KouKid App
Setar Instrument Tuner for Children
Industry
Private Company
Timeline:
8 weeks
UI/UX Design
Context
The project focuses on designing a digital tuner tailored for young Setar students, using the phone’s microphone to recognize string sounds with clarity and simplicity, enabling children to tune their instruments independently.
Project Role
User Researcher,
UI/UX designer
Problem
The Setar instrument is a traditional Iranian musical instrument. There are several challenges in the Iranian music system. First of all, the structure of Iranian music is challenging, and its books are heavy and specialized, especially for children. On the other hand, the structure of the Iranian musical instruments and tuning them are so complex as well. Although there are many professional applications to help the learner to tune their device, the process is so bewildering for a child.
Solution
I concentrated on designing a simple and clear mobile application that is easy to interact with. Make it children-friendly with a bright and sharp colour palette and a character to represent the instrument in a fun way. Moreover, by providing extra information and a rewarding system, I tend to encourage children to know more about the Setar instrument.
earch methods
This research utilizes qualitative, attitudinal methods, including field studies with a focus group, face-to-face meetings at a private music institute, and structured observations of eight children aged 8-12, along with three instructors, during their regular sessions. The aim is to gather nuanced insights into children’s interactions with tuning and the Setar, with additional in-depth interviews for supplementary data.
Results:
- Challenge in teaching and learning the basic methods for instructors and children.
- Children are puzzled by the look and results of the existing applications.
- A tendency to give up tuning during the process and leave the task to their instructors.
- Most children need to be made aware of the origin of the Setar.
- The look of applications needs to be more modern and exciting.
Conclusion:
- An interesting and attractive color palette that triggers children’s attention and concentration is needed.
- A persona or character that shows the results by emotional expressions while tuning the instrument can be more practical for children, as well as text guidance and suggestions.
- A reward system and gamification to encourage them to collect valuable assets as a game to raise their awareness about the Setar and its origin.