Over 38M
music submissions, with email notifications often lost or unanswered.
40%
increase in real-time notifications, improving artist engagement (implemented by SubmitHub after our project).
Over 38M
music submissions, with email notifications often lost or unanswered.
40%
increase in real-time notifications, improving artist engagement (implemented by SubmitHub after our project).
Over 38M
music submissions, with email notifications often lost or unanswered.
40%
increase in real-time notifications, improving artist engagement (implemented by SubmitHub after our project).
SubmitHub 2.0: Revolutionizing Music Submissions
SubmitHub 2.0: Revolutionizing Music Submissions
Developing a mobile app solution to enhance the music submission process, providing artists with intuitive planning and goal-tracking features, enabling effective management of promotional efforts and achieving career milestones with ease.
Developing a mobile app solution to enhance the music submission process, providing artists with intuitive planning and goal-tracking features, enabling effective management of promotional efforts and achieving career milestones with ease.
SubmitHub 2.0: Revolutionizing Music Submissions
Developing a mobile app solution to enhance the music submission process, providing artists with intuitive planning and goal-tracking features, enabling effective management of promotional efforts and achieving career milestones with ease.
SubmitHub 2.0: Revolutionizing Music Submissions
Developing a mobile app solution to enhance the music submission process, providing artists with intuitive planning and goal-tracking features, enabling effective management of promotional efforts and achieving career milestones with ease.
How can we improve music submission experiences for independent artists and curators?
How can we improve music submission experiences for independent artists and curators?
Understanding the Scenario
Understanding the Scenario
SubmitHub, founded by Jason Grishkoff, connects artists with curators, simplifying the music submission process. While effective, the platform lacks a mobile app, which could significantly enhance user accessibility and convenience.
SubmitHub, founded by Jason Grishkoff, connects artists with curators, simplifying the music submission process. While effective, the platform lacks a mobile app, which could significantly enhance user accessibility and convenience.
How can we improve music submission experiences for independent artists and curators?
Understanding the Scenario
SubmitHub, founded by Jason Grishkoff, connects artists with curators, simplifying the music submission process. While effective, the platform lacks a mobile app, which could significantly enhance user accessibility and convenience.
Total Users
1,032,052
Submissions
38,293,144
Approval Rate
30%
Active Curators
1,939
Total Users
1,032,052
Submissions
38,293,144
Approval Rate
30%
Active Curators
1,939
Key data points:
Key data points:
Key data points:
Key insights from our research:
Key insights from our research:
Ease of Use
Ease of Use
Streamlined submission process
Streamlined submission process
Credit System
Credit System
Faster feedback with premium credits
Faster feedback with premium credits
Feedback Mechanism
Feedback Mechanism
Valuable insights for improvement
Valuable insights for improvement
Genre Matching
Genre Matching
Targeted curator matching
Targeted curator
matching
Key insights from our research:
Ease of Use
Streamlined submission process
Credit System
Faster feedback with premium credits
Feedback Mechanism
Valuable insights for improvement
Genre Matching
Targeted curator matching
Our goal is to design a mobile application for SubmitHub, enhancing user experience through improved accessibility, real-time notifications, and streamlined interactions.
Our goal is to design a mobile application for SubmitHub, enhancing user experience through improved accessibility, real-time notifications, and streamlined interactions.
Our goal is to design a mobile application for SubmitHub, enhancing user experience through improved accessibility, real-time notifications, and streamlined interactions.
Deciding on the Main Project Objectives
Deciding on the
Main Project Objectives
Deciding on the Main Project Objectives
Deciding on the
Main Project Objectives
Our project aims to enhance the music submission experience by transforming SubmitHub into a mobile application. By leveraging the core functionalities of SubmitHub and introducing new mobile-friendly features, we intend to provide users with a more accessible and efficient platform.
We believe that the current web-only platform limits user engagement and efficiency. By creating a mobile app, we aim to offer real-time notifications, simplified submission processes, and improved curator tools, ultimately enhancing the overall user experience.
Our project aims to enhance the music submission experience by transforming SubmitHub into a mobile application. By leveraging the core functionalities of SubmitHub and introducing new mobile-friendly features, we intend to provide users with a more accessible and efficient platform.
We believe that the current web-only platform limits user engagement and efficiency. By creating a mobile app, we aim to offer real-time notifications, simplified submission processes, and improved curator tools, ultimately enhancing the overall user experience.
Simplify Submission Processes
Simplify Submission Processes
Simplify Submission Processes
Simplify Submission Processes
Make it easier for artists to submit their music on the go.
Make it easier for artists to submit their music on the go.
Make it easier for artists to submit their music on the go.
Make it easier for artists to submit their music on the go.
Enhance Feedback Mechanism
Enhance Feedback Mechanism
Enhance Feedback Mechanism
Enhance Feedback Mechanism
Provide detailed and structured feedback to artists to help them improve.
Provide detailed and structured feedback to artists to help them improve.
Provide detailed and structured feedback to artists to help them improve.
Provide detailed and structured feedback to artists to help them improve.
Improve User Engagement
Improve User Engagement
Improve User Engagement
Utilize mobile features like push notifications to keep users informed in real-time.
Utilize mobile features like push notifications to keep users informed in real-time.
Utilize mobile features like push notifications to keep users informed in real-time.
