Case Study — [ 06/08 ]
Stax is a record collectors companion app of my own creation, dreamed up during the pandemic of 2020. It was born from a desire to recreate the joy of discovering vinyl and connecting with fellow collectors, even when visiting record stores wasn’t possible.
Stax aims to recreate the thrill of exploring record shops and fairs, helping you discover vinyl gems to add to your collection. As a passionate record collector, I’ve missed the in-store experience and wanted to create a way for collectors to connect, share their collections, and potentially buy or trade records.
In a world where music is just a search away, I wanted to capture the feeling of browsing a record store, the excitement of not knowing what you might find. Stax aims to bring back that thrill by allowing you to explore other users’ collections, giving you the chance to discover, buy, and trade records in a digital space.
THE CHALLENGE
As a passionate record collector, during the pandemic, I really missed the feeling of digging through crates at a record store, not knowing what I might find but always hoping for that perfect gem. Streaming services have made music more accessible than ever, but they’ve taken away the thrill of discovery and the personal connections that come with collecting. I wanted to create a way to bring that feeling back, a space where collectors like me can browse each other’s collections, connect over shared tastes, and maybe even buy or trade records.
How could I create that sense of excitement from discovery and exploration without the access to the physical environment to explore?
DISCOVERY
Planning
Like any product (even one I’ve produced myself) my initial task is to gather requirements and identify pain points and problems.
With Stax, I was inspired by the following pain points:
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Because of Covid/lockdown stores and fairs are inaccessible.
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Discovering music has become a soulless experience. Music is easily accessible using Spotify, Amazon, iTunes. Even supermarkets sell records now. Therefore the joy of discovery is somewhat removed.
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Having a wish list and visiting a store for the records you want to add to your collection are part of the experience.
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Record community cannot interact and discuss shared interest in music.
Research
I figured it would be a good idea to talk to other collectors to see if what I had in mind was actually something valuable.
Since lockdown made face-to-face conversations impossible, I turned to friends and Instagram to connect with potential users. It ended up being a great way to reach out to collectors and store owners and get their feedback.
Note: I’ve used place holder names and photos to protect their anonymity.
Interviewee 1
Collector
- Can you tell me a bit about your record collecting habits before the pandemic?
"Before the pandemic, I loved spending weekends at record stores and fairs, digging through crates and discovering hidden gems. It was as much about the experience and atmosphere as it was about finding records." - How did the inability to visit record stores and fairs during the pandemic affect your collecting experience?
"It was frustrating not being able to go to stores. I missed the thrill of the hunt and the conversations with other collectors. Online shopping isn’t the same—it feels more transactional." - Did you find any alternative ways to discover and buy records during that time?
"I started using online marketplaces and social media groups to find records. It worked to some extent, but I missed the in-person experience." - Have you used any vinyl cataloging or marketplace apps? If so, what’s your experience been like with them?
"Yes, I’ve used Discogs and a couple of others. They're helpful for cataloging, but the social aspect is lacking—it feels like a marketplace rather than a community." - How important is the social aspect of collecting records to you? Do you miss connecting with other collectors in person?
"Very important. Some of my best finds came from chatting with other collectors or store owners. That connection is part of what makes collecting so special." - Would you be interested in an app that helps you connect with other collectors and recreate that sense of discovery?
"Absolutely. If I could browse collections and chat with other collectors, it would make the experience feel more personal." - Is there anything else you’d like to share about how your collecting habits have changed or what you wish was available to make collecting easier or more enjoyable?
"It would be great to have an app that combines cataloging with a social element—something that recreates the feel of crate-digging and talking to fellow collectors."
Interviewee 2
Shop/Store Owner
- Can you tell me a bit about your record collecting habits before the pandemic?
"Running the shop was my life. I’d also attend record fairs to source rare items and network with other sellers and collectors." - How did the inability to visit record stores and fairs during the pandemic affect your collecting experience?
"It was tough. Foot traffic disappeared almost overnight, and that sense of community around the shop was gone. Sales dropped, and I had to shift to online sales to survive." - Did you find any alternative ways to discover and buy records during that time?
"I started sourcing more records online, but it’s not the same as handling them in person and talking to other dealers." - Have you used any vinyl cataloging or marketplace apps? If so, what’s your experience been like with them?
"Yes, I used Discogs and eBay more during the pandemic. It’s great for business, but it’s very transactional—there’s no sense of community." - How important is the social aspect of collecting records to you? Do you miss connecting with other collectors in person?
"Huge. The shop was more than just a place to buy records—it was a place where people hung out, shared finds, and talked music." - Would you be interested in an app that helps you connect with other collectors and recreate that sense of discovery?
"Definitely. If there was a way to showcase the shop’s inventory and engage with collectors directly, that would be amazing."
