Combining the tangibility of physical artefacts with the boundless potential of AI and digital connectivity, we aimed to redefine the music listening experience with our experiential project Tapeify.
Tapeify Cassettes are a set of laser etched cassette tapes with Spotify codes and NFC capabilities to connect the user with a digital playlist.
Influenced by the lessons learned from my rapid prototype SoundCard, which blended the analogue charm of a physical card with the digital convenience of Spotify streaming, Tapeify sought to build and deliver the ultimate music accessory. Tapeify was built with a strong relationship to the concept of Transmedia, with the cassettes acting as a physical delivery mechanism for digital content. Consumers enjoy transmedia products because they offer a multi-dimensional, immersive experience.
Rewinding to the start of session, I individually experimented with a remix and bricolage of the traditional ‘business card’, incorporating technology-based features as inspired by my passion for music and UX.
Notably, I learnt how valuable ChatGPT is when building a project since I could ask questions on subjects which I lacked adequate knowledge in, such as copyright restrictions, compatibility requirements with relevant platforms including Spotify and Beam, as well as marketing ideation since the software is free, fast and adaptable.
By experimenting with different materials for SoundCard (both wood and acrylic), I learnt the intricacies of laser-etching when the digital features are interdependent of the physical design. The Spotify code did not scan on the acrylic SoundCard prototypes, a support article online linked this to a lack of contrast behind the code which is required when scanning in the Spotify app. This newfound knowledge assisted in material selection for Tapeify Cassettes.
Through the development of SoundCard, I familiarised myself with Beam Studio. By the time we reached production of Tapeify Casettes, I was already familiar with file requirements, dimensions, software intricacies, and manual steps for use of the machinery. A tutorial from Travis, Beam Support articles and Reddit helped build a knowledge-base for both software and hardware use.
Considering the attention economy, we needed to cleverly position Tapeify in the market. For marketing development, I primarily used Canva to create social content that is short, engages the audience within the first three seconds, and adds continuity to our digital presence. Harnessing platforms including TikTok and Instagram, we deployed various marketing collateral online, considering algorithmic culture and its impact on content dissemination, with ability to shape both perceptions and desires.
Seeking to develop an experiential product in all facets, we developed an AI assistant for users first-point-of-contact, TapeifyBot, which is a chatbot remix built on UChat infrastructure. Developed to be conversational, users input their favourite artists or desired mood to receive a personalised music playlist. In line with participatory culture and our mission of bringing the listener closer to their music, TapeifyBot generates a collection of songs with user-assisted curation.
Stepping back, Tapeify had both strong digital and physical facets. The physical product relied on an AI chatbot and Spotify, and was marketed via digital and social media channels. Once again the theme of Transmedia and Interdependence appeared.
As we iterated Tapeify, opportunities to add additional features arose. In an attempt to bring listeners closer to their music, we introduced Near-field Communication (NFC) capabilities. We had noticed a gap in the user experience as users had to spend time opening Spotify, navigating to the search tab, opening the scanner and pressing play. Spotify codes could not be read in the default camera app and were unreliable – dependent on lighting and engraving quality. First experimenting with QR codes, we soon realised they cluttered the design and couldn’t be scaled down to an acceptable size without compromising readability.
We took inspiration from App Clips, a feature of Apple’s iOS which uses NFC to instantly launch an optimised, micro-scale app. In NFC’s introduction, we chose stickers, since chips were expensive and we could not integrate them without compromising on the design’s slimness. I altered the etch design with Canva to make the circular stickers a central element so they didn’t look like a last-minute addition.
Refinements to the display box design and the introduction of a lid further exemplified our adaptive approach. Inspired by retro hi-fi systems and classic cassette tape storage units, we created a transparent, tinted lid that imbued a sense of nostalgia. Enhanced practicality and aesthetics came together through a second generation box with thicker borders and indentations, marking yet another refinement in our project.
To ensure Tapeify’s continued sustainability, we released all code and design assets under the Creative Commons 0 License. This ensures the project’s continuity, inviting others to build upon our foundation. This step embodies the collaborative spirit that has driven Tapeify’s development.
All resources are available for public use at tapeify.co/source-code
The development of a digital artefact this session has provided foundational lessons for product prototyping, development and iteration. I’ve learnt how to use a laser-cutter with Beam, the importance of the attention economy when marketing, and the power of artificial intelligence. It’s been wonderful working on the Tapeify team to deliver a functioning project with a sustainable future.
You can access our team wrap-up here. I also invite you to follow along with us @tapeifycassettes.