Simply Rhythm

How to help people practice rhythm in an accessible, fun way?

 In this case study, I’ll show you how I made the challenge learning rhythm and percussion in an accessible, creative way. 

About The Project

 A concept app developed as part of an academic project in collaboration with Simply. While the company was not directly involved in commissioning or implementing the app, the project was inspired by their mission and included feedback sessions with company representatives. The app focuses on learning rhythm and playing percussion/drums using any object or surface in the surroundings, utilizing sound analysis technology, and solving the logistical challenge of learning through percussion

Challenge

Help users learn rhythm in a creative & easy way

Problems & 
Pain Points

People don't have drums or percussion in their house.

The gap between deciding to learn drums and achieving Satisfaction from learning rhythm is big.

 The percussion world requires space & special acoustic areas.

 These insights highlited the need of practical experience product,  even without any actual percussion instrument.

Target Audience 
  • People who like percussion and rhythm and would like to develop their Rhythmic skills.

  • Children who are interested in learning to play the drums. A common thing is that everyone is a beginner in the field.

My Approach - Turning Everyday Objects into Instruments

Simply Rhythm bridges the gap between learning rhythm and drumming by turning everyday objects into instruments, transforming their sounds into musical instruments in your ears—making rhythm practice immersive, accessible, and fun.


Ideation & Middle Phase

I explored design systems that support real-time audio feedback and information architectures that guide users to learn confidently and intuitively.
My main UX challenges focused on:
  1. Determining whether a horizontal or vertical layout provides the most intuitive play experience
  2. Defining the optimal visual hierarchy for notes to maximize affordance and feedback.
  3. Designing a user journey that clearly communicates the app’s core purpose and capabilities. 


Solutions

A horizontal layout gives users more time to react, reducing cognitive load and improving play accuracy.
Color-based hierarchy and opacity guide focus and improve accessibility.
Real-time feedback keeps users engaged and motivated to continue.
Onboarding adapts to the user’s environment, addressing edge cases for first-time users.
Main screen. Lets users explore rhythm lessons or song-based practice, prompting calibration before starting.
Clear, step-by-step instructions guide users through object calibration.
Onboarding flow.
User flow while practicing on the app.
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