Implementing Volume Control into dCS LINA DAC
Expanding the product's usability and reach of a niche product.
Project Overview
Client
dCS Audio
Team
Nirish Shakya- UX Consultant, Leo Wong- Product Designer(digital), Matt Taylor - Product Manager
Duration
3 months
Year
2023
Skills
(UX) Research
Data Analysis
Wireframing
User Interface
Tools
Wireframing
Miro
The Brief
dCS audio LINA is a new product series from dCS, designed specifically for headphone listeners. It includes a Network Streaming DAC, a Headphone Amplifier, and a Master Clock. These components can be purchased individually or as a complete system.
However, dCS Audio identified an opportunity to expand LINA's usability by introducing a new feature - volume control within the LINA DAC. This enhancement would enable LINA to function independently, catering to a broader audience, including both headphone and speaker enthusiasts.
Key Objectives:
- Add the ability to control volume without the LINA amp
- Increase the visibility of the display in sit-back experience from a distance
- Prevent potential damage to speakers due to sudden volume changes
The Design Process Overview
RESEARCH
01.
UI Workshop
We ran a workshop with LINA users to gather their input on the new volume control feature. We also wanted to identify any potential concerns or usability issues.
02.
Diverge and Converge
We used the Diverge and Converge method to generate and refine potential solutions.
03.
User Interviews
We conducted user interviews with dealers from around the world to get their feedback on the proposed solutions
04.
Iterations
We iteration the initial design, complying the existing design system and revisit the titlesa and information architecture.
Workshop: LINA UI Exploration
RESEARCH
To kickstart the project, we organised a LINA UI workshop with the dCS Team, including director, designers, engineers, customer service manager and product manager. The primary objectives were:
01. Introducing Volume Control: Brainstorming ways to introduce volume control to LINA DAC for both headphone and speaker users.
02. Switching Modes: Finding a solution for users to easily and safely switch between Headphone mode (fixed output) and 2-channel mode (variable output).
Low-fidelity Prototype & User Interviews
With the selected ideas in mind, I proceeded to create a low-fidelity prototype using Figma. The prototype showcased how the new volume control and display enhancements would work in the LINA user interface.
To validate our design decisions, we conducted user interviews with dealers and audiophiles from around the world. The feedback received during this phase was largely positive, with users appreciating the ease of navigation and the added flexibility of LINA DAC.
Balance Control
DESIGN
Designing a balance control feature for LINA, in conjunction with the newly integrated volume control, presented an exciting opportunity to further enhance the user experience. Understanding the importance of balance adjustments in creating an immersive and personalised audio environment, we embarked on a meticulous design process.
Drawing from the insights gathered during the UI exploration workshop, we recognised the significance of providing users with intuitive and accessible control over the audio balance. Leveraging the existing framework of the LINA user interface, we strategised to seamlessly incorporate the balance control feature within the device settings menu, ensuring its visibility and ease of access for users.
To optimise the visual representation of the balance control, we employed a user-friendly slider mechanism, enabling users to adjust the balance with precision and ease. Implementing visual cues and indicators, we ensured that users could readily perceive and track their adjustments, thereby creating a seamless and engaging interaction with the feature.
Design Iteration & High-fidelity Prototype
DESIGN
To determine the placement of the volume lock, font size selection, and language selection settings, we conducted a card sorting exercise with five participants. The consensus was that the volume lock should fall under device settings, font size selection should be accessible under display settings, and the addition of language selection in the interface was crucial to expand exposure to China.
Learning from the last prototype, some of the users misunderstand that the screen was a touchscreen, and to add more user context, I integrated the product shot into the prototype, to enable participants to understand how the system works.
Screen Resolution Challenge
PRODUCT SHIPMENT
One challenge we encountered during the product shipment phase was the limitation of the current screen resolution. While enhancing the visibility of the LINA display, we had to ensure that the changes would not negatively impact users with lower-resolution screens. Multiple font size mock up were placed in context, we ran an internal testing with our colleagues, and revised base on the number of text display on the screen, and the visibility in distance. We strike the perfect balance on visibility and readability.
Conclusion
The integration of volume control into LINA DAC marks a significant step forward in expanding the product's usability and reach. Through a collaborative design process that involved workshops, ideation, and user testing, we were able to address the key challenges and enhance the LINA user experience. The positive feedback received during user interviews has further validated the success of this project.
With this enhancement, LINA now appeals to a broader audience of audiophiles, catering to both headphone and speaker enthusiasts, while maintaining its reputation for delivering high-quality audio experiences. The project not only solved the initial design challenges but also opened up new possibilities for future improvements in LINA's functionality.
As we move forward, we remain committed to addressing challenges such as screen resolution limitations and ensuring that the user interface is optimized for all users. The addition of language selection, especially Chinese support, reflects our dedication to expanding LINA's market presence and providing a truly global audio experience. The journey to enhance LINA continues, and we are excited about the possibilities it brings to the world of audiophiles.