Equip Curators with Better Tools
Equip Curators with Better Tools
Equip Curators with Better Tools
Equip Curators with Better Tools
Provide curators with efficient tools to manage and review submissions effectively.
Provide curators with efficient tools to manage and review submissions effectively.
Provide curators with efficient tools to manage and review submissions effectively.
Provide curators with efficient tools to manage and review submissions effectively.
Our main objectives are:
Our main objectives are:
Our main objectives are:
These objectives will help ensure that both artists and curators have a seamless and productive experience, leading to higher satisfaction and better outcomes for music promotion.
These objectives will help ensure that both artists and curators have a seamless and productive experience, leading to higher satisfaction and better outcomes for music promotion.
These objectives will help ensure that both artists and curators have a seamless and productive experience, leading to higher satisfaction and better outcomes for music promotion.
Defining Business Goals
To address the business objectives of transforming SubmitHub into a mobile application, we will use the S.M.A.R.T. methodology, which ensures that our goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Based on the data from the articles and insights on SubmitHub’s current usage and performance, our objectives are:
Defining Business Goals
Defining
Business Goals
To address the business objectives of transforming SubmitHub into a mobile application, we will use the S.M.A.R.T. methodology, which ensures that our goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Based on the data from the articles and insights on SubmitHub’s current usage and performance, our objectives are:
To address the business objectives of transforming SubmitHub into a mobile application, we will use the S.M.A.R.T. methodology, which ensures that our goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Based on the data from the articles and insights on SubmitHub’s current usage and performance, our objectives are:
Increase Premium Submissions
Increase Premium Submissions
Increase Premium Submissions
Aim to increase premium submissions by 15% within 6 months, leveraging the convenience and accessibility of the mobile app.
Aim to increase premium submissions by 15% within 6 months, leveraging the convenience and accessibility of the mobile app.
Aim to increase premium submissions by 15% within 6 months, leveraging the convenience and accessibility of the mobile app.
Boost Curator Engagement
Boost Curator Engagement
Boost Curator Engagement
Increase the active participation of curators by 10% in the first year by providing efficient mobile tools for reviewing and managing submissions.
Increase the active participation of curators by 10% in the first year by providing efficient mobile tools for reviewing and managing submissions.
Increase the active participation of curators by 10% in the first year by providing efficient mobile tools for reviewing and managing submissions.
Expand User Base
Expand User Base
Expand User Base
Increase the number of registered users by 10% in 6 months by offering a seamless and engaging mobile experience.
Increase the number of registered users by 10% in 6 months by offering a seamless and engaging mobile experience.
Increase the number of registered users by 10% in 6 months by offering a seamless and engaging mobile experience.
Improve Feedback Quality
Improve Feedback Quality
Improve Feedback Quality
Enhance the quality of feedback by 20% in the first quarter, ensuring curators provide detailed and constructive comments through the app’s structured feedback system.
Enhance the quality of feedback by 20% in the first quarter, ensuring curators provide detailed and constructive comments through the app’s structured feedback system.
Enhance the quality of feedback by 20% in the first quarter, ensuring curators provide detailed and constructive comments through the app’s structured feedback system.
These goals will help ensure that the mobile app not only enhances user experience but also contributes to SubmitHub’s growth and success in the competitive music promotion market.
These goals will help ensure that the mobile app not only enhances user experience but also contributes to SubmitHub’s growth and success in the competitive music promotion market.
These goals will help ensure that the mobile app not only enhances user experience but also contributes to SubmitHub’s growth and success in the competitive music promotion market.
Getting to Know Users
Getting to Know Users
To better understand the market and achieve our projected goals, we developed personas representing the majority of SubmitHub users. These personas help us identify the main difficulties and complaints of our target audience and think of opportunities and solutions to address their pain points.
Based on our quantitative and qualitative research, we established two main personas:
To better understand the market and achieve our projected goals, we developed personas representing the majority of SubmitHub users. These personas help us identify the main difficulties and complaints of our target audience and think of opportunities and solutions to address their pain points.
Based on our quantitative and qualitative research, we established two main personas:
Getting to Know Users
To better understand the market and achieve our projected goals, we developed personas representing the majority of SubmitHub users. These personas help us identify the main difficulties and complaints of our target audience and think of opportunities and solutions to address their pain points.
Based on our quantitative and qualitative research, we established two main personas:
Detailed Personas:
Independent Artist “Alex” - 28
Independent Musician
Goals:
Get music heard by curators and influencers
Gain constructive feedback to improve tracks
Increase exposure and fan base
Pain Points:
Long wait times for feedback
Limited budget for premium submissions
Difficulty tracking submission statuses
How the App Helps:
Real-Time Notifications: Instant updates on submission statuses and feedback, reducing anxiety and keeping Alex informed on the go.
Easy Submissions: Streamlined submission process with a few taps, making it convenient to submit music anytime, anywhere.
Cost Management: Better visibility of credit usage and available discounts, helping manage the budget effectively.
Curator “Jordan” - 35
Music Blogger and Playlist Curator
Goals:
Discover new and exciting music
Provide meaningful feedback to artists
Maintain high-quality playlists and blog content
Pain Points:
Overwhelmed by the volume of submissions
Difficulty managing and organizing multiple tracks
Time-consuming feedback process
How the App Helps:
Efficient Review Tools: Mobile tools to filter, sort, and manage submissions easily, saving time and reducing overwhelm.
