Designing a leading management platform for global radio broadcasters
Radioplayer, a collaborative venture between the BBC and commercial radio, is dedicated to simplifying radio listening across internet-connected devices. With a global reach spanning 14 territories, Radioplayer sought to revolutionise radio technology with its innovative shared-platform approach. As the lead designer, I collaborated with a diverse team of product managers, creatives, and developers to spearhead the creation of Radioplayer's Worldwide Platform - a groundbreaking SaaS tool empowering global broadcasting partners to manage localised radio stations, share content, and establish a unified global search engine and metadata standards.
The project presented a myriad of challenges, given its scale, novelty, and multi-lingual requirements. We needed to accommodate diverse functional and content needs from different territories while ensuring coherence and efficiency. Mapping the entire service, identifying core goals, and documenting primary functions through user journey maps were critical steps. Additionally, establishing common UI patterns and design principles to facilitate rapid prototyping, iterative design, and scalability posed significant challenges.
To overcome these challenges, we implemented a comprehensive solution framework. We developed a robust design system comprising defined UI and UX patterns and principles, ensuring consistency and coherence across the product. This facilitated the creation of testable prototypes, iterative design processes, and documentation of component behaviours and interactions.
Core screens and journeys were meticulously designed, prototyped, and rigorously tested to support essential functions required by Radioplayer's global broadcasting partners. From routine administrative tasks to complex functionality like branding stations, managing live streams and defining geographical broadcast areas, the platform was equipped to meet diverse needs efficiently and effectively.
In my role as lead product designer for this transformative project, I bore the responsibility of comprehending the core requirements and objectives outlined by global stakeholders. Facilitating seamless communication within delivery teams, I ensured that design decisions were effectively conveyed, paving the way for the successful delivery of the platform.
Despite facing an array of complex challenges, our commitment to design thinking, coupled with iterative testing and refinement, enabled us to craft a scalable, robust, and elegantly simple design system. This system served as the linchpin in delivering a brand new SaaS platform that resonated with global partners, embodying both functionality and aesthetic appeal, ultimately driving deeper user satisfaction, engagement and adoption.
- Product design & service mapping
- Stakeholder and audience workshops
- User journey modelling
- Prototyping
- UX & UI design
- Design system