As part of my job hunt to enter the UX industry, I applied for a UX Designer job at Ableton, a music production software company based in Berlin, Germany. To assess my skills in practice, I was asked to complete a test challenge within exactly 1 week. While they found a better match in the end, it was a good learning experience and a great opportunity to showcase my work under a time constraint.

1. Ableton Test Challenge:
Enabling a Better User Experience
for Live 9's 30-day Free Trial
Abdallah El Ali
www.abdoelali.com19 Aug, 2013

2. I. Challenge Overview
II. Approach
III. Analysis
IV. User Research
V. Design
VI. Summary
Outline
2

3. Challenge
Overview
3

4. "We offer a free 30-day trial of our Live software. The trial allows users to use
the full feature set of Ableton Live 9 Suite and should help them to decide if
the software is useful to them.
In order to get the full feature set a few additional steps after downloading the
trial are necessary:
1. Create a user account to authorise the trial
2. Install Max for Live
3. Complete installation of Live’s library since not everything is included in the
trial core installer"
Current Situation
4

5. 1) How might we enable a full installation of the Live Trial with Max for Live
and the additional library content so that users can experience the full feature
set?
2) How might we help users get an idea of what Live is about and how it might
fit their needs?
Tasks
5

6. 1) How might we enable a full installation of the Live Trial with Max for Live
and the additional library content so that users can experience the full feature
set?
! A full-installation means file size may be too big
! Slow internet bandwidth may prevent users from downloading 'tarball'
2) How might we help users get an idea of what Live is about and how it might
fit their needs?
! Full software features may not be useful for novice, intermediate and some
advanced users
Problems
6

7. “One of the eternal conundrums of interaction and
interface design is how to address the needs of
both beginning users and expert users with a
single, coherent interface.” (p. 41, Cooper et al.,
About Face 3)
7

8. Approach
8

9. “Common ways of helping first-time users are to
choose simplifying options that limit the number
of features, while making those features more
comprehensible.” (Schneiderman, 2003)
9

10. Solve Task 1 (full feature set
installation),
by solving Task 2 (getting
different types of users on board)
10

11. 1. Exploration & Analysis
- Expert-driven cognitive walkthrough
- Task flow diagram
2. User Research
- Semi-structured user interviews
- Personas
- Scenarios
3. Design
- Sketching
- Wireframes
- Annotation
4. Presentation
Approach
11

12. Analysis
12

13. 1213

14. Yes
Ableton.com
Click "Try Live for
Free"
Click "Free Download"
Save Live 9
Trial .dmg to
destination?
Open .dmg and Install
Drag Live 9 Trial App
to Applications folder
Open Live 9 Trial app
No
Ableton Live landing
Page.
Click to start "Free
Trial"
Opens Log In account
webpage
No
Yes
Yes
Enter Username and
Password, and submit
Already have an
Account?
Enter User Information
and submit
Logged In to
"Your Account" page.
Live 9 trial activated
for 30 days.
Click "Download"
button next to Max for
Live on Your Account
page
Yes
Start using Live 9
Trial
Continue with next
suggested
installation?
No
Save Max for
Live .dmg to
destination?
No
Continue with next
suggested
installation?
Start using Live 9
Trial + Max for
Live
No
No
Redirect to "Your
Packs" site
"Your Account" page
Click "Your Packs" in
"Your Account" page
Preview pack, Filter
Results, Download
Pack, or Go Back/close
Browser
window
Start using Live 9
Trial + Max for
Live
Download example
Max for Live pack
(e.g., Granulator II)
Download
Go back
Start using Live 9 Trial
+ Max for Live + N
pack(s)
Save pack .alp to
destination?
Yes
Open .alp (automatic
install)
No
Install more packs?
Yes
Task Flow
14

15. 1. Copy on Your Account page misleading "There are just a few steps to follow
to make sure you're ready to start using Free Live 9 Trial." User can stop and
use Live 9 after basic installation
! Clearer copy
2. After installation Max for Live, not clear whether user should restart Live 9,
or how to get started with it. In Live 9 side bar help, Max for Live tutorial
missing. Only if Max for Live pack is downloaded, it says "Free Packs" tutorial
! Max for Live should come with basic pack (e.g., granulator to get started).
! Pop-up Max for Live landing page after Max for Live installation
3. Second time user opens Live 9, the Live 9 Demo (Standard) set is no longer
loaded. Another Live 9 tutorial set is opened. To access the Live 9 Demo:
Applications --> Show Package Contents --> Contents --> App-Resources-->Core
Library-->Lessons-->Sets-->Live 9 Demo_[Standard/Suite].als
! Clear access to Live 9 Demo standard from sidebar
Observations
15