On-the-Go Management: Ability to review and provide feedback anywhere, enhancing productivity.
Improved Communication: Direct messaging with artists for follow-ups, streamlining the feedback and approval process.
Curator “Jordan” - 35
Music Blogger and Playlist Curator
Goals:
Discover new and exciting music
Provide meaningful feedback to artists
Maintain high-quality playlists and blog content
Pain Points:
Overwhelmed by the volume of submissions
Difficulty managing and organizing multiple tracks
Time-consuming feedback process
How the App Helps:
Efficient Review Tools: Mobile tools to filter, sort, and manage submissions easily, saving time and reducing overwhelm.
On-the-Go Management: Ability to review and provide feedback anywhere, enhancing productivity.
Improved Communication: Direct messaging with artists for follow-ups, streamlining the feedback and approval process.
Independent Artist “Alex” - 28
Independent Artist “Alex” - 28
Independent Musician
Independent Musician
Goals:
Get music heard by curators and influencers
Gain constructive feedback to improve tracks
Increase exposure and fan base
Goals:
Get music heard by curators and influencers
Gain constructive feedback to improve tracks
Increase exposure and fan base
Pain Points:
Long wait times for feedback
Limited budget for premium submissions
Difficulty tracking submission statuses
Pain Points:
Long wait times for feedback
Limited budget for premium submissions
Difficulty tracking submission statuses
How the App Helps:
Real-Time Notifications: Instant updates on submission statuses and feedback, reducing anxiety and keeping Alex informed on the go.
Easy Submissions: Streamlined submission process with a few taps, making it convenient to submit music anytime, anywhere.
Cost Management: Better visibility of credit usage and available discounts, helping manage the budget effectively.
How the App Helps:
Real-Time Notifications: Instant updates on submission statuses and feedback, reducing anxiety and keeping Alex informed on the go.
Easy Submissions: Streamlined submission process with a few taps, making it convenient to submit music anytime, anywhere.
Cost Management: Better visibility of credit usage and available discounts, helping manage the budget effectively.
Detailed Personas:
Detailed Personas:
Music Blogger and Playlist Curator
Music Blogger and Playlist Curator
Curator “Jordan” - 35
Curator “Jordan” - 35
Goals:
Discover new and exciting music
Provide meaningful feedback to artists
Maintain high-quality playlists and blog content
Goals:
Discover new and exciting music
Provide meaningful feedback to artists
Maintain high-quality playlists and blog content
Pain Points:
Overwhelmed by the volume of submissions
Difficulty managing and organizing multiple tracks
Time-consuming feedback process
Pain Points:
Overwhelmed by the volume of submissions
Difficulty managing and organizing multiple tracks
Time-consuming feedback process
How the App Helps:
Efficient Review Tools: Mobile tools to filter, sort, and manage submissions easily, saving time and reducing overwhelm.
On-the-Go Management: Ability to review and provide feedback anywhere, enhancing productivity.
Improved Communication: Direct messaging with artists for follow-ups, streamlining the feedback and approval process.
How the App Helps:
Efficient Review Tools: Mobile tools to filter, sort, and manage submissions easily, saving time and reducing overwhelm.
On-the-Go Management: Ability to review and provide feedback anywhere, enhancing productivity.
Improved Communication: Direct messaging with artists for follow-ups, streamlining the feedback and approval process.
By addressing the specific needs of both Alex and Jordan, the SubmitHub mobile app can significantly enhance user experience, making music submission and curation more accessible, efficient, and effective.
By addressing the specific needs of both Alex and Jordan, the SubmitHub mobile app can significantly enhance user experience, making music submission and curation more accessible, efficient, and effective.
By addressing the specific needs of both Alex and Jordan, the SubmitHub mobile app can significantly enhance user experience, making music submission and curation more accessible, efficient, and effective.
Context of the User’s Experience
Context of the User’s Experience
Context of the User’s Experience
Once our personas are established, we seek to better understand how each currently navigates their music submission and curation process without the SubmitHub mobile app. By using the user journey approach, we visualize opportunities for improvement and address real problems.
Once our personas are established, we seek to better understand how each currently navigates their music submission and curation process without the SubmitHub mobile app. By using the user journey approach, we visualize opportunities for improvement and address real problems.
Once our personas are established, we seek to better understand how each currently navigates their music submission and curation process without the SubmitHub mobile app. By using the user journey approach, we visualize opportunities for improvement and address real problems.
Independent Artist “Alex”
Scenario:
Manages to submit music and receive feedback, but it’s not as efficient as it could be due to the poor user experience on the responsive website.
Goals & Expectations:
Wants to streamline the submission process, receive real-time updates, and manage submissions easily.
User Journey for Alex
Manages Submissions:
Uses desktop or responsive website to submit music, tracks progress manually.
Sets Goals:
Aims to increase exposure, receive quality feedback, and manage submissions efficiently.
Generates Music:
Creates and submits music to various curators.
Checks Feedback:
Waits for email updates, often experiences delays.
Plans Next Submission:
Based on feedback, plans future submissions and improvements.
What Alex Does:
Submits music via desktop or the unoptimized responsive website.
Waits for email notifications.
Tracks submissions by a confusing dashboard.
What Alex Thinks:
“Submitting music could be easier.”
“I wish I had real-time updates.”
