Now Playing screen
Musyka began with a simple question: what if music interfaces felt more like the generation they served—fluid, bold, and socially alive? I noticed that while music apps were functionally rich, they often fell into outdated visual conventions or overlooked the micro-interactions that today’s users expect. I wanted to explore what a more expressive and socially responsive listening experience could look like.
Explorety discovery screen
Early on, I questioned the rigidity of traditional layouts. I sketched interfaces that moved away from list-based hierarchies and leaned into card systems, gradient overlays, and dynamic states. I studied apps like Spotify and Stationhead, but also drew from non-music platforms like BeReal and TikTok. The challenge was finding a rhythm between familiarity and experimentation. I mapped out user flows based on listening intent—passive, social, curious—and adapted the UI accordingly.
Track comment overlay
One of my favorite features is the comment system tied to timestamps in the Control Center. It took a few tries to get it right. At first, it felt invasive, but anchoring it just above the track wave, with clear visibility controls, gave it the right balance. I also kept returning to the question of hierarchy—where should social features live, and how should they surface without hijacking the listening experience? The result was a system that adapts contextually, offering interaction without pressure.
Library screen
Visually, I relied on blur, soft noise gradients, and scale transitions to evoke an ambient, touchable atmosphere. Every screen had to feel breathable. I avoided sharp contrasts, opting instead for type that glows gently on white, playful icon shapes, and motion that suggests elasticity. Tiny things made a difference—comment shadows, search transitions, or the way Explorey pulses just enough to invite without screaming for attention.
Friends screen
If I were starting now, I’d simplify the Friends section even more. There’s something about over-structuring social space that feels unnatural. But this project sharpened how I think about emotion in interface design. Musyka wasn’t just about features—it was about presence, pace, and personality. It taught me to think less in screens and more in moments.
Copyright Maksim Anisimov.
Now Playing screen
Musyka began with a simple question: what if music interfaces felt more like the generation they served—fluid, bold, and socially alive? I noticed that while music apps were functionally rich, they often fell into outdated visual conventions or overlooked the micro-interactions that today’s users expect. I wanted to explore what a more expressive and socially responsive listening experience could look like.
Explorety discovery screen
Early on, I questioned the rigidity of traditional layouts. I sketched interfaces that moved away from list-based hierarchies and leaned into card systems, gradient overlays, and dynamic states. I studied apps like Spotify and Stationhead, but also drew from non-music platforms like BeReal and TikTok. The challenge was finding a rhythm between familiarity and experimentation. I mapped out user flows based on listening intent—passive, social, curious—and adapted the UI accordingly.
Track comment overlay
One of my favorite features is the comment system tied to timestamps in the Control Center. It took a few tries to get it right. At first, it felt invasive, but anchoring it just above the track wave, with clear visibility controls, gave it the right balance. I also kept returning to the question of hierarchy—where should social features live, and how should they surface without hijacking the listening experience? The result was a system that adapts contextually, offering interaction without pressure.
Library screen
Visually, I relied on blur, soft noise gradients, and scale transitions to evoke an ambient, touchable atmosphere. Every screen had to feel breathable. I avoided sharp contrasts, opting instead for type that glows gently on white, playful icon shapes, and motion that suggests elasticity. Tiny things made a difference—comment shadows, search transitions, or the way Explorey pulses just enough to invite without screaming for attention.
Friends screen
If I were starting now, I’d simplify the Friends section even more. There’s something about over-structuring social space that feels unnatural. But this project sharpened how I think about emotion in interface design. Musyka wasn’t just about features—it was about presence, pace, and personality. It taught me to think less in screens and more in moments.
Copyright Maksim Anisimov.