More consumers are using earbuds and headphones all throughout the day. How can we provide a high quality audio experience that caters to these needs?
My UX team includes a UX manager, UI designer, copywriter, user researcher, and design program manager. I coordinate with 17 other teams to understand requirements and the domain and determine the best design solutions.
UX Designer, Interim Manager
Sep 2020 - Present
According to the 2020 Headphones Market Report, consumers are listening to audio via earbuds and headphones for more use cases all throughout the day, including:
My project specifically focused on the experience for users of Belkin’s wireless earbuds. I worked with the UX team to investigate this space, users, competitors, and the industry.
These types of earbuds can have features such as:
To inform our designs, we interviewed users of these products, reviewed competitor examples, conducted card sorting and surveys, and user tested design concepts.
From interviews with 10 wireless earbud owners, analysis of competitor product reviews, and market research, we identified these different types of personas that use wireless earbuds.
“I wear these to the gym and basically get lost in my world and can focus on my workout without hearing anything around me.
Wants to get immersed in music. Needs a secure fit and to be aware of surrounding noise.
“I wear these to the gym and basically get lost in my world and can focus on my workout without hearing anything around me.
Wants to get immersed in music. Needs a secure fit and to be aware of surrounding noise.
“I wear these to the gym and basically get lost in my world and can focus on my workout without hearing anything around me.
Wants to get immersed in music. Needs a secure fit and to be aware of surrounding noise.
“I wear these to the gym and basically get lost in my world and can focus on my workout without hearing anything around me.
Wants to get immersed in music. Needs a secure fit and to be aware of surrounding noise.
These themes repeatedly came up as the top positives and negatives in competitor product reviews and user interviews.
We emphasized these to the cross-functional team and discussed ideas to improve these aspects of the experience:
Other touchpoints include the website for purchase and support, the packaging and setup guide, and customer support. I consider each of these in the UX and provide recommendations and suggestions to the teams that work on these.
With our understanding of the domain, users, and competitive landscape, we designed the experience for each step and touchpoint of the user journey.
For audio, additional hardware-related teams include product development management, firmware engineering, industrial design, electrical engineering, audio engineering, and package design and engineering.
These teams all have vital insight and influence on the product experience as well, and I collaborated with all of them regularly.