“It’s hard to keep track of everything.”
What Alex Feels:
Frustrated by delays
Anxious about missed opportunities
Relieved when feedback finally arrives
Opportunities:
Streamlined mobile submissions.
Real-time notifications.
Integrated tracking and management tools.
Curator “Jordan”
Scenario:
Reviews submissions and provides feedback but finds the process time-consuming and cumbersome on the responsive website.
Goals & Expectations:
Seeks efficient tools for reviewing music, providing feedback, and managing communications.
User Journey for Jordan
Manages Submissions:
Reviews music on a desktop or responsive website, tracks progress manually.
Sets Goals:
Aims to discover new music, provide quality feedback, and manage submissions efficiently.
Generates Reviews:
Reviews submitted music, provides feedback to artists.
Checks Submissions:
Monitors new submissions and updates.
Plans Next Review:
Based on previous reviews, plans future reviews and communication.
What Jordan Does:
Reviews music on a desktop or the unoptimized responsive website.
Provides feedback via email.
Manages submissions manually.
What Alex Thinks:
“There must be a more efficient way to do this.”
“I need better tools to manage my workflow.”
“Communication with artists could be streamlined.”
What Jordan Feels:
Overwhelmed by the volume of submissions
Stressed by inefficiencies
Satisfied when feedback is appreciated
Opportunities:
Mobile review tool.
Structured feedback system
Direct communication features
Independent Artist “Alex”
Independent Artist “Alex”
Scenario:
Manages to submit music and receive feedback, but it’s not as efficient as it could be due to the poor user experience on the responsive website.
Scenario:
Manages to submit music and receive feedback, but it’s not as efficient as it could be due to the poor user experience on the responsive website.
Goals & Expectations:
Wants to streamline the submission process, receive real-time updates, and manage submissions easily.
Goals & Expectations:
Wants to streamline the submission process, receive real-time updates, and manage submissions easily.
User Journey for Alex
User Journey for Alex
Manages Submissions:
Manages Submissions:
Uses desktop or responsive website to submit music, tracks progress manually.
Uses desktop or responsive website to submit music, tracks progress manually.
Uses desktop or responsive website to submit music, tracks progress manually.
Sets Goals:
Sets Goals:
Aims to increase exposure, receive quality feedback, and manage submissions efficiently.
Aims to increase exposure, receive quality feedback, and manage submissions efficiently.
Aims to increase exposure, receive quality feedback, and manage submissions efficiently.
Generates Music:
Generates Music:
Creates and submits music to various curators.
Creates and submits music to various curators.
Creates and submits music to various curators.
Checks Feedback:
Checks
Feedback:
Waits for email updates, often experiences delays.
Waits for email updates, often experiences delays.
Waits for email updates, often experiences delays.
Plans Next Submission:
Plans Next
Submission:
Based on feedback, plans future submissions and improvements.
Based on feedback, plans future submissions and improvements.
Based on feedback, plans future submissions and improvements.
What Alex Does:
What Alex Does:
Submits music via desktop or the unoptimized responsive website.
Submits music via desktop or the unoptimized responsive website.
Waits for email notifications.
Waits for email notifications.
Tracks submissions by a confusing dashboard.
Tracks submissions by a confusing dashboard.
What Alex Thinks:
What Alex Thinks:
“Submitting music could be easier.”
“Submitting music could be easier.”
“I wish I had real-time updates.”
“I wish I had real-time updates.”
“It’s hard to keep track of everything.”
“It’s hard to keep track of everything.”
What Alex Feels:
What Alex Feels:
Frustrated by delays
Frustrated by
delays
Anxious about missed opportunities
Anxious about missed
opportunities
Relieved when feedback finally arrives
Relieved when
feedback finally arrives
Opportunities:
Opportunities:
Streamlined mobile submissions.
Streamlined mobile submissions.
Real-time notifications.
Real-time notifications.
Integrated tracking and management tools.
Integrated tracking and management tools.
Opportunities:
Streamlined mobile submissions.
Real-time notifications.
Integrated tracking and management tools.
Curator “Jordan”
Curator “Jordan”
Scenario:
Reviews submissions and provides feedback but finds the process time-consuming and cumbersome on the responsive website.
Scenario:
Reviews submissions and provides feedback but finds the process time-consuming and cumbersome on the responsive website.
Goals & Expectations:
Seeks efficient tools for reviewing music, providing feedback, and managing communications.
Goals & Expectations:
Seeks efficient tools for reviewing music, providing feedback, and managing communications.
User Journey for Jordan
User Journey for Jordan
Manages Submissions:
Manages
Submissions:
Reviews music on a desktop or responsive website, tracks progress manually.
Reviews music on a desktop or responsive website, tracks progress manually.
Reviews music on a desktop or responsive website, tracks progress manually.
Sets Goals:
Sets Goals:
Aims to discover new music, provide quality feedback, and manage submissions efficiently.
Aims to discover new music, provide quality feedback, and manage submissions efficiently.
Aims to discover new music, provide quality feedback, and manage submissions efficiently.
Generates Reviews:
Generates
Reviews:
Reviews submitted music, provides feedback to artists.
Reviews submitted music, provides feedback to artists.
Reviews submitted music, provides feedback to artists.
Checks Submissions:
Checks
Submissions:
Monitors new submissions and updates.
Monitors new submissions and updates.
