akshaimani

a music-powered social app that helps people find friends.

User Research

To understand how people currently connect with others through music and the challenges they face, I conducted user interviews with 8 participants (4 who actively use dating apps, 4 who mainly use Spotify for sharing music). I also leveraged online music and dating communities to gather quantitative insights through surveys answered by 52 participants.

Key Insights

Dating apps feel shallow, focused on looks not shared interests
Users already share songs and playlists manually through WhatsApp or Instagram
Two main user types: explorers who love discovering music, expressers who use music to show identity
Spotify is the most used platform, followed by YouTube Music and Apple Music
Users want natural icebreakers like shared playlists, listening sessions, or “now playing” updates

Ideation

After defining the problem, the focus shifted to framing key "How Might We" questions:

How might online connections feel more genuine and less shallow?
How might music act as a natural icebreaker between people?
How might we spark conversations that go beyond small talk?

These questions guided the identification of core features such as music-based profiles, playlist sharing, and real-time listening, which shaped the foundation of Wavve.

Music-powered profiles

Users link Spotify to showcase top genres, artists, playlists, and an anthem song — making profiles authentic and interest-driven rather than shallow.

Playlist and music sharing in chat

To reduce awkward conversations, users can send playlists, albums, or single tracks directly in chat. Conversation starters are suggested based on shared artists or overlapping songs, turning small talk into music talk. Collaborative playlists allow matches to bond over curation.

Real-time connection

Opt-in “Now Playing” updates and jamming sessions allow spontaneous interactions and shared listening experiences, adding depth beyond standard chats.

Journey Mapping

Journey maps illustrate how music lovers move from discovering playlists to sharing songs within Wavve. They highlight user emotions and friction points, guiding design decisions for a smoother, more engaging experience.

What I learned

Building Wavve revealed how deeply music and social connection are linked. Users don’t just want to listen—they want to share, bond, and express identity through music. The biggest takeaway was that simplicity and playful interactions drive engagement more than feature-heavy designs.

CalmCharts

Makerspace

Let's discuss

akshayathiyadath@gmail.com

Most dating and social apps feel shallow, focusing on looks over interests. Music is a powerful way people express themselves and connect, but it isn’t meaningfully integrated into existing platforms.

Problem Statement