Effect Pedals Redesign
Effect Pedals Redesign
From Chunky To Creative
Client: Positive Grid
The Brief:
- Design a LED display in sync with the App showing device settings
- Add LED brightness control
- Make improvements on the smart device App
Out with the Old
In with the New..
The Problem
'As a professional musician, sound & time is everything. I want to create the "Perfect Sound" without hassles and distractions.'
The Original Bias Pro Effects are great, but juggling between the app on the smart device while trying to fine tune each element to get "that perfect sound" is so difficult without being able to see the changes being made while looking at the pedals.
The Solution
I added an LED display for precise reading of feature settings.
It automatically updates as you select presets and change their settings.
Quick & easy Undo & Redo touch screen
- Add an LED display so users spends less time on the mobile app when doing a live performance or studio recording.
Undo & Redo Displyed
Presets Displyed
Settings Displyed
Presets
From our user complaints I removed the Preset names printed on the device because 1: they were difficult to read, 2: most users changed the presets entirely, which made it more confusing made it useless
Focus
Changes on the Pedal or App are shown in real time on the LED.
Users can now see precise changes made on the pedal, eliminating distractions from the App and focus on their performance.
Settings
I grouped the setting on the LED screen to keep it consistent with the device rows, making it an instinctive experience. The fonts are large enough to easily and clearly see in any light setting.
Undo/Redo and Logo
Pressing on a settings knob or from the touch screen will focus on it with quick & easy Undo and Redo on the touch screen.
I also moved the Positive Grid label over improving the look.
Usually big problems have simple solutions
Can you quckily & easily find the settings change indicator?
It's all the way to the top right. Nowhere near the knobs panel.
UI Solution
Users complained that the settings indicator in the App was hard to locate, which many didn't even notice was even there.
It was in an inconvient location to look at when modifying the knobs. I placed it above where the users modifyed the knob settings.
A very simple change, that is highly effective & efficient
Day 1
Welcome
Understand
Define
Sketch
Day 2
Decide
Storyboard
Prototype
Day 3
Prototype
Validate
Product Designer
3 Day Sprint
1 Person Team
Responsibilitis
- Product Design
UI design - 5 interviews
Usability Testing - Personas
Tools
- Sketch
- Photoshop
- Paper & Pen
- Marker & Whiteboard
Research
The users for reserch were live stage performance and studio recording musicians specifically for string instruments. So to really understand the musician's needs, I sought out professional musicians who frequently use effect pedals. I had them use the original Bias Pro Pedals and did did one -on-one interviews with them.
From administrating interviews and testing the original Bias Pro Pedals, I was able to utilized many methods to improve the Pedal and App design. Other research methods included affinity mapping, and competitive/comparative analysis to find trends that would help me in the improving the product and user experience.
Personas
Now that I have a better understanding of the users' needs based on research, I profiled a main persona representing the main type of user.
By identifying our Primary user persona I had a clearer understanding who I was actually designing for, which helped me identify the users' needs and a foundation to work from to start designing a delightful experience for them.
User Interviews & Testing of Initial Product
To get a better understanding of what problems users were having with the Bias Pro Pedals and their needs with the pedals to improve their experience, I conducted interviews with 5 musicians and had them also perform using the original pedals.
Some questions I asked:
- Tell me about the last time you tried to use the appwhile performing?
- What are the biggest pains or hardest part related to that?
- Tell me about the last time you used the pedals while performing?
- What are the biggest pains or hardest part related to that?
Users Answers:
- “When I'm changing setting on the pedal it would be great to have it displayed directly on the pedal instead of having to look at the app”
- “I want to be able to quickly scroll through the presets and actually see the neame of the one I'm on.”
- “I cant tell if it saved the new preset or if it was canceled.”
- "It would be great to have an undo and redo seting on the pedal."
Main Findings
Users want a way to see the setting changes directly on the pedals similar to the app's UI.
80% did not like using the app on their smart devices during live performances. It distracted them from their performances and disconnected them from their fans and from being "in the zone".
"The app and clunky design of the pedal is a meddle man that gets in the way of my performance and kills my vibe."
70% thought that the printed labels for the Preset on the pedals were useless once the Preset type were changed by the user sometimes confusing the user. Plus, "they were impossible to read with the blinding lights"
100% did not see where the setting for the knobs were being displayed on the App. Once it was found all agreed it could be placed where it was easier to find.
Most important factors to consider:
Add adjustable Indicator light setting
Add LED display
Change the App's UI for settings
Remove printed preset labels
Reasons for preferring to use pedals with display over app:
Less distractions from app
More focus on performance
Convenience quick access with out app
Seamless experience with pedal
Conclusion
Working on product design with music apps and gear is extremely fun for me simply because as a musician I want us all to have a better experience and I can't help fully diving into these kind of projects.
This was without a doubt one of my favorite projects to work on!
Musicians need to be able to be in the zone , connect with their audiance and prefrom in unison with the band all under the presure on time, technology while in a creative flow. There is no time foor glitches and fussing around with technoligy. Connecting with their strugles of needing things to work and go smoothly so they can focus on their performance and fans.
"We want the world and we want it. Now!"
jim morrison
