A full UX thesis project — from Reddit research and surveys to competitive analysis, user personas, usability testing, and a high-fidelity prototype. Solving a simple but overlooked user need: saving and revisiting podcast moments.
Podcast consumption is booming — especially among tech-savvy users aged 12–34 who seek entertainment, education, and companionship. With smart speakers and smartphones making access easier, users expect platforms like Spotify to offer personalised, user-friendly features.
Research from the Infinite Dial 2023 and other reports revealed a clear gap: users wanted a way to save and revisit specific podcast moments — but Spotify had nothing for this. That became the thesis problem.
Conducted usability testing comparing the current Spotify app against a new prototype with a podcast bookmarking tool — assessing effectiveness, usability, and user satisfaction across two tasks.
Screen 1 — A minimalistic bookmark icon on the podcast playback screen for easy segment marking without interrupting listening.
Screen 2 — A bookmark creation screen where users can add a title and optional notes, making each bookmark informative and searchable.
Screen 3 — A bookmark management interface that navigates to the podcast's saved bookmarks.
Screen 4 — A straightforward layout for all saved bookmarks, accessible from the main player — enhancing navigation and interaction with saved content.
This project showcased a full UX process — from real user research to mid- and high-fidelity designs — focused on solving a simple but overlooked need. A well-defined problem, backed by user insight, makes the design process smoother and more impactful. Simplicity, when grounded in real needs, creates real value.