Spotify - Enhance playlist

As part of the Playlist 2.0 project, I worked closely with product managers Kelly Drecourt and Simon Amor, plus engineering manager Luiz Freitas to figure out how AI could make personal playlists better.

Research & Testing

I started by building a basic test version to see if our tech could handle the feature. We then ran tests with different user groups to make sure it wouldn't hurt our main goals, and did research sessions with premium users.

Finding the Problems

User research showed three big issues:

• Users couldn't tell when their playlist was "enhanced"

• The introduction didn't clearly explain what the feature did or how it worked

• Confusing text left users unsure about what would happen to their music

Design Solutions

I treated the enhanced playlist as a changed version of the original, not something completely new. Key design choices included:

• Smooth changes: The original playlist transforms into its enhanced version with smooth animations

• Clear visual feedback: New tracks slide in with obvious animations so users see exactly what changed

• Smart header design: Fixed the problem of changing vs. fixed playlist artwork while making better use of screen space (the header was taking up 30% of the screen)

• Better onboarding: Redesigned the intro to clearly explain the value and how it works

Working with Engineering

I worked closely with the tech team to make sure the enhanced playlist felt like part of the original experience, not like a popup or separate feature. This meant careful attention to how parts of the screen moved and changed.