A hill I'm willing to die on:
Spotify's UI & UX will never be defeated.
With 678+ million users, there's a reason it dominates music apps.
Let me break down why its design is so good (and what you can steal from it):
Spotify's UI & UX will never be defeated.
With 678+ million users, there's a reason it dominates music apps.
Let me break down why its design is so good (and what you can steal from it):
1. The navigation is stupid simple:
• Home
• Search
• Your Library
That's it. NEVER more than 2 taps from anything.
While most apps keep adding useless features to their bottom navigator, @Spotify understood that less is more.
• Home
• Search
• Your Library
That's it. NEVER more than 2 taps from anything.
While most apps keep adding useless features to their bottom navigator, @Spotify understood that less is more.
2. The mini-player
It sits at the bottom - always there but never in the way.
The gesture to expand/minimize it feels SO natural you forget it's designed. It just becomes muscle memory.
This is what great UX is about - when you stop noticing it exists.
It sits at the bottom - always there but never in the way.
The gesture to expand/minimize it feels SO natural you forget it's designed. It just becomes muscle memory.
This is what great UX is about - when you stop noticing it exists.
3. Color adaptation.
The UI subtly changes to match album covers, creating this perfect balance between:
• Looking incredibly cool
• Not burning your eyes
• Still feeling like Spotify
@AppleMusic
tried to copy this but it feels clunky in comparison.
The UI subtly changes to match album covers, creating this perfect balance between:
• Looking incredibly cool
• Not burning your eyes
• Still feeling like Spotify
@AppleMusic
tried to copy this but it feels clunky in comparison.
4. Search feature
Instead of just "type what you want" - it's a discovery zone with:
• Trending topics
• Visual genre tiles
• Smart suggestions
It's pretty cool. BUT your searches don't sync across platforms!!! Extremely frustrating.
Instead of just "type what you want" - it's a discovery zone with:
• Trending topics
• Visual genre tiles
• Smart suggestions
It's pretty cool. BUT your searches don't sync across platforms!!! Extremely frustrating.
5. Their recommendations make @AppleMusic look stupid.
But what's brilliant is HOW they present them:
Clean labels like "Popular with listeners of..." whatever podcast you listen to most. Nothing is thrown at you randomly.
Beautiful example of minimalist UI design.
But what's brilliant is HOW they present them:
Clean labels like "Popular with listeners of..." whatever podcast you listen to most. Nothing is thrown at you randomly.
Beautiful example of minimalist UI design.
6. Neat home screen
• Recents
• Made For 'Denis'
• Discover Weekly
It removes all decision fatigue by serving exactly what you need before you even know you want it.
This is what happens when UX centres around how people actually use things.
• Recents
• Made For 'Denis'
• Discover Weekly
It removes all decision fatigue by serving exactly what you need before you even know you want it.
This is what happens when UX centres around how people actually use things.
7. Lyrics/subtitles integration is super cool:
It syncs perfectly, highlights the current line, and keeps it clean.
This is one of those features that brings me actual joy - and @AppleMusic still hasn't caught up after years of trying.
It syncs perfectly, highlights the current line, and keeps it clean.
This is one of those features that brings me actual joy - and @AppleMusic still hasn't caught up after years of trying.
8. Device switching is MAGIC.
Start on your phone, control from laptop. Move to your TV mid-song.
This "Spotify Connect" makes other apps feel like they're stuck in 2010.
Although generally speaking the desktop UI for Spotify is way worse than mobile - more on that in a bit.
Start on your phone, control from laptop. Move to your TV mid-song.
This "Spotify Connect" makes other apps feel like they're stuck in 2010.
Although generally speaking the desktop UI for Spotify is way worse than mobile - more on that in a bit.
9. Every detail feels crafted:
• The pulsing animation that matches the beat
• Queue management that's one swipe away
• Context-aware menus that adapt
• Smooth AF volume slider
These tiny things add up to an experience that just FEELS right.
• The pulsing animation that matches the beat
• Queue management that's one swipe away
• Context-aware menus that adapt
• Smooth AF volume slider
These tiny things add up to an experience that just FEELS right.
I will be honest though: their desktop app kinda sucks...
I barely even use it because it feels like a COMPLETELY different product.
Even the search results are different between mobile and desktop with the same account - it's extremely frustrating.
But other than that, @Spotify really wins the game with its thoughtful design when it comes to mobile experience.
I barely even use it because it feels like a COMPLETELY different product.
Even the search results are different between mobile and desktop with the same account - it's extremely frustrating.
But other than that, @Spotify really wins the game with its thoughtful design when it comes to mobile experience.
A lot of apps keep adding features nobody asked for.
@Spotify does the opposite - they constantly remove friction and refine what matters.
It is an awesome example of peak mobile design since it respects platform patterns while still feeling special.
@Spotify does the opposite - they constantly remove friction and refine what matters.
It is an awesome example of peak mobile design since it respects platform patterns while still feeling special.
I've tried all the others.
Apple Music. YouTube Music. Pandora. Tidal.
None come close to the mobile experience. Not because they're bad, but because Spotify went all-in on FEEL over features.
As I often say: that's the difference between good and exceptional design.
Apple Music. YouTube Music. Pandora. Tidal.
None come close to the mobile experience. Not because they're bad, but because Spotify went all-in on FEEL over features.
As I often say: that's the difference between good and exceptional design.
My biggest takeaway:
The best UI designs aren't the ones with the most features or trendy visuals - they're the ones that become invisible because they work so damn well.
Craft > features.
Feel > flashiness.
What other apps deserve a UI breakdown? Drop them below.
The best UI designs aren't the ones with the most features or trendy visuals - they're the ones that become invisible because they work so damn well.
Craft > features.
Feel > flashiness.
What other apps deserve a UI breakdown? Drop them below.
Founders:
I’ve helped 60+ startups ship beautiful products.
So if you’re looking for a banging UX/UI design for your app/product...
Book a call and let’s see how I can help: cal.com/denisjeliazkov…
I’ve helped 60+ startups ship beautiful products.
So if you’re looking for a banging UX/UI design for your app/product...
Book a call and let’s see how I can help: cal.com/denisjeliazkov…
Liked this thread?
Give your bro @DenisJeliazkov a follow for more cool design processes & breakdowns.
And like/repost to help a fellow designer:
Give your bro @DenisJeliazkov a follow for more cool design processes & breakdowns.
And like/repost to help a fellow designer:
https://twitter.com/711232574245498880/status/1923047851875242487
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