Research
During our research, we conducted a number of interviews with people who closely resembled our original user personas. The survey data gathered during these interviews shaped our revised user personas, which are detailed below.
In regards to literary research, we reaffirmed the hypothesis which acted as the basis for our vision for Jam Band: the mutually beneficial relationship between music and socialization. We include one of our sources here as an example.
“In a 2013 review of the research on music, Stefan Koelsch, music psychologist at the Freie University Berlin, described several mechanisms through which music impacts our ability to connect with one another—by impacting brain circuits involved in empathy, trust, and cooperation—perhaps explaining how it has survived in every culture of the world.”
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Music increases contact, coordination, and cooperation with others
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Music gives us an oxytocin boost
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Music strengthens our ”theory of mind” and empathy
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Music increases cultural cohesion
Applications of music in society include music...
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As Therapy
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For Sleep
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To Focus
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Generally acts as a uniquely significant help with active engagement
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Source: Suttie, Jill. “Four Ways Music Strengthens Social Bonds.” Greater Good, Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, 15 Jan. 2015, greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_ways_music_strengthens_social_bonds.
Our Approach
Jambands can make partying more accessible through a central activity of sharing and diversifying music being played by either upvoting or downvoting a song that’s being played at the particular social setting. Jambands can assess specifications showing music lists, upvotes, downvotes, pairs, jammers connected, genres liked, artists favored, and so forth. Music often has a crucial role in enhancing the overall atmosphere and enjoyment at an event. As a form of entertainment, it offers people something they can enjoy and join in on, since songs can build a social network that allows it to be shared and set a mood. It is also a great way for people to get involved and dance as well as provide a form of activity. By using the ‘JB’ logo in between both the upvotes and downvotes, Jambands are connected to Bluetooth and a ‘host’ so that the user can power and pair with another user and with the host, making use of the full functionality of Jambands and helping the host detect who is using which songs and what the public opinion is about them.
Incorporating LED technology into the wristband involves integrating dynamic lighting elements, especially through collaboration with LedSupply. Wearers and those around them will experience a visually engaging and immersive experience as these LEDs respond to the music playing. An essential feature of the wristband is its ability to access the music database. This involves connecting to a comprehensive database that houses a diverse range of songs. Users can
interact with this database through the wristband to access a playlist allowing them to see what songs they liked and who they liked them with if paired with others.
The wristband operates on a profile-based system on the Jamband app, allowing users to personalize their experience. This includes features such as character customization and the option to choose a unique and wacky name, like “Raul-jammer.” The concept of Jammers refers to friends or individuals within the social circle who are also using the wristbands, creating a connected and collaborative music control experience.
The core functionality of the wristband revolves around the use of upvotes and downvotes. Attendees can express their preferences in real-time by using these buttons to influence the music selection. Upvoting a song indicates approval and a desire for it to continue playing, while downvoting suggests a preference for a different track. This instant feedback mechanism actively involves the audience in shaping the overall approach to help our product be accessible to a multitude of many people.
User Personas
Johnny Jacobs
Johnny is a college junior in a fraternity studying finance at the University of Alabama. He is described by both himself and others as deeply extroverted. He loves being around other people and is an adept social butterfly. Naturally, such a personality lends itself to being drawn to the party scene, of which Johnny is an active participant. Unfortunately, parties have started to feel repetitive to him, thanks in no small part to the music choice. Johnny is already a fairly avid music listener outside of parties, and the songs he hears don't particularly jive with his tastes. He wishes he could voice his opinions on party music in a substantive way so those parties can provide him with an even better experience than they do currently.
Aubrey Jean
Aubrey Jean is a college sophomore who intends to double major in Creative Writing and Mathematics at the University of Rochester. She has yet to have attended any parties on-campus, despite insistence from friends she has made in the past year. Aubrey feels uncomfortable towards the idea of parties; her insular and introverted nature makes the mere concept of them feel inaccessible to her. Her interest was piqued, however, when some of those said friends talked about a “JamBand” party. One of her friends who has used a “JamBand” and is helping to organize the party describes the idea: the party is centralized around bracelets everyone will use to suggest songs and rate them after listening. Afterwards, the data accumulated can be transferred to phones or smart watches or what have you via Bluetooth, whether it be because you want to preserve any new songs you might’ve heard and liked on a personal device or share lists with a fellow user, both physically at the party and digitally if the user is interested in creating a fully-fledged profile. There will be a fee to rent a “JamBand” for the party, but otherwise, there is no bar for entry.
Emily Jean
This is Emily, she is a 23 year old graduate from Tulane University. Throughout her college days she has been to plenty of parties and definitely has a passion for creating fun parties. She has been a party planner for two years now but wants to improve the music played at her parties. She expresses that her clients do not want to spend a lot of money on dj’s but still want good music played at the parties. The only problem with not spending a lot of money on a dj means that the music played typically will not match the vibe and is most likely outdated. Emily wants a device that will value the music taste of her clients and members of the party. In addition with this device she believes that it would enhance the music played at our party. Which is a prime example of why she would be our target consumer.