16. 4. Installing, learning, and using Max for Live and additionally inspecting
soundpacks overwhelming and time-consuming
! Recommend Max for Live and/or sound packs based on user profiles
(Musician, DJ, instrument choice, etc.)
5. Colors of Download, Add to Cart, and Authorize buttons the same in Your
Account page. Sounds, Max for Live, and Software instruments spread all
over.
! Differentiate afforded user actions by color
! Column layout for clear separation of Max for Live, Sounds, and Software
Instruments
Observations
16

17. User Research
17

18. ! Semi-structured interview
! 2 male users (novice, expert)
! ~50 min. sessions
! Interview content:
- demographics
- goals, attitudes, and process related to production software & process
- Ableton website usage, learning about Live 9, Max for Live, sound packs
Methods
18

19. Quote:
Egmond the Pro
Music Composer / Producer Professional
Demographics
Overview:
Egmond makes a living composing and producing music. He plays the piano and
keyboard, and does mostly jazz, classical, R&B, and soundtracks. He has been
using Logic Pro X for the last 10 years now, and has no intention of switching.
Downloading trial versions worries him, as it can interfere with his existing software
setup. Videos are his way of knowing quickly what a software can do for him. As a
musician who composes, live software features don't benefit him. Neither do sound
samples, he creates his own.
Key Characteristics:
• Tech-savvy
• Composes music and produces for a living
• Focuses on orchestral pieces, theatre
• Creative
• Values features over user interface ease of use
• Values efficiency (compiling is boring)
• Values video tutorials for learning, not reading
• Samples not for him, he creates them
"I rarely download a trial. These days I look at
YouTube and see whether it is for me or not.
Because downloading something may mess
something up in your studio"
"I wouldnʼt read, I want to see things in action.
And I donʼt want to spend so much time on
this"
Gender: Male
Age: 33
Education: Conservatory (Master's)
Nationality: Dutch
Occupation: Musician / Composer
19

20. Quote:
Daniel the Hobby Guitarist
Systems Engineer
Demographics
Overview:
Daniel is a hobby electric guitar player that works as a scientific systems engineer at
the university. He used to play in a band with friends 2 years ago. He uses the basic
functions that come with his guitar processor software, and uses mainly
GarageBand to record his ideas. He experimented with Cubase some time back, but
found it too advanced for him. He relies heavily on YouTube videos to get started,
but also quite willing to read online guides and FAQs to get started. He is mainly
interested in sound packs that relate to guitar sounds, but likes browsing other
features just to know.
Key Characteristics:
• Tech-savvy
• Hobby electric guitar player
• Values interface simplicity over features
• Watches videos, online help, and interface guides to get started
• Music career not for him
"When I bought my last guitar processor, it
was bundled with Cubase. But that was pretty
advanced for my needs"
"I sometimes record things, but only so I can
hear it later. Not really to produce"
Gender: Male
Age: 26
Education: Network Engineering (Bachelor's)
Nationality: Portuguese
Occupation: Scientific Systems Engineers
20

21. "Egmond the Pro has been composing music and doing project-based
productions for around 15 years. This is his job. He's quite committed to his
software, especially since he's tied with the setup of his studio and the
workflow of his collaborators. He's heard about Ableton Live from friends,
and decides to log in to ableton.com. His first priority is to immediately know
how Live and its features can help him better accomplish his goals; i.e., do the
same work he does already, but better. He will not take a risk downloading
software that may potentially interfere with his current studio setup. And he
doesn't have much time to spare. On the website of Ableton, he expects to
find one place where he can immediately know what Live can do for him as a
professional musician and producer. He's also interested in knowing which
features he can make use of to make his production process easier, faster,
and of the high quality he expects of his project work. However, he's willing to
spare 10-15 minutes to see whether Live is for him, as the idea of switching is
not too appealing given his advanced career stage."
Scenario 1: Expert User
21 http://onlyhdwallpapers.com/wallpaper/hidden_forces_abstract_space_stars_galaxy_desktop_3840x1200_hd-wallpaper-6849.jpg

