Foundational Podcasting Experience
Podopolo is a startup on a mission to change podcasting. In 2021, as people were tuning in more than ever, podcasters still struggled to connect with their listeners. We built a simple MVP packed with features that help podcasters and listeners discover and engage with each other.
Role
Product Designer
Hire and manage the design team
Timeline
~ 7 months for the MVP launch
Problem Statement
Podcasting is often a solo experience, and podcasters, regardless of size, struggle with discovery and audience connection.
The Process
As with most real design projects, the process was not linear. Given the budget and time constraints as a small company, the design was done in a highly iterative process. This involved significant collaboration with stakeholders, project budget considerations, user feedback, and development limitations.
Process artifacts
Discovery
Throughout the entire design process and product lifecycle, we used white paper research, desk research, surveys and discovery interviews to align stakeholders and podcaster expectations. This approach was instrumental in understanding podcaster's pain points.
Lack of meaningful connection with their audience
Analytics are very technical and confusing
Podcasters have a hard time monetizing their work.
It's hard for new comers to be discovered
Design
Before addressing broader issues, we needed to establish a solid foundation by focusing on basic functionalities. This included:
Sign-up flow
Listening experience
Discovery and Categorization
Profiles and Following
Audience interaction - Comments section
Competitor Analysis
Competitor analysis and heuristic research was used to gather insights, then created mind and navigational maps to align our ideas, ensuring effective prototype and visual design work.
Outcome
The final designs focused on creating an intuitive and engaging podcasting experience. Here are the key interface solutions we developed:
Discovery Experience
Designed to help users easily find new podcasts and topics they love
Listening Experience
A clean, focused player interface that enhances the listening experience with interactive features
Profile & Social Features
Building connections between podcasters and listeners through comprehensive profile and following systems
Management & Settings
Comprehensive tools for podcasters to manage their content and account settings
Impact
The MVP was launched on October 8, 2021. The design was highly praised for its usability and aesthetics.
Takeaways
A simple, focused solution—validated, can be enough to start learning and evolving the product.
The product roadmap should focus on goals and metrics to ensure ideas are validated before moving forward.
Quality and attention to detail are as important as rushing to market.
Next Steps
After the MVP launch, we began designing features to improve and address other opportunities we identified.