Music videos on Xbox One

In November 2013 we launched the Xbox One. While the new console presented a lot of exciting opportunities, the v1 version of the Music app on Xbox One was fairly basic. When compared to what had been shipped on the previous generation console, there were a few notable missing features. Music videos was one of them. 

The living room was the primary context in which Xbox Music was used at the time. YouTube (partnering with Vevo) was emerging as the most popular free music (and music video) offering. The basic version of the problem statement involved allowing users to find and play music videos in Xbox Music on their new console.

A gaming/entertainment console is connected to the largest screen, and the best speakers in the house. We wanted to take advantage of this and create an engaging experience in the living room with music and music videos that helped increase overall engagement with Xbox Music in the living room.

ROLE : Product Designer | UX Program Manager

FOR : Xbox

DATE : Mar 2014

URL : Music Videos on Xbox One

• Product design and UX vision for Music Videos on Xbox One
  
• Created UX and UI designs for target set of scenarios. Partnered with a visual designer on the team for final typography, color, and layout choices.
• Co-invented the experience, and drove requirements with client and service teams to enable the desired user experience.
• Managed the roadmap for the experience
• Worked closely with a talented team of engineers to ship the experience on Xbox One
• Worked with PR and Marketing teams on launch plan

“With the app, Microsoft has removed the divide between songs and music videos.” – Dante D’Orazio, The Verge

“Vevo, a joint venture between venture between Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group with a strategic investment by Google, has quickly become the go-to source for music videos, and has grown significantly in the last year partly because of its effort to get on more televisions. But Xbox One has been a holdout. This might explain why.” – Joan Solsman, CNET

“Xbox Music fan? Your experience is about to get better now that Microsoft has launched over 92,000 music videos for your viewing, and of course listening pleasure.” – Lily Prasuethsut, TechRadar