Warner Music Group

Project Overview:
Richard led the development of an intuitive royalties management system designed to elevate the user experience for artists, managers, and independent labels across major digital platforms. This system was crafted to provide real-time insights into song performance, streamlining the royalty collection and distribution process and offering detailed analytics that empower users to manage their music assets more effectively.

Problem Statement and Approach:
The music industry is increasingly reliant on digital platforms for distribution, creating a complex ecosystem where artists and managers often struggle to track their royalties accurately. Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) play a crucial role in ensuring artists receive their fair share of royalties, but existing systems lacked the transparency and real-time data necessary for effective management.

The WMG design team and I began by conducting extensive interviews with stakeholders at every level of the company to identify the core challenges. The findings revealed that music analytics were critical to the company’s future success. With this insight, Rowhouse Digital embarked on a digital transformation initiative, focusing on developing a royalties management system that not only met the needs of artists and managers but also positioned the company as a leader in the industry.

Solution:
The resulting royalties management system integrated advanced APIs and AI-driven technologies to monitor song performance across platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, TikTok, and Amazon Music. This system provided real-time data on song plays and streams, allowing users to manage royalties with unprecedented accuracy. It also offered a detailed comparison of on-air versus reported performances, helping users to identify trends and growth opportunities.

The UX design focused on creating a seamless and engaging user experience, ensuring consistency in product offerings and brand voice across all touchpoints. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including engineering, marketing, and product management, was key to maintaining this consistency and delivering a product that exceeded user expectations.

TOOLS & METHODS

• Strategy and Concept Design
• Generative and Evaluative User Interviews
• Wireframe + Prototyping
• Usability Prototype testing
• Client Management
• Design System
• Component Library
• Tools: Pen & Paper, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, XD, Figma, and Sketch