Monitors new submissions and updates.
Plans Next Review:
Plans Next Review:
Based on previous reviews, plans future reviews and communication.
Based on previous reviews, plans future reviews and communication.
Based on previous reviews, plans future reviews and communication.
What Jordan Does:
What Jordan Does:
Reviews music on a desktop or the unoptimized responsive website.
Reviews music on a desktop or the unoptimized responsive website.
Provides feedback via email.
Provides feedback via email.
Manages submissions manually.
Manages submissions manually.
What Jordan Thinks:
What Jordan Thinks:
“There must be a more efficient way to do this.”
“There must be a more efficient way to do this.”
“I need better tools to manage my workflow.”
“I need better tools to manage my workflow.”
“Communication with artists could be streamlined.”
“Communication with artists could be streamlined.”
What Jordan Feels:
What Jordan Feels:
Overwhelmed by the volume of submissions
Overwhelmed by the volume of submissions
Stressed by inefficiencies
Stressed by inefficiencies
Satisfied when feedback is appreciated
Satisfied when feedback is appreciated
Opportunities:
Mobile review tool.
Mobile review tool.
Structured feedback system
Structured feedback system
Direct communication features
Direct communication features
Focusing on the Artist Experience: Prioritizing Our Primary User Base
Focusing on the Artist Experience:
Prioritizing Our Primary User Base
Focusing on the Artist Experience: Prioritizing Our Primary User Base
As we proceed with the project, we will focus exclusively on enhancing the artist experience within the SubmitHub mobile app. This decision stems from our aim to prioritize the primary user base—independent artists—who represent the largest segment of the platform's audience. By concentrating on the artist experience, we ensure that we address the most critical needs and provide the greatest impact on user satisfaction and engagement. The curator experience, while essential, will be explored in depth in a future phase of this project, allowing us to dedicate the necessary resources and attention to optimize both experiences sequentially.
As we proceed with the project, we will focus exclusively on enhancing the artist experience within the SubmitHub mobile app. This decision stems from our aim to prioritize the primary user base—independent artists—who represent the largest segment of the platform's audience. By concentrating on the artist experience, we ensure that we address the most critical needs and provide the greatest impact on user satisfaction and engagement. The curator experience, while essential, will be explored in depth in a future phase of this project, allowing us to dedicate the necessary resources and attention to optimize both experiences sequentially.
As we proceed with the project, we will focus exclusively on enhancing the artist experience within the SubmitHub mobile app. This decision stems from our aim to prioritize the primary user base—independent artists—who represent the largest segment of the platform's audience. By concentrating on the artist experience, we ensure that we address the most critical needs and provide the greatest impact on user satisfaction and engagement. The curator experience, while essential, will be explored in depth in a future phase of this project, allowing us to dedicate the necessary resources and attention to optimize both experiences sequentially.
Focusing on the Artist Experience: Prioritizing Our Primary User Base
As we proceed with the project, we will focus exclusively on enhancing the artist experience within the SubmitHub mobile app. This decision stems from our aim to prioritize the primary user base—independent artists—who represent the largest segment of the platform's audience. By concentrating on the artist experience, we ensure that we address the most critical needs and provide the greatest impact on user satisfaction and engagement. The curator experience, while essential, will be explored in depth in a future phase of this project, allowing us to dedicate the necessary resources and attention to optimize both experiences sequentially.
First Validation Step
First Validation Step
First Validation Step
After defining the personas and their journeys, we used the CSD matrix to list certainties, suppositions, and doubts from both the independent artist and curator perspectives. Then, we prioritized these suppositions and doubts with the help of the impact vs. knowledge matrix and developed hypotheses that served as a basis for designing our initial quantitative research questions.
After defining the personas and their journeys, we used the CSD matrix to list certainties, suppositions, and doubts from both the independent artist and curator perspectives. Then, we prioritized these suppositions and doubts with the help of the impact vs. knowledge matrix and developed hypotheses that served as a basis for designing our initial quantitative research questions.
After defining the personas and their journeys, we used the CSD matrix to list certainties, suppositions, and doubts from both the independent artist and curator perspectives. Then, we prioritized these suppositions and doubts with the help of the impact vs. knowledge matrix and developed hypotheses that served as a basis for designing our initial quantitative research questions.
Certainties, Suppositions, and Doubts (CSD) Matrix:
Certainties:
Real-time notifications are crucial for keeping track of submission statuses.
Submitting via the current responsive website is cumbersome, especially when the song is already on their phone.
Personalized pitches improve the likelihood of acceptance.
Constructive feedback is valued for improving future submissions.
The current experience requires desktop use, which is inconvenient.
Suppositions:
A mobile app will streamline the submission process.
In-app notifications will improve engagement and satisfaction.
Integrated management tools will simplify tracking multiple submissions.
The ability to submit directly from their phone, where their music is stored, will enhance the user experience.
Doubts:
Will the mobile app be adopted over the responsive website?
Will the app handle the same volume of submissions without performance issues?
Will artists trust the mobile app with their music submissions?