Interviewee 3
Casual Collector
- Can you tell me a bit about your record collecting habits before the pandemic?
"I wasn’t a serious collector, but I loved stopping by record stores whenever I had the chance. I’d pick up a few records now and then, usually based on nostalgia or cool album art." - How did the inability to visit record stores and fairs during the pandemic affect your collecting experience?
"It made me realize how much I enjoyed the experience of browsing. Online shopping didn’t give me that same feeling of discovery." - Did you find any alternative ways to discover and buy records during that time?
"I bought a few records online, but it felt more like shopping than collecting. I missed stumbling across something unexpected." - Have you used any vinyl cataloging or marketplace apps? If so, what’s your experience been like with them?
"I’ve tried Discogs, but it feels more geared toward serious collectors. It’s useful, but not very engaging." - How important is the social aspect of collecting records to you? Do you miss connecting with other collectors in person?
"I didn’t realise how much I’d miss it until it was gone. Even just chatting with a store owner or another collector while browsing was part of the fun." - Would you be interested in an app that helps you connect with other collectors and recreate that sense of discovery?
"Yes, especially if it makes it easy to explore collections and maybe even get recommendations."
Interviewee 4
Vinyl Enthusiast/Community Organizer
- Can you tell me a bit about your record collecting habits before the pandemic?
"I’ve been collecting for years and was involved in organizing local record swaps and meetups. It’s as much about the community as the records." - How did the inability to visit record stores and fairs during the pandemic affect your collecting experience?
"It really hurt the community. Without events and meetups, we lost that sense of connection. Buying records became more solitary." - Did you find any alternative ways to discover and buy records during that time?
"We tried to keep the community alive with online meetups and trading groups, but it wasn’t the same." - Have you used any vinyl cataloging or marketplace apps? If so, what’s your experience been like with them?
"Yes, Discogs and eBay were helpful for cataloging and buying, but they don’t offer much in terms of community interaction." - How important is the social aspect of collecting records to you? Do you miss connecting with other collectors in person?
"It’s everything. The best part of collecting is sharing knowledge, swapping stories, and connecting over music." - Would you be interested in an app that helps you connect with other collectors and recreate that sense of discovery?
"Absolutely. An app that combines cataloging with social features—like seeing other collections, chatting, and trading—would be amazing."
Interviewee 5
Record Market Stall Owner
- Can you tell me a bit about your record collecting habits before the pandemic?
"I’ve been collecting for over a decade. I usually spend hours at record stores, hunting for rare vinyl, and I often travel to different cities just to check out record fairs or meet other collectors." - How did the inability to visit record stores and fairs during the pandemic affect your collecting experience?
"It was really disappointing. Not being able to dig through crates in person and meet other collectors took away a lot of the excitement. Online shopping doesn’t offer the same sense of adventure." - Did you find any alternative ways to discover and buy records during that time?
"I relied more on online marketplaces like Discogs and eBay, but it was hard to find truly rare items. I also joined some online forums, but it wasn’t as satisfying as hunting in person." - Have you used any vinyl cataloging or marketplace apps? If so, what’s your experience been like with them?
"Yes, I use Discogs to catalog my collection, and it’s been great for keeping track of what I have. But when it comes to buying records, I don’t get the same satisfaction as I do from in-store finds." - How important is the social aspect of collecting records to you? Do you miss connecting with other collectors in person?
"It’s very important. Some of my best finds came from talking to other collectors, hearing about their discoveries, and trading stories. I really miss that face-to-face interaction." - Would you be interested in an app that helps you connect with other collectors and recreate that sense of discovery?
"Yes, definitely. If an app could help me discover new records, chat with other collectors, and even arrange trades, it would make up for some of the things I’ve missed during the pandemic."
Interviewee 6
Record Market Stall Owner
- Can you tell me a bit about your record selling habits before the pandemic?
"Before the pandemic, I had a regular spot at local markets and fairs. I’d set up my stall and interact with customers—both new and returning—while sharing stories behind the records I was selling." - How did the inability to visit record stores and fairs during the pandemic affect your selling experience?
"It was a huge blow. The in-person interaction is vital for building trust and relationships with customers. I lost a lot of foot traffic, and it was hard to maintain that personal connection with buyers." - Did you find any alternative ways to sell or promote records during that time?
"I moved my sales online, using platforms like eBay and Discogs, but it’s not the same. I miss the direct interaction with customers and the ability to explain the history or condition of a record in person." - Have you used any vinyl cataloging or marketplace apps? If so, what’s your experience been like with them?
"Yes, I’ve used Discogs to list records for sale. It’s been useful, but I feel like it’s more of a transaction platform and lacks a personal touch, which is essential for building a loyal customer base." - How important is the social aspect of selling records to you? Do you miss connecting with other sellers and buyers in person?
