This blog post will be focusing on the design, research, and ideation phase for developing a companion app for a band, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (KGLW). KGLW are a psychedelic rock band from Australia, they have a large catalogue of releases. This app will be created with a focus on the User Experience (UX) and the User Interface (UI).
My initial thoughts on what should be included in an app for KGLW fans were based on both their current website and what I would like to see as a fan. These were then used to create a quick sketch of what each page may look like, please see below:
To understand how KGLW communicate with their fans, I analysed their social media posts and website, and commonly used words were written down in the list below:
Competitor Research
Once the initial ideas were written, it was time to complete competitor research. Whilst there are not many (if any) apps for bands specifically, websites for various bands of a similar genre were viewed to evaluate what should be included and what users would want from the UI. The below common design features were highlighted and will be incorporated in the app to provide the best usability and improve the UX:
- Clearly labelled and obvious call to actions – this will improve the usability and overall UX.
- Direct navigation to return to the home page – this will improve the utility of the app, various competitor websites directed users to another page with no way of getting off the page.
- Clear colour contrasts and use of readable typography – this will enhance learnability and accessibility of the app but also reduce the drop rate.
Additional app features that were discovered by carrying out competitor research are as follows:
- Newsletter subscription.
- Request a show.
- Having various options depending on location (USA/EUR/GBP).
- Latest updates.
Personas
Historically psychedelic rock fans were young ‘hippies’, open to taking psychedelic substances and expressing themselves through activism, arts and protesting (Bell, 2023). In more recent years psychedelic rock has changed as a music genre but still appeals more to a creative, left leaning audience.
Based on audience research, 6 personas were created using Figjam to represent users of the application.
Mood Boards
Below is a mood board that consists of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard album artwork which is all created by Jason Galea. This mood board was created to get an idea of the current styles that KGLW are using.
In the following link is an additional mood board created on Figjam of styles, colourways, and typography that I would like to incorporate in the app, along with reasoning for why each aspect is related to KGLW.
Accessibility
To ensure the app is user friendly for people with disabilities, conditions, or impairments, which are physical, cognitive, or sensory. There will be adjustable preferences within the settings of the app, these will include options to enlarge the text, adjust screen colours and text to speech options.
Mission Statement
A mission statement is a simple description that explains the purpose of a company or organisation. It assists designers in keeping focused on the aim of a project. When researching King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard it quickly became clear that the terminology used by the band was very informal, meaning the mission statement for their app needed to be informal to be suitable for their target audience. The mission statement that has been developed is as follows:
A mega app to let gizzheads know what’s going down in the gizzverse, find out what the boys are up to and share what you weirdo’s want from us next.
References
Bell, J. (2023) WTF is… psych rock? Available online: https://discover.ticketmaster.co.uk/music/wtf-is-psych-rock-58613/ [Accessed 9/5/2024].
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (2024) Home page. Available online: https://kinggizzardandthelizardwizard.com/ [Accessed 18/4/2024].
Imagery
Be Fonts (2021) Just bubble display font. Available online: https://befonts.com/just-bubble-display-font.html [Accessed 7/5/2024].
Chrome Web Store (2024) Psychedelic power. Available online: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/psychedelic-power/kmcoognglbpbhfmgpnanebpekagfbcin?pli=1 [Accessed 7/5/2024].
Divin (2024) Abstract hypnotic pattern with multi-colored striped lines. Available online: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=psychedelic+pattern+black+and+white&asset_id=423955928 [Accessed 7/5/2024].
Easley, T. (2021) Wavy typeface. Available online: https://www.printmag.com/graphic-design/type-tuesday-catch-the-typographical-wave-with-wavy-typeface/ [Accessed 7/5/2024].
Failtotoro (2024) Doodle black bubble font collection vector image. Available online: https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/doodle-black-bubble-font-collection-vector-29106091 [Accessed 7/5/2024].
Galea, J. (2012-2024) King gizzard and the lizard wizard album artwork. Available online: https://kinggizzardandthelizardwizard.com/releases [Accessed 25/4/2024].
Galea, J. (2023) King gizzard and the lizard wizard live around the globe. Available online: https://www.sonicrendezvous.com/product/king-gizzard-the-lizard-wizard/live-around-the-globe-part-iii/564278 [Accessed 7/5/2024].
Kelli (2023) Kooky cloud. Available online: https://creativemarket.com/StudioFunshop/11012694-Kooky-Cloud%21-Unique-Bold-Bubble-Font [Accessed 7/5/2024].
Jung, E. & Marcin, R. (2009) True gore. Available online: https://fonts.adobe.com/fonts/true-gore#fonts-section [Accessed 7/5/2024].
Larabie, R. (2024) Shlop. Available online: https://fonts.adobe.com/fonts/shlop#fonts-section [Accessed 7/5/2024].
Moore, J. (2018) Zed the zombie. Available online: https://issuu.com/artfuly/docs/artfuly_magazine_issue_4.5/s/29563 [Accessed 7/5/2024].
Moore, J. (2023) Meaty Max. Available online: https://mulgatheartist.com.au/products/meaty-max-original-painting [Accessed 7/5/2024].
Rawpixel (2024) Layered editable text effect layour 3D typography. Available online: https://stock.adobe.com/templates/layered-editable-text-effect-layour-3d-typography/442162715 [Accessed 7/5/2024].
Softulka (2023) Nice wave font. Available online: https://www.behance.net/gallery/182428013/Nice-Wave-Font-fun-display-typeface?tracking_source=search_projects|wavy+font&l=24& [Accessed 7/5/2024].
Rossit, H. (1991) Red hot chili peppers, Nirvana, pearl jam. Available online: http://www.billboardlists.50webs.com/billboard-25-best-rock-posters-of-all-time.html [Accessed 7/5/2024].
Wilson, W. (1966) New generation, jaywalkers, the charlatans. Available online: http://www.billboardlists.50webs.com/billboard-25-best-rock-posters-of-all-time.html [Accessed 7/5/2024].