Impact vs. Effort Matrix:
High Impact, Low Effort:
Adoption rate of the mobile app
User satisfaction with the mobile app
High Impact, High Effort:
Real-time notifications
Streamlined submission processes
Low Impact, Low Effort:
Comparative efficiency of mobile vs. desktop
Low Impact, High Effort:
Volume handling capability
Trust in the mobile app
Impact vs. Effort Matrix:
Impact vs. Effort Matrix:
Adoption rate of the mobile app
Trust in the mobile app
Volume handling capability
Streamlined submission processes
User satisfaction with the mobile app
Real-time notifications
Comparative efficiency of mobile vs. desktop
High Impact
High Effort
Low Impact
Low Effort
Adoption rate of the mobile app
Trust in the mobile app
Volume handling capability
Streamlined submission processes
User satisfaction with the mobile app
Real-time notifications
Comparative efficiency of mobile vs. desktop
High Impact
High Effort
Low Impact
Low Effort
By prioritizing these suppositions and doubts, we focused on the most critical areas that required validation. This guided the development of our hypotheses and initial quantitative research questions.
By prioritizing these suppositions and doubts, we focused on the most critical areas that required validation. This guided the development of our hypotheses and initial quantitative research questions.
By prioritizing these suppositions and doubts, we focused on the most critical areas that required validation. This guided the development of our hypotheses and initial quantitative research questions.
Hypotheses Development
Hypotheses Development
Based on our prioritization and research, we developed the following hypotheses to test in our initial research phase, specifically tailored to the artist experience:
Based on our prioritization and research, we developed the following hypotheses to test in our initial research phase, specifically tailored to the artist experience:
Hypothesis 1
The mobile app will increase submission efficiency for artists
by at least
30%
compared to the current responsive website.
Hypothesis 1
The mobile app will increase submission efficiency for artists
by at least
30%
compared to the current responsive website.
Hypothesis 2
Real-time notifications will improve artist engagement and satisfaction by
40%
Hypothesis 2
Real-time notifications will improve artist engagement and satisfaction by
40%
Hypothesis 3
Artists will trust the mobile app with their submissions as much as the desktop version.
Hypothesis 3
Artists will trust the mobile app with their submissions as much as the desktop version.
Hypothesis 4
The mobile app will handle the same volume of submissions effectively without performance issues.
Hypothesis 4
The mobile app will handle the same volume of submissions effectively without performance issues.
These hypotheses will guide our initial research, helping us validate the proposed mobile app’s effectiveness and user acceptance from the artist’s perspective.
These hypotheses will guide our initial research, helping us validate the proposed mobile app’s effectiveness and user acceptance from the artist’s perspective.
These hypotheses will guide our initial research, helping us validate the proposed mobile app’s effectiveness and user acceptance from the artist’s perspective.
Research Findings
Research Findings
Research Findings
Quantitative Survey Results for Independent Artists
Quantitative Survey Results for Independent Artists
Quantitative Survey Results for Independent Artists
Age Range:
Age Range:
Age Range:
18 to 39 years old
18 to 39 years old
18 to 39 years old
Total Responses:
Total Responses:
Total Responses:
149
149
149
Key Insights:
Key Insights:
Key Insights:
Key Insights:
Current Usage of SubmitHub:
Current Usage of SubmitHub:
Current Usage of SubmitHub:
82%
82%
82%
of artists find it difficult to navigate the mobile version of SubmitHub’s website.
of artists find it difficult to navigate the mobile version of SubmitHub’s website.
of artists find it difficult to navigate the mobile version of SubmitHub’s website.
75%
75%
75%
of respondents use the desktop version for submissions due to poor mobile experience.
of respondents use the desktop version for submissions due to poor mobile experience.
of respondents use the desktop version for submissions due to poor mobile experience.
Submission Process:
Submission Process:
Submission Process:
68%
68%
68%
believe an app would simplify the submission process.
believe an app would simplify the submission process.
believe an app would simplify the submission process.
72%
72%
72%
have their music files and details on their mobile devices, making an app more convenient.
have their music files and details on their mobile devices, making an app more convenient.
have their music files and details on their mobile devices, making an app more convenient.
Feedback Experience:
Feedback Experience:
Feedback Experience:
63%
63%
63%
value the feedback received, though 48% find it inconsistent.
value the feedback received, though 48% find it inconsistent.
value the feedback received, though 48% find it inconsistent.
57%
57%
57%
would prefer real-time notifications on their mobile devices.
would prefer real-time notifications on their mobile devices.
would prefer real-time notifications on their mobile devices.
Overall Satisfaction:
Overall Satisfaction:
Overall Satisfaction:
71%
71%
71%
are satisfied with the current desktop service but believe an app would enhance their overall experience.
are satisfied with the current desktop service but believe an app would enhance their overall experience.
are satisfied with the current desktop service but believe an app would enhance their overall experience.
39%
39%
39%
have never used an app to manage their submissions due to the lack of a dedicated SubmitHub app.
have never used an app to manage their submissions due to the lack of a dedicated SubmitHub app.
have never used an app to manage their submissions due to the lack of a dedicated SubmitHub app.
Conclusion
The quantitative survey results and user feedback indicate a strong demand for a dedicated SubmitHub mobile app tailored to independent artists. Artists believe that the app would significantly enhance their user experience by making the music submission process more convenient, efficient, and manageable.
By focusing on features such as real-time notifications, streamlined submission workflows, and an easy-to-navigate interface, the app has the potential to greatly increase artist engagement, satisfaction, and overall success in promoting their music.
