Wave is a conceptual music app exploring how the atmosphere of nostalgic listening experiences can be translated into a contemporary digital product.
The project focuses on the relationship between emotional expression and usability: creating an interface with a distinctive character while keeping playback, discovery, and navigation direct.
I structured the experience around four recurring actions:
⁕ Start playback immediately
⁕ Move between tracks
⁕ Discover artists and music
⁕ Create and manage playlists
I adopted one guiding rule: no visual decision should slow down a core interaction. This led to simplified high-frequency screens, clear touch targets, and predictable navigation.
⁕ No hidden or gesture-dependent navigation
⁕ No heavily skeuomorphic controls
⁕ No visual effects that compromise readability
Instead of recreating a specific historical interface, I abstracted recognizable qualities of retro-futurism. Color and glow establish hierarchy, while animation communicates playback state and response. Spacing and familiar controls keep the visual richness structured.
I reviewed the concept against three criteria: clarity, speed, and focus. Iteration concentrated on contrast, layout density, motion timing, and whether important actions remained immediately recognizable.
