Designing BFD Player from the Ground Up
Designing BFD Player from the Ground Up
Leading visual and interaction design for a new drum instrument in collaboration with major music brands
Leading visual and interaction design for a new drum instrument in collaboration with major music brands
Released
2023
Stack
Sketch, ProtoPie, Maze
Platforms
macOS, Windows
Interaction Design
Interaction Design
User Interface Design
User Interface Design
Context
Context
Complexity kills Creativity
When musicians were waiting for a long-promised BFD3 refresh, the reality was a tool too complex for most to use. Pros could power through, but everyday e-drummers and songwriters were left behind.
The Challenge
The Challenge
What if powerful drum software didn’t have to feel complicated?
Process
Process
Process
Interview and survey users from the inMusic mailing list to collect insights.
Interview and survey users from the inMusic mailing list to collect insights.
Benchmark best-in-class products to identify improvement areas
3D Interactive Drum View
Free Groove Library
Dedicated hardware
Benchmark best-in-class products to identify improvement areas
3D Interactive Drum View
Free Groove Library
Dedicated hardware
Troubleshoot concepts with devs to create product hypotheses
Drag and drop is clunky (and not A11y friendly) for switching out kit pieces
Can we house presets in an artwork-branded accordion?
Very possible. Need to de-couple "kits"
Troubleshoot concepts with devs to create product hypotheses
Drag and drop is clunky (and not A11y friendly) for switching out kit pieces
Can we house presets in an artwork-branded accordion?
Very possible. Need to de-couple "kits"
Wire > prototype > test > iterate
Wire > prototype > test > iterate
Interview and survey users from the inMusic mailing list to collect insights.
Benchmark best-in-class products to identify improvement areas
3D Interactive Drum View
Free Groove Library
Dedicated hardware
Troubleshoot concepts with devs to create product hypotheses
Drag and drop is clunky (and not A11y friendly) for switching out kit pieces
Can we house presets in an artwork-branded accordion?
Very possible. Need to de-couple "kits"
Wire > prototype > test > iterate
Highlights
Highlights
Fewer options,
better outcomes
Fewer options,
better outcomes
We found that users were "lost in menus", often having multiple ways of getting the same result.
We found that users were "lost in menus", often having multiple ways of getting the same result.
We found that users were "lost in menus", often having multiple ways of getting the same result.
(menu options provided by product owner)
Grouping options uncovered a clearer workflow. Improved naming helped with information hierarchy.
Grouping options uncovered a clearer workflow. Improved naming helped with information hierarchy.
Menu options provided by product owner
Arriving at a simpler, task-focussed navigation. With refreshed iconography.
Arriving at a simpler, task-focussed navigation. With refreshed iconography.
Menu options provided by product owner
Consistency is key
Consistency is key
A rotary knob threw off the mixer’s alignment, so I reimagined the control entirely. After multiple iterations, the ‘Width Fader’ was born — a new element that fits seamlessly into the interface.
A rotary knob threw off the mixer’s alignment, so I reimagined the control entirely. After multiple iterations, the ‘Width Fader’ was born — a new element that fits seamlessly into the interface.
A rotary knob threw off the mixer’s alignment, so I reimagined the control entirely. After multiple iterations, the ‘Width Fader’ was born — a new element that fits seamlessly into the interface.
Discovery made simple
Discovery made simple
Hundreds of grooves. One long list. Finding the right rhythm was slow, frustrating, and often down to luck. I introduced a tagging system so users could search for musical terms like dynamics, feel, timing etc.
Hundreds of grooves. One long list. Finding the right rhythm was slow, frustrating, and often down to luck. I introduced a tagging system so users could search for musical terms like dynamics, feel, timing etc.
Impact
Support tickets down
Compared to first 6 months of BFD3 launch
100%
100%
Reviews up
Music retailers and content creators commented on the ease of use and intuitive user interface.
More visibility
BFD Player ships with Alesis electronic drum kits and features in production bundles alongside leading music brands like Solid State Logic, Ableton and Native Instruments.
Impact
Support tickets down
Compared to first 6 months of BFD3 launch
100%
100%
Reviews up
Music retailers and content creators commented on the ease of use and intuitive user interface.
More visibility
BFD Player ships with Alesis electronic drum kits and features in production bundles alongside leading music brands like Solid State Logic, Ableton and Native Instruments.
Impact
Support tickets down
Compared to first 6 months of BFD3 launch
100%
100%
Reviews up
Music retailers and content creators commented on the ease of use and intuitive user interface.
More visibility
BFD Player ships with Alesis electronic drum kits and features in production bundles alongside leading music brands like Solid State Logic, Ableton and Native Instruments.
Visuals
Visuals