The quantitative survey results and user feedback indicate a strong demand for a dedicated SubmitHub mobile app tailored to independent artists. Artists believe that the app would significantly enhance their user experience by making the music submission process more convenient, efficient, and manageable.
By focusing on features such as real-time notifications, streamlined submission workflows, and an easy-to-navigate interface, the app has the potential to greatly increase artist engagement, satisfaction, and overall success in promoting their music.
Conclusion
The quantitative survey results and user feedback indicate a strong demand for a dedicated SubmitHub mobile app tailored to independent artists. Artists believe that the app would significantly enhance their user experience by making the music submission process more convenient, efficient, and manageable.
By focusing on features such as real-time notifications, streamlined submission workflows, and an easy-to-navigate interface, the app has the potential to greatly increase artist engagement, satisfaction, and overall success in promoting their music.
Creating Proximity to the Main Correspondents
Creating Proximity to the Main Correspondents
Creating Proximity to the Main Correspondents
After analyzing the results of the quantitative surveys, we selected 6 artists from the questionnaires whose responses aligned with the majority, to participate in qualitative research. This process helped us gain deeper insights into their motivations, challenges, and goals regarding the use of SubmitHub.
We conducted semi-structured interviews via video calls, allowing flexibility in questioning and ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their needs. Each interview involved two team members to optimize data collection and active listening.
After analyzing the results of the quantitative surveys, we selected 6 artists from the questionnaires whose responses aligned with the majority, to participate in qualitative research. This process helped us gain deeper insights into their motivations, challenges, and goals regarding the use of SubmitHub.
We conducted semi-structured interviews via video calls, allowing flexibility in questioning and ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their needs. Each interview involved two team members to optimize data collection and active listening.
After analyzing the results of the quantitative surveys, we selected 6 artists from the questionnaires whose responses aligned with the majority, to participate in qualitative research. This process helped us gain deeper insights into their motivations, challenges, and goals regarding the use of SubmitHub.
We conducted semi-structured interviews via video calls, allowing flexibility in questioning and ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their needs. Each interview involved two team members to optimize data collection and active listening.
Key Learnings from the Research:
Key Learnings from the Research:
Key Learnings from the Research:
Independent Artists:
Convenience and Ease of Use:
“I find it really frustrating to have to sit at my computer to submit my songs when all my music and information are on my phone.”
“I find it really frustrating to have to sit at my computer to submit my songs when all my music and information are on my phone.”
“I find it really frustrating to have to sit at my computer to submit my songs when all my music and information are on my phone.”
“A mobile app would make it so much easier to submit my tracks quickly and keep up with notifications.”
“A mobile app would make it so much easier to submit my tracks quickly and keep up with notifications.”
“A mobile app would make it so much easier to submit my tracks quickly and keep up with notifications.”
Challenges Identified for Artists:
Challenges Identified for Artists:
Challenges Identified for Artists:
“Managing submissions on the go is almost impossible without a dedicated mobile app.”
“Managing submissions on the go is almost impossible without a dedicated mobile app.”
“Managing submissions on the go is almost impossible without a dedicated mobile app.”
“The quality of feedback varies too much, making it hard to know how to improve.”
“The quality of feedback varies too much, making it hard to know how to improve.”
“The quality of feedback varies too much, making it hard to know how to improve.”
Need for Constructive Feedback:
“Sometimes the feedback I get is really inconsistent and unhelpful. I need more constructive and actionable feedback.”
Need for Constructive Feedback:
“Sometimes the feedback I get is really inconsistent and unhelpful. I need more constructive and actionable feedback.”
“Sometimes the feedback I get is really inconsistent and unhelpful. I need more constructive and actionable feedback.”
“Sometimes the feedback I get is really inconsistent and unhelpful. I need more constructive and actionable feedback.”
By addressing these challenges and leveraging the insights from independent artists, the development of a SubmitHub mobile app can significantly enhance the user experience and engagement by focusing on ease of use, mobile accessibility, and consistent feedback.
By addressing these challenges and leveraging the insights from independent artists, the development of a SubmitHub mobile app can significantly enhance the user experience and engagement by focusing on ease of use, mobile accessibility, and consistent feedback.
By addressing these challenges and leveraging the insights from independent artists, the development of a SubmitHub mobile app can significantly enhance the user experience and engagement by focusing on ease of use, mobile accessibility, and consistent feedback.
Key Learnings from the Research:
Key Learnings from the Research:
Key Learnings from the Research:
1. Streamlined Submission Process:
Integrate with music apps like Spotify for easy song submissions.
Integrate with music apps like Spotify for easy song submissions.
Integrate with music apps like Spotify for easy song submissions.
Provide real-time notifications and updates.
Provide real-time notifications and updates.
Provide real-time notifications and updates.
2. Consistent Feedback Mechanism:
Standardize feedback templates to ensure more valuable and actionable responses for artists.
Standardize feedback templates to ensure more valuable and actionable responses for artists.
Standardize feedback templates to ensure more valuable and actionable responses for artists.
3. User Engagement:
Use gamification and rewards to motivate consistent use and interaction on the platform.
Use gamification and rewards to motivate consistent use and interaction on the platform.
Use gamification and rewards to motivate consistent use and interaction on the platform.
This approach ensures that the app meets the specific needs of independent artists, providing a more efficient and enjoyable experience for managing music submissions.
This approach ensures that the app meets the specific needs of independent artists, providing a more efficient and enjoyable experience for managing music submissions.
