AI concept
Conversational User Interfaces (CUI)
Motion Design
Cura, Spotify's empathetic AI that curates your emotions
What would AI look like, when it can understand your emotions through the voice you are interacting with Cura is an empathetic AI designed for Spotify.
My Role
1. End-to-end design process 2. AI Brand Identity Development 3. Entire Motion Design
Timeline
4 weeks
team
2 designers Alex & Jean
Tools
Figma Trapcode AfterEffects
AI concept
Conversational User Interfaces (CUI)
Motion Design
Cura, Spotify's empathetic AI that curates your emotions
What would AI look like, when it can understand your emotions through the voice you are interacting with Cura is an empathetic AI designed for Spotify.
My Role
1. End-to-end design process 2. AI Brand Identity Development 3. Entire Motion Design
Timeline
4 weeks
team
2 designers Alex & Jean
Tools
Figma Trapcode AfterEffects
AI concept
Conversational User Interfaces (CUI)
Motion Design
Cura, Spotify's empathetic AI that curates your emotions
What would AI look like, when it can understand your emotions through the voice you are interacting with Cura is an empathetic AI designed for Spotify.
My Role
1. End-to-end design process 2. AI Brand Identity Development 3. Entire Motion Design
Timeline
4 weeks
team
2 designers Alex & Jean
Tools
Figma Trapcode AfterEffects
Overview
overview
overview
Understand your emotions.
Enjoy better music.
Understand your emotions.
Enjoy better music.
Understand your emotions.
Enjoy better music.
Feature 1
AI that understands your highs and lows
Cura senses mood shifts like stress spikes through your smartwatch, and understand your emotions to help your music curations.
Feature 2
Choose what to track. You're in control
Choose which emotions Cura should track and get a playlist that's just right for you.
Feature 3
Revisit your emotions. Understand them better
Cura tracks your emotional journey and turns it into a personalized playlist. Your own musical antidote for every mood!
Feature 4
Voice-based interactions
Cura understands your intentions and interacts with you natrually.
Feature 1
AI that understands your highs and lows
Cura senses mood shifts like stress spikes through your smartwatch, and understand your emotions to help your music curations.
Feature 2
Choose what to track. You're in control
Choose which emotions Cura should track and get a playlist that's just right for you.
Feature 3
Revisit your emotions. Understand them better
Cura tracks your emotional journey and turns it into a personalized playlist. Your own musical antidote for every mood!
Feature 4
Voice-based interactions
Cura understands your intentions and interacts with you natrually.
Feature 1
AI that understands your highs and lows
Cura senses mood shifts like stress spikes through your smartwatch, and understand your emotions to help your music curations.
Feature 2
Choose what to track. You're in control
Choose which emotions Cura should track and get a playlist that's just right for you.
Feature 3
Revisit your emotions. Understand them better
Cura tracks your emotional journey and turns it into a personalized playlist. Your own musical antidote for every mood!
Feature 4
Voice-based interactions
Cura understands your intentions and interacts with you natrually.
Feature 1
AI that understands your highs and lows
Cura senses mood shifts like stress spikes through your smartwatch, and understand your emotions to help your music curations.
Feature 2
Choose what to track. You're in control
Choose which emotions Cura should track and get a playlist that's just right for you.
Feature 3
Revisit your emotions. Understand them better
Cura tracks your emotional journey and turns it into a personalized playlist. Your own musical antidote for every mood!
Feature 4
Voice-based interactions
Cura understands your intentions and interacts with you natrually.
Feature 1
AI that understands your highs and lows
Cura senses mood shifts like stress spikes through your smartwatch, and understand your emotions to help your music curations.
Feature 2
Choose what to track. You're in control
Choose which emotions Cura should track and get a playlist that's just right for you.
Feature 3
Revisit your emotions. Understand them better
Cura tracks your emotional journey and turns it into a personalized playlist. Your own musical antidote for every mood!
Feature 4
Voice-based interactions
Cura understands your intentions and interacts with you natrually.
Feature 1
AI that understands your highs and lows
Cura senses mood shifts like stress spikes through your smartwatch, and understand your emotions to help your music curations.
Feature 2
Choose what to track. You're in control
Choose which emotions Cura should track and get a playlist that's just right for you.
Feature 3
Revisit your emotions. Understand them better
Cura tracks your emotional journey and turns it into a personalized playlist. Your own musical antidote for every mood!
Feature 4
Voice-based interactions
Cura understands your intentions and interacts with you natrually.
