Pandora certainly had the user in mind when it designed its internet radio. They definitely make a great use of spatial arrangement to develop the way the user manipulates the site so that it "plays music you want to hear." Most of the type is in greyscale. The words aren't the most important part to navigating the site, it is the song that is currently playing, and that album cover is screaming at you to click the thumbs up or down.
The icons for sharing are in color also; Pandora wants you to share how happy you are with all your friends. Social networking through music? Genius!
The "Create a New Station" button is also in color. Seems to be an effective market research tool. Pandora keeps tabs on what is on the forefront of your mind by encouraging the user to be more involved in asking for music. By drawing your attention to the "create a new station" feature, Pandora is making the user happy by giving them what they want, while simultaneously learning about who you are and what you like.
Ah, but they are not completely arrogant of the need to provide more information in a linear sequence fashion. With a simple click the user finds herself with all the information they can handle about the band or musician, the song, the album, and how you can purchase it. Coincidence? No, Pandora's designers are just really that awesome.
Alison,
ReplyDeleteGreat analysis and example. Would have liked to have seen more commentary on what this says about society in general, but good post!
Cheers,
paul