"It’s very important. The conversations with buyers and other vendors are what made market stalls fun and meaningful. Sharing knowledge, offering recommendations—it’s what made the experience special." - Would you be interested in an app that helps you connect with other sellers and collectors and recreate that sense of discovery?
"Definitely. An app that lets me engage with customers, showcase my inventory, and connect with fellow sellers would be fantastic. It would help bring back some of the community feel that’s been lost during the pandemic."
findings & takeaways
COMPETITORS
Discogs
The most popular vinyl cataloging app, allowing you to create a personal collection, track market values, and buy or sell records directly.
Main Benefit
Serious collectors and market tracking.
VinylWall
A visually appealing app that allows you to create a digital “wall” of your vinyl collection. You can browse collections by album cover and track listening stats.
Main Benefit
Visual organisation and social sharing.
MusicBuddy
A music collection manager that supports manual and barcode-based input. It allows you to organize and track albums, add notes, and create wishlists.
Main Benefit
Simple and organized cataloging.
CLZ Music
A comprehensive collection management app that supports manual and barcode entry. Offers cloud syncing and detailed filtering to organise your collection.
Main Benefit
Detailed organisation and cloud backup.
RecordScanner
Uses barcode scanning to quickly add vinyl to your collection. It integrates with Discogs to pull data and track real-time market value.
Main Benefit
Fast and easy cataloging.
VinylBox
Main Benefit
Easily organise and track your vinyl collection with quick barcode scanning.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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The social and community aspects of record collecting and selling are central to the experience. For collectors, conversations often lead to valuable recommendations and for store owners, personal interactions help build loyalty and create a sense of belonging that goes beyond transactions.
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There’s a strong desire for an app that combines cataloging, social interaction, and discovery to recreate the personal and engaging nature of in-person record shopping and selling.
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Both collectors and store owners appreciate online platforms for convenience but are looking for more interactive, community-driven alternatives that offer both transactional and social elements.
ARCHITECTURE
After identifying the key problems, I created a detailed map outlining the structure of the app. This process helped me visualise the overall architecture and gain a clearer understanding of how the different components would interact with each other. By mapping out the app’s framework, I was able to define the user flow, pinpoint potential pain points, and identify opportunities to streamline the experience. This step also allowed me to establish a logical hierarchy for the app’s features, ensuring that navigation would feel intuitive and cohesive.
My idea was to include:
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The ability to browse and connect with like minded collectors through a forum and chat system.
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Ability to easily add your own collection to catalogue and share with others.
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Create a wishlist of records you’d like to add to your collection.
visual style
My approach to Stax was to create a “tactile” experience that mimics real-world interactions. I aimed for a UI that feels familiar and intuitive, where user actions lead to expected outcomes. To enhance this, I used a neumorphic design for key elements. Like a play button that looks and behaves naturally, encouraging direct, human-like interaction.
I also wanted to balance the clean, minimalist UI with the more textured, aged feel of the album artwork. As a big fan of album art, I wanted the artwork to stand out and take center stage wherever it appears.
interaction
I aimed to recreate the experience of flipping through records, similar to browsing in a shop or at a record fair. To capture this, users can scroll through collections much like sifting through a box or shelf of records.
To spark a sense of excitement and discovery, users can search their own collections with a standard search function. However, when exploring another collector’s records, they can only navigate alphabetically and manually flip through the collection, mirroring the feel of crate-digging with the added excitement of not knowing what they may discover.
During the onboarding process, I aimed to subtly align the on-screen imagery with the messaging on each slide. For instance, the second slide, which promotes the wishlist feature, includes records with themes of wishes or hearts. Similarly, the third slide incorporates references to speech to emphasize the ability to chat and connect with other collectors.
Various tags and indicators show the condition, press, and availability of each record in a collection. Users can mark their records as available for purchase or trade by tagging them accordingly.
I also drew inspiration from Dieter Rams and his product designs for Braun, focusing on simplicity, clarity, and functionality. Rams’ philosophy of “less but better” influenced my approach to the UI, ensuring that every element served a clear purpose without adding unnecessary complexity. I aimed to create a clean, intuitive interface where the design stays out of the way, allowing the content—especially the album artwork—to take center stage while maintaining a smooth and consistent user experience.
branding
The Stax name and logo are designed to reflect the feeling of flipping through record collections, capturing the flow and rhythm of browsing vinyl. The logo is flexible and adapts easily across different formats while keeping a consistent feel. There’s also a simple circular mark used as an in-app loader, inspired by the spinning motion of a record, adding a nice touch that ties back to the vinyl experience.
PROJECTS
SOCIALS