Feature 1
AI that understands your highs and lows
Cura senses mood shifts like stress spikes through your smartwatch, and understand your emotions to help your music curations.
Feature 2
Choose what to track. You're in control
Choose which emotions Cura should track and get a playlist that's just right for you.
Feature 3
Revisit your emotions. Understand them better
Cura tracks your emotional journey and turns it into a personalized playlist. Your own musical antidote for every mood!
Feature 4
Voice-based interactions
Cura understands your intentions and interacts with you natrually.
Feature 1
AI that understands your highs and lows
Cura senses mood shifts like stress spikes through your smartwatch, and understand your emotions to help your music curations.
Feature 2
Choose what to track. You're in control
Choose which emotions Cura should track and get a playlist that's just right for you.
Feature 3
Revisit your emotions. Understand them better
Cura tracks your emotional journey and turns it into a personalized playlist. Your own musical antidote for every mood!
Feature 4
Voice-based interactions
Cura understands your intentions and interacts with you natrually.
Feature 1
AI that understands your highs and lows
Cura senses mood shifts like stress spikes through your smartwatch, and understand your emotions to help your music curations.
Feature 2
Choose what to track. You're in control
Choose which emotions Cura should track and get a playlist that's just right for you.
Feature 3
Revisit your emotions. Understand them better
Cura tracks your emotional journey and turns it into a personalized playlist. Your own musical antidote for every mood!
Feature 4
Voice-based interactions
Cura understands your intentions and interacts with you natrually.
Feature 1
AI that understands your highs and lows
Cura senses mood shifts like stress spikes through your smartwatch, and understand your emotions to help your music curations.
Feature 2
Choose what to track. You're in control
Choose which emotions Cura should track and get a playlist that's just right for you.
Feature 3
Revisit your emotions. Understand them better
Cura tracks your emotional journey and turns it into a personalized playlist. Your own musical antidote for every mood!
Feature 4
Voice-based interactions
Cura understands your intentions and interacts with you natrually.
Feature 1
AI that understands your highs and lows
Cura senses mood shifts like stress spikes through your smartwatch, and understand your emotions to help your music curations.
Feature 2
Choose what to track. You're in control
Choose which emotions Cura should track and get a playlist that's just right for you.
Feature 3
Revisit your emotions. Understand them better
Cura tracks your emotional journey and turns it into a personalized playlist. Your own musical antidote for every mood!
Feature 4
Voice-based interactions
Cura understands your intentions and interacts with you natrually.
Feature 1
AI that understands your highs and lows
Cura senses mood shifts like stress spikes through your smartwatch, and understand your emotions to help your music curations.
Feature 2
Choose what to track. You're in control
Choose which emotions Cura should track and get a playlist that's just right for you.
Feature 3
Revisit your emotions. Understand them better
Cura tracks your emotional journey and turns it into a personalized playlist. Your own musical antidote for every mood!
Feature 4
Voice-based interactions
Cura understands your intentions and interacts with you natrually.
Feature 1
AI that understands your highs and lows
Cura senses mood shifts like stress spikes through your smartwatch, and understand your emotions to help your music curations.
Feature 2
Choose what to track. You're in control
Choose which emotions Cura should track and get a playlist that's just right for you.
Feature 3
Revisit your emotions. Understand them better
Cura tracks your emotional journey and turns it into a personalized playlist. Your own musical antidote for every mood!
Feature 4
Voice-based interactions
Cura understands your intentions and interacts with you natrually.
01/ Problem
01/ Problem
01/ Problem
Background
Voice Recognition to Empathetic AI
AI is becoming a big part of our lives. It was shocking to see that it reached a point where it can understand human emotions. Inspired by Hume AI, we imagined a conversational AI integrated into Spotify.
Background
Voice Recognition to Empathetic AI
AI is becoming a big part of our lives. It was shocking to see that it reached a point where it can understand human emotions. Inspired by Hume AI, we imagined a conversational AI integrated into Spotify.
Background
Voice Recognition to Empathetic AI
AI is becoming a big part of our lives. It was shocking to see that it reached a point where it can understand human emotions. Inspired by Hume AI, we imagined a conversational AI integrated into Spotify.
