Research, Strategy and Design

TuneIn: Making Radio Cool Again

Role: Punchcut Solution Lead
Team: 2 Researchers; 4 Designers; 2 Design Technologists
Timeline: 14 Weeks - 2022

The Opportunity

Broadcast radio was what TuneIn’s was founded on, yet it’s listening numbers in this area were stagnant. Many listeners didn’t know they were using the service since it was the default radio service in Alexa devices. Additionally listeners were sticking to one or two stations and not exploring new options as they were added.

Goals

Create new ways for listeners to engage with TuneIn content
Expand current listeners’ habits to include new stations
Make radio cool again

Understanding User Behavior + Preferences

Phase 1: Research

We conducted contextual inquiry in homes and a concept card sort activity. We used emoji responses to each idea as a aid in conversation.

TuneIn provided a wealth of information on the types of devices, content and behaviors of it’s users. We distilled the information into insights to pair with the interviews.

Outcomes: Winning concepts

Users highlighted four top-ranked concepts that aligned with their behaviors and expectations.

TuneIn had strategic goals in automotive. We focused first there to develop new engagement concepts.

Phase 2: Design Vision

Archetypes and User Journeys

To help make sense of the features and how they create a new service system, we created archetypes on journeys that bring together user needs and feature development.

Broad Concepting on Emerging Themes

We identified 10 themes from research and several ideas that were resonating with listers during testing. We expanded on those with broad sketching and ideation.

Building a Narrative Vision

To help make sense of the features and how they create a new service system, we created a narrative that brought the concepts to life.

Bringing the Vision to Life

Phase 3: Design

Key UX Decisions for Automotive First Design

Designing the explorer as a auto-first experience came with some specific challenges requiring solutions that translated well to general usability.

Large gesture controls are tiresome, provide additional options as a person explores

Provide targeting exploration in search, tabs, and recommendations

Add favoriting option for repeat listening
The map is essentially a location filter, create additional filters to zero in on what you like
Prioritize voice for any automotive experience

Interaction Design

Prototyping

We conducted dual prototypes for fidelity and interactivity. Our design technologist coded a prototype that leveraged TuneIn APIs to connect to real-time radio stations. Partnering with the motion designer, we were able to create a 3D map interaction that would allow the globe to turn and have pinch/zoom capabilities.

Prototype

Outcomes

Launch and Reception

Released in 2023, it became the default view for radio listening on TuneIn.

In 2024 it was rolled out as the primary way to discover radio stations on both iPhone and Android apps.

Listeners who use the feature listen to twice as many stations as those who don’t.
Check it out here: https://tunein.com/explorer/

Reception

Making radio cool again…

The release garnered attention from the tech press in its initial release and rollout to all platforms. As for the impossible task of making radio cool again, at least one journalist said so.