Arch
Arch is a new mobile application that connects emerging artists and fans through interactive and convenient merch experiences.
Timeline
Feb-April 2024
6 weeks
My Role
-Solo designer
-Managed branding, design system, wireframes, and prototyping
-Synthesized user interviews and all research findings
Project Type
Academic Team Project
Instructor: Ayça Akin, Daphne Peters
Team: Sy Suo, Amanda Qian, Alex Chung
Tools
Figma
AfterEffects
User Research
Collaboration
Background
In a world where social media and virtual content often overshadow live events, we aimed to rekindle the appeal of live concerts in Pittsburgh with a new service design.
Task details
Increase the appeal and relevance of live events to new and exisisting audiences, starting from investigating live events and venues in Pittsburgh.
Design multichannel services that are digital, physical, analog, and interpersonal.
Summary
Arch is a service platform designed to strengthen the bond between small, local artists and their fans by providing a smoother, hassle-free concert merchandise shopping experience.
Solution
After 4 weeks of research, we arrived at a service concept, Arch.
As the solo designer on my team, I spearheaded the mobile app prototype.
Arch offers emerging artists a platform to create and sell merchandise with increased visibility. By leveraging fan engagement through online voting, Arch aims to boost artists' revenue while fostering a stronger sense of community among fans.
01/ Main Features
FEATURE 1-DISCOVER
What's new in Pittsburgh?
Users can effortlessly browse local live events and discover new merch releases, curated based on their location and preferences.
FEATURE 2-HOME
Stay updated on merch votes and orders
A personalized homepage allows users to track new merch votes and their merch orders.
FEATURE 3-VOTE
Cast a vote to show your support
Users can support their favorite local artists' goals through online voting. Their choices help shape the final designs and manufacture.
FEATURE 4-PICK-UP
Pick up at your convenience
Users can easily schedule self pick-ups and track their ordered items.
FEATURE 5- EASY QR TAP
No Line. Just a Tap.
With just a touch, users can activate a scannable QR code at concerts to quickly check their orders and retrieve merch items without waiting in long lines.
02/ Problem Space
PROBLEM SPACE
Why merch?
Through our preliminary research about concert ecosystem, we discovered that concert merch is crucial for both artists and fans. Merch acts as a bridge between artists and fans, enhancing the overall music experience.
INITIAL SERVICE CONCEPT
Merch pick-up service without long lines
Because our task was to address a single impactful physical issue through a multichannel service design, we initially developed a concept that allows concert-goers to pick up merchandise without waiting in long lines.
03/ Research
& User Journey
CONSTITUENT INTERVIEWS
What are the real issues behind long lines?
To understand the different issues and needs surrounding concert merchandise, our team conducted extensive research over four weeks.
We employed various methods, including interviews, speed dating, storytelling, value flow diagramming, ecosystem mapping, affinity diagramming, user journey mapping, and prototyping.
I interviewed 3 fans and 2 artists, including a Pittsburgh-based rapper, Fungiflows, and a DJ crew called Taal. Our goal was to understand the value that custom merch brings to emerging local artists, what fans seek, and how they evaluate the current shopping experience.
PAINPOINTS DEEP DIVE
Investigating the unmet needs
Through our constituent interviews, we uncovered various underlying issues, such as demand uncertainty for artists and lack of availability for fans. Additionally, we learned that fans of small artists buy merchandise not just for fun, but as a form of support.
To design a service that properly addresses these needs, we asked the following questions:
RESEARCH Frameworks
Exploring opportunities in the current ecosystem
key insights
Aligning fans' desires with artists' needs
By using diverse research frameworks and synthesizing findings from our interviews, we identified key insights.