Process
We focused on rapid prototyping based on user feedback
Process
We focused on rapid prototyping based on user feedback
Process
We focused on rapid prototyping based on user feedback
1
Initial Research
Desk Research Exploratory Interviews User Surveys
1
Initial Research
Desk Research Exploratory Interviews User Surveys
1
Initial Research
Desk Research Exploratory Interviews User Surveys
2
Problem Identification
Affinity Mapping Data Analysis Concept Development
2
Problem Identification
Affinity Mapping Data Analysis Concept Development
2
Problem Identification
Affinity Mapping Data Analysis Concept Development
3
Iteration 1
User Scenario (Human- AI Interaction) User Testing #1
3
Iteration 1
User Scenario (Human- AI Interaction) User Testing #1
3
Iteration 1
User Scenario (Human- AI Interaction) User Testing #1
4
Iteration 2
Design Refinement Usability Test #2 (Key Product Features)
4
Iteration 2
Design Refinement Usability Test #2 (Key Product Features)
4
Iteration 2
Design Refinement Usability Test #2 (Key Product Features)
5
Delivery
Final Refinement Video Creation UI/UX Design
5
Delivery
Final Refinement Video Creation UI/UX Design
5
Delivery
Final Refinement Video Creation UI/UX Design
6
Reflection
Design Week Public Showcase
6
Reflection
Design Week Public Showcase
6
Reflection
Design Week Public Showcase
02/ Research
02/ Research
02/ Research
User Interviews
What are the user needs?
In order to learn about the current listening experience of Spotify and identify user needs, we interviewed 2 active users of the Spotify. The main questions focused on: - How users handle negative emotions. - How users perceive AI voice assistants.
User Interviews
What are the user needs?
In order to learn about the current listening experience of Spotify and identify user needs, we interviewed 2 active users of the Spotify. The main questions focused on: - How users handle negative emotions. - How users perceive AI voice assistants.
User Interviews
What are the user needs?
In order to learn about the current listening experience of Spotify and identify user needs, we interviewed 2 active users of the Spotify. The main questions focused on: - How users handle negative emotions. - How users perceive AI voice assistants.
Key Findings
AI was perceived to be useful, only when given agency
Key Findings
AI was perceived to be useful, only when given agency
Key Findings
AI was perceived to be useful, only when given agency
1
Music is their primary coping mechanism
Users supported that music is their primary coping mechanism. It amplified their moods.
1
Music is their primary coping mechanism
Users supported that music is their primary coping mechanism. It amplified their moods.
1
Music is their primary coping mechanism
2
Prefer AI-generated playlists
2
Prefer AI-generated playlists
2
Prefer AI-generated playlists
3
Need more subtle & less intrusive support
3
Need more subtle & less intrusive support
3
Need more subtle & less intrusive support
Survey
Based on the interviews, we conducted additional survey with 30+ participants. Through this, we identified key design opportunities.
Survey
Based on the interviews, we conducted additional survey with 30+ participants. Through this, we identified key design opportunities.
Survey
Based on the interviews, we conducted additional survey with 30+ participants. Through this, we identified key design opportunities.
Design Opportunities
Users want AI that provides support, not an interruption
Design Opportunities
Users want AI that provides support, not an interruption
Design Opportunities
Users want AI that provides support, not an interruption
1
AI that intervenes effectively
People had varied responses about when they would want their AI to step in. However, majority of them preferred safe space, alone.
1
AI that intervenes effectively
People had varied responses about when they would want their AI to step in. However, majority of them preferred safe space, alone.
1
AI that intervenes effectively
2
AI for emotional sense-making
2
AI for emotional sense-making
2
AI for emotional sense-making
3
AI that explains how & why
3
AI that explains how & why
3
AI that explains how & why
03/ Concept Development
03/ Concept Development
03/ Concept Development
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
How can Spotify’s AI support users through emotional highs and lows while preserving their sense of agency?
How can Spotify’s AI support users
through emotional highs and lows while preserving their sense of agency?
How can Spotify’s AI support users through emotional highs and lows while preserving their sense of agency?
Interaction Flow
Drawing out Human-AI interaction flow
We redefined the core interaction flow of our AI
Interaction Flow
Drawing out Human-AI interaction flow
We redefined the core interaction flow of our AI
Interaction Flow
Drawing out Human-AI interaction flow
We redefined the core interaction flow of our AI
User Scenario
Exploring key features in context
Based on our first round of research, we explored key touchpoints based in five user scenarios. We then gathered user feedback on how users prefer the AI to react in different situations.
User Scenario
Exploring key features in context
Based on our first round of research, we explored key touchpoints based in five user scenarios. We then gathered user feedback on how users prefer the AI to react in different situations.
User Scenario
Exploring key features in context
Based on our first round of research, we explored key touchpoints based in five user scenarios. We then gathered user feedback on how users prefer the AI to react in different situations.
