Groove
ux/ui design
app design
front-end development
Overview
Timeline
4 Months | Jan. 2024 - may. 2024
Role
ux/ui designer
front-end developer
Team
3 Designers
Tools
figma
next.js
notion
after effects
What is Groove?
Groove is a social platform where music enthusiasts can review, rate, and discuss songs, albums, and artists. It provides a dedicated space for meaningful conversations, helping users engage with music beyond listening. With a community-driven rating system and structured discussions, it makes music critique more accessible, interactive, and engaging.
Designed for Gen Z and millennials, Groove centralizes music discourse and fosters a more personal approach to discovery.
Challenge
Music streaming platforms offer endless options but lack a space for real discussion and critique. While fans can listen, there’s no dedicated place to review, rate, and debate music. Conversations about music are scattered across social media, making it harder for enthusiasts to engage in meaningful discussions or discover music through real opinions instead of algorithms.
Research
Key Findings
Research was conducted with music enthusiasts, from casual listeners to dedicated fans, to understand how they engage with music discovery and discussion. The findings revealed the following insights:
No Central Space for Music Conversations
Music discussions are scattered across social media, making it difficult to find in-depth reviews or structured conversations in one place. Streaming platforms primarily focus on listening but do not provide a space for meaningful engagement, debate, or opinion-sharing.
Algorithm Fatigue
Many listeners feel stuck in recommendation loops where algorithms repeatedly suggest similar types of music. There is a strong demand for discovery through real people, whether through reviews, discussions, or curated playlists, rather than relying solely on AI-generated suggestions.
Community-Driven Discovery Matters
Personal recommendations, niche communities, and friend networks are considered the most effective ways to discover new music. There is significant interest in a platform where users can rate, review, and share music in a way that feels more personal and engaging.
Bridging the Gap
1. A Dedicated Space for Reviews and Conversations
Groove provides a structured space for users to rate, review, and discuss songs, albums, and artists. A dedicated review section centralizes music discussions, making it easier to share opinions and engage in deeper conversations.
2. Discovery That Reflects Real Listener Tastes
Instead of relying solely on AI-generated recommendations, Groove highlights what’s resonating with listeners. A trending albums display keeps users informed on the most popular releases each week, helping them discover music in real time.
3. Finding Music Through Community
Music discovery is most meaningful when shared. With user-generated reviews and a personalized music quiz, Groove connects listeners through shared experiences and real opinions, making exploration more engaging and personal.
Wireframing and Initial Iterations
Groove was designed with a focus on intuitive navigation, ensuring that music discovery and discussion remain at the core of the experience. Early wireframes helped shape how users explore albums, share reviews, and engage in meaningful conversations about music.
Throughout the iteration process, every detail was refined, from the Home Page that fosters ongoing discussions to the Tunebox quiz that curates playlists based on individual tastes. The goal was to create a space that feels seamless, engaging, and easy to use, making music exploration and conversation more natural and interactive.
Branding and Styleguide
Groove’s visual identity is lively, inviting, and closely connected to the music experience. Each element, including color, typography, and the logo, works together to create a brand that feels dynamic and expressive.
The color palette is inspired by Groove’s mascots, reflecting a range of moods and musical styles. Typography is clean and readable, and the logo, influenced by sound vibrations, captures the energy of music.
The style guide keeps everything consistent, helping Groove feel like a space where music lovers can explore, connect, and share their passion.
Final Iterations
Groove’s visual identity is lively, inviting, and closely connected to the music experience. Each element, including color, typography, and the logo, works together to create a brand that feels dynamic and expressive.
The color palette is inspired by Groove’s mascots, reflecting a range of moods and musical styles. Typography is clean and readable, and the logo, influenced by sound vibrations, captures the energy of music.
The style guide keeps everything consistent, helping Groove feel like a space where music lovers can explore, connect, and share their passion.
Lets Chat!
© Keona Aguilar 2025