22. "Daniel the Hobby Guitarist is a systems engineer who occasionally plays his
electric guitar. He spends a few hours every 2 weeks playing songs, and is
still learning how to become better. He is aspirations to compose original
music, but for now he is content learning notes from songs of artists he likes.
Aside from making some use of audio effects and basic sound filters, Daniel
doesn't know much about the production world. He uses software mainly to
record and playback his efforts. Daniel has a friend who listens to edits and
remixes of popular songs, and is curious how to add beats and effects to the
music he plays. He asks his friend about this, and he suggests to try Ableton
Live. One day Daniel logs in to ableton.com to see what the software can do
for him. He watches the video on the Try Live for Free page, but not sure how
he as an electric guitar player can get started. He's willing to download
Ableton Live and fiddle around, as well as look at some packs with audio
samples he can use for his music. He is willing to spend a few hours on
grasping the basics of setting up his guitar, recording a tune, playing it back,
and applying some effects and filters. If he finds this too complex, he will
immediately revert to simpler software."
Scenario 2: Novice User
22 http://www.windsim.com/images/sky/sky_107.bmp

23. ! Not all users need all
features immediately
(especially complex add-
ons like Max for Live)
! One place on the site
so different users can
relate to what Live 9 is
and how it can help
'them'
So what?
! Extensive availability
of introductory videos
and video tutorials
! Clear layout and easy
access to additional
packs

24. Design
24

25. See Resources slide to d/l sketches
Sketching
25

26. 26
Wireframes
See Resources slide for annotated wireframes

27. 27

28. 28

29. 29

30. 30
[...]

31. Summary
31

32. ! Ableton.com should cater for different user needs (e.g., through a
dedicated user types 'Live for You' page)
! Introductory videos and video tutorials seem to be a good user aid
! Sound & Instrument packs seem to be more valuable for the average user
than Max for Live
! Clustering additional packs (e.g., through user-defined filter or automatic
recommendations) based on user types could alleviate barrier of entry, long
info seeking times, and disk storage issues for users
User Research
Findings
32

33. We suggested the following:
- a Live for You content page
- filtering of additional packs by user type
- another layout organization of Sounds,
Max for Live, and Software Instruments
- small design fixes (button color coding,
audio clip timeline)
Design Summary
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34. ! One week insufficient for recruiting large enough sample of target users and
running in-depth user research (e.g., contextual inquiry)
! No behavioral (e.g., site usage analysis from log data) and demographic
data from market research
! No stakeholder requirements
! No Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to consult
! Clickable prototype too basic for usability testing
Limitations
34

35. ! Functional prototype
development
! Quick usability tests
on prototype
! Design iteration
! A/B testing
Potential Next Steps
35
[...]

36. Analysis
! Cognitive walkthrough rough notes (.rtf): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2139995/
ableton_challenge_files/cog_walkthrough.rtf
! Task Flow diagram (.pdf): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2139995/ableton_challenge_files/
taskflow_diagram.pdf
User Research
! Participant Information, Task Presentation, & Semi-structured interview questions form (.zip): https://
dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2139995/ableton_challenge_files/user_research_forms.zip
Design
! Sketches (.zip): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2139995/ableton_challenge_files/sketches.zip
! Wireframes (browser) (.pdf): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2139995/ableton_challenge_files/
wireframes_browser.pdf
! Wireframes (browser) + Annotations (.pdf): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2139995/
ableton_challenge_files/wireframes_browser_annotations.pdf
! Clickable prototype (.pdf): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2139995/ableton_challenge_files/
wireframes_prototype.pdf
Resources
36
(Omnigraffle files available upon request)

37. Questions?
@abdoelali
www.abdoelali.com37
abdallah.elali@gmail.com@

38. Cooper, Alan (2007). About Face 3: The Essentials of User Interface Design.
John Wiley & Sons.
Shneiderman, Ben (2002). Promoting universal usability with multi-layer
interface design. SIGCAPH Comput. Phys. Handicap. 73-74 (June 2002), 1-8.
References
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