back out into the community, interviewed additional people who were either current undergraduate students living in NYC or recent graduates, and with those interview results I created an affinity map which helped me to identify some key findings:
I also quickly discovered there was currently only one online option to book studios for singers & musicians…
At this point, it was time to meet our user!
Ed needs a one-stop shop. Below is a rough and tumble paper prototype, followed by a quick wireframe. These both start the user on a selectable calendar and time slot screen.
After testing this prototype, it became immediate obvious that I had put the cart before the horse. Users consistently wished they could just open the app to see what was locally available, AFTER which they’d select a time slot. I updated my user flow (below), and then built a final wireframe based on this new and exciting information.
This project was eye-opening for me in many ways. I learned a lot about listening, and also affirmed my ability to pivot on a dime, and start completely from scratch if necessary.
NEXT STEPS?
I am currently working with a developer to finalize hifi wireframes and all of the backend, with the intent to bring this product to market. Additionally, this was always intended to be a two-market product. The studios themselves will need an interface to confirm and process bookings on their end. That is also being researched this very moment.
It’s worth noting here that I ALWAYS intended this solution to serve FIRST the underpaid and frequently unemployed community of actors and musicians that give NYC her soul. As I intend to not waver from that commitment, I am researching possible solutions for sponsored ad placement to create a revenue stream.