Overview

A study was conducted to determine the most effective design for audio adjustment settings in the Bose Music app.

Challenge

Users were requesting the ability to control their equalizer (EQ) settings, which is a type of audio adjustment, in the app. The stakeholders wanted to determine the most effective display design for the settings menu across different product categories. They also wanted to look at the value of replicating a customized setting on the display.

Process

Recruitment

Participants were non-Bose (external) employees recruited from the UserZoom panel. Participants owned products that fell into the product categories that were assessed. They also had to own a mobile device that was compatible with the app prototype. 

Methodology

This study was a mixed-group design, where participants were divided by the product category they owned. Within each group, participants were exposed to both display designs in randomized order. For each design, they performed navigation tasks that required them to adjust the settings. Lastly, feedback was gathered on participants’ design preference as well as their behavior and expectations with the EQ settings.

Analysis

Mean success rates, preferences, and the desire to replicate customized EQ settings were analyzed to assist in determining which design to move forward with. Participants’ current behaviors and expectations with EQ settings were also evaluated.

Outcomes

Although both display designed had high success rates, one design was clearly preferred by the group. Based on these results, the stakeholders chose the favored design. Take a look at the video to see the design of the EQ settings!