musical instrument learning app
SOUND STEPS
Many kids from low- and middle-income families don’t have access to music teachers or consistent music education. Apps like YouTube are helpful, but they lack structure, interaction, and progress tracking.
Client
CiTY OF BOSTON.
Date
June 2025
Industry
Creative & Digital Media
Scope of work
Research
Product Design
Problem
Access to music education is often limited by cost, availability of instructors, and lack of structured learning tools—especially for kids from low- and middle-income families. While platforms like YouTube offer free content, they lack structure, feedback, and personalized progression. This often leads to kids losing motivation, skipping important foundational skills, or giving up altogether. Parents are frustrated too—they want their kids to learn, but don’t know how to guide or support them effectively.
Challenge
Designing for kids comes with unique UX hurdles: • Attention spans are short, especially in digital spaces. • The app had to feel cool and fun, but also safe and educational. • The experience needed to be simple enough for a child to use independently. • We had to balance gamification with real learning.