This approach ensures that the app meets the specific needs of independent artists, providing a more efficient and enjoyable experience for managing music submissions.
Visual Representation:
Artists:
“Using the desktop site is cumbersome.”
Artists:
“Using the desktop site is cumbersome.”
Artists:
“Using the desktop site is cumbersome.”
“A mobile app would make it so much easier to submit and track my songs.”
“A mobile app would make it so much easier to submit and track my songs.”
“A mobile app would make it so much easier to submit and track my songs.”
By implementing these findings, the SubmitHub mobile app can provide a more user-friendly and efficient platform for artists, driving better engagement and satisfaction.
By implementing these findings, the SubmitHub mobile app can provide a more user-friendly and efficient platform for artists, driving better engagement and satisfaction.
By implementing these findings, the SubmitHub mobile app can provide a more user-friendly and efficient platform for artists, driving better engagement and satisfaction.
Studying the Solution Alternatives
Studying the Solution Alternatives
Based on the lessons learned through field research, we built a framework using the “How could we” technique to better understand our opportunities and insights specific to artists. We then used an impact vs. effort matrix to identify which solutions to prioritize during development, considering:
How much value it would bring to the artists.
How much return it would bring to the business.
The effort required for technical feasibility.
Based on the lessons learned through field research, we built a framework using the “How could we” technique to better understand our opportunities and insights specific to artists. We then used an impact vs. effort matrix to identify which solutions to prioritize during development, considering:
How much value it would bring to the artists.
How much return it would bring to the business.
The effort required for technical feasibility.
The prioritized opportunities and insights were:
The prioritized opportunities and insights were:
How could we enhance the submission process for artists?
How could we enhance the submission process for artists?
How could we enhance the submission process for artists?
High impact: Simplifies the process, saves time, and avoids errors.
Low effort: Integrates submission functionalities into a mobile-friendly format.
High impact: Simplifies the process, saves time, and avoids errors.
Low effort: Integrates submission functionalities into a mobile-friendly format.
High impact: Simplifies the process, saves time, and avoids errors.
Low effort: Integrates submission functionalities into a mobile-friendly format.
Insight:
Automating the submission process and providing notifications on mobile will improve artist engagement and reduce errors.
Automating the submission process and providing notifications on mobile will improve artist engagement and reduce errors.
Automating the submission process and providing notifications on mobile will improve artist engagement and reduce errors.
How could we make it easier for artists to track their submissions?
How could we make it easier for artists to track their submissions?
How could we make it easier for artists to track their submissions?
High impact: Artists need to see where their submissions stand and follow up efficiently.
Low effort: Develop a tracking feature within the mobile app.
High impact: Artists need to see where their submissions stand and follow up efficiently.
Low effort: Develop a tracking feature within the mobile app.
High impact: Artists need to see where their submissions stand and follow up efficiently.
Low effort: Develop a tracking feature within the mobile app.
Insight:
A tracking dashboard will allow artists to see submission statuses, feedback received, and success rates in real-time.
A tracking dashboard will allow artists to see submission statuses, feedback received, and success rates in real-time.
A tracking dashboard will allow artists to see submission statuses, feedback received, and success rates in real-time.
How could we improve user engagement with real-time updates and notifications?
How could we improve user engagement with real-time updates and notifications?
How could we improve user engagement with real-time updates and notifications?
High impact: Keeps artists informed and engaged with the app.
Low effort: Utilize the app’s notification system.
High impact: Keeps artists informed and engaged with the app.
Low effort: Utilize the app’s notification system.
High impact: Keeps artists informed and engaged with the app.
Low effort: Utilize the app’s notification system.
Insight:
Real-time updates and notifications about submission status changes, new opportunities, and feedback received will help maintain artist engagement.
Real-time updates and notifications about submission status changes, new opportunities, and feedback received will help maintain artist engagement.
Real-time updates and notifications about submission status changes, new opportunities, and feedback received will help maintain artist engagement.
By focusing on these prioritized insights, we can ensure that the mobile app delivers high value to artists while remaining technically feasible and aligned with business goals.
By focusing on these prioritized insights, we can ensure that the mobile app delivers high value to artists while remaining technically feasible and aligned with business goals.
By focusing on these prioritized insights, we can ensure that the mobile app delivers high value to artists while remaining technically feasible and aligned with business goals.
Final High-Fidelity Mockups for SubmitHub
Final High-Fidelity Mockups for SubmitHub
Based on comprehensive user research and feedback, we have created high-fidelity mockups for the SubmitHub mobile app. These designs, crafted with a focus on independent artists’ needs, will be presented to Jason Grishkoff, SubmitHub’s founder and CEO.
Our mockups reflect user insights and proposed ideas to enhance the app’s usability and engagement, offering a mobile experience that aligns with both user expectations and SubmitHub’s goals.
Based on comprehensive user research and feedback, we have created high-fidelity mockups for the SubmitHub mobile app. These designs, crafted with a focus on independent artists’ needs, will be presented to Jason Grishkoff, SubmitHub’s founder and CEO.
Our mockups reflect user insights and proposed ideas to enhance the app’s usability and engagement, offering a mobile experience that aligns with both user expectations and SubmitHub’s goals.
The full Figma project, showcasing all design details, is ready for review.
The full Figma project, showcasing all design details, is ready for review.