AI Brand Identity
Gentle, Caring and Personalized AI
Based on the collected insights, we created an AI persona representing the needs of target users. Users wanted AI to be non-intrusive, caring and more supportive in their music listening experiences.
AI Brand Identity
Gentle, Caring and Personalized AI
Based on the collected insights, we created an AI persona representing the needs of target users. Users wanted AI to be non-intrusive, caring and more supportive in their music listening experiences.
AI Brand Identity
Gentle, Caring and Personalized AI
Based on the collected insights, we created an AI persona representing the needs of target users. Users wanted AI to be non-intrusive, caring and more supportive in their music listening experiences.
Lo-fi prototype
Voice User Interfaces (VUI) States
For key interactions, I sketched and iterated AI motion designs to represent VUI states.
Lo-fi prototype
Voice User Interfaces (VUI) States
For key interactions, I sketched and iterated AI motion designs to represent VUI states.
Lo-fi prototype
Voice User Interfaces (VUI) States
For key interactions, I sketched and iterated AI motion designs to represent VUI states.
04/ Iterations
04/ Iterations
04/ Iterations
Usability Testing
We conducted user testing with mid-fi prototypes
Based on the prototype, we conducted user testing with five participants to walk through the overall flow of the new feature.
Usability Testing
We conducted user testing with mid-fi prototypes
Based on the prototype, we conducted user testing with five participants to walk through the overall flow of the new feature.
Usability Testing
We conducted user testing with mid-fi prototypes
Based on the prototype, we conducted user testing with five participants to walk through the overall flow of the new feature.
Solution 1- Design Consistency
Refining visual and interaction patterns for design consistency
Since our goal was to integrate with the Spotify app, we aligned our interaction style to match its native experience.
Solution 1- Design Consistency
Refining visual and interaction patterns for design consistency
Since our goal was to integrate with the Spotify app, we aligned our interaction style to match its native experience.
Solution 1- Design Consistency
Refining visual and interaction patterns for design consistency
Since our goal was to integrate with the Spotify app, we aligned our interaction style to match its native experience.
Solution 2 - Simplicity
Simplifying interfaces by prioritizing the key user action
The initial placement of multiple buttons led to user confusion, so we focused on streamlining the user flow for greater clarity.
Solution 2 - Simplicity
Simplifying interfaces by prioritizing the key user action
The initial placement of multiple buttons led to user confusion, so we focused on streamlining the user flow for greater clarity.
Solution 2 - Simplicity
Simplifying interfaces by prioritizing the key user action
The initial placement of multiple buttons led to user confusion, so we focused on streamlining the user flow for greater clarity.
Final prototype
We conducted user testing with hi-fi prototypes
For key interactions, I created 6 AI motions representing vui states.
Final prototype
We conducted user testing with hi-fi prototypes
For key interactions, I created 6 AI motions representing vui states.
Final prototype
We conducted user testing with hi-fi prototypes
For key interactions, I created 6 AI motions representing vui states.
Final prototype
Mobile App Screens
For key interactions, I created 6 AI motions representing vui states.
Final prototype
Mobile App Screens
For key interactions, I created 6 AI motions representing vui states.
Final prototype
Mobile App Screens
For key interactions, I created 6 AI motions representing vui states.
04/ Impact
04/ Impact
04/ Impact
Public Showcase
School of Design Showcase
At Carnegie Mellon University, Cura was showcased and presented to the public. Many audiences loved our idea and gave valuable feedback on our designs!
Public Showcase
School of Design Showcase
At Carnegie Mellon University, Cura was showcased and presented to the public. Many audiences loved our idea and gave valuable feedback on our designs!
Public Showcase
School of Design Showcase
At Carnegie Mellon University, Cura was showcased and presented to the public. Many audiences loved our idea and gave valuable feedback on our designs!
05/ Takeaways
05/ Takeaways
05/ Takeaways
1
Fail fast, Learn fast
One of the key goals of this project was rapid prototyping and quick iterations based on user research and testings. We learned the value of failing fast in the beginning to set the right direction.
1
Fail fast, Learn fast
One of the key goals of this project was rapid prototyping and quick iterations based on user research and testings. We learned the value of failing fast in the beginning to set the right direction.
1
Fail fast, Learn fast
2
Overcoming the Uncanny Valley
2
Overcoming the Uncanny Valley
2
Overcoming the Uncanny Valley
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0-1 product design to support local artists
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Want to dive deeper?
Explore more of my projects below.
Arch
0-1 product design to support local artists
Echo X IBM 2nd Prize
Won B2B AI Global service design competition