Soundcloud Redesign
Client
Personal
Location
London, UK
Year
2025
Overview
This was a self-initiated, solo UX/UI project focused on redesigning the SoundCloud desktop website homepage over a two-week period. SoundCloud has a strong cultural legacy and a loyal user base, but its interface has struggled to evolve alongside user expectations.
I chose to focus purely on the homepage as it is the first touchpoint for new users and a high-traffic area for returning ones. The goal was to modernise the experience without stripping away the familiarity that long-time users value, balancing clarity, discovery and brand identity.
The Problem
SoundCloud’s homepage presents users with too much information at once, making it feel cluttered and overwhelming. For new users especially, this creates friction from the very first interaction and increases the likelihood of drop-off.
Interviews and reviews highlighted confusing navigation, an outdated visual language and a general sense that the platform had fallen behind competitors.
While powerful features still exist beneath the surface, poor usability and presentation weaken their impact and push users towards alternative platforms.
Key Insights
I conducted ten user interviews alongside analysing online reviews and competitor platforms. A clear pattern emerged: users loved SoundCloud’s concept but felt fatigued by the experience of using it. Hick’s Law helped frame this issue, as excessive choice and dense layouts were creating cognitive overload.
Research into competitors showed that familiarity and restraint played a big role in onboarding new users. SoundCloud’s narrow, centre-aligned layout also contributed to a cramped feel, particularly on larger screens.
The Solution
I redesigned the homepage to prioritise clarity, hierarchy and ease of discovery. The new layout reduces visual noise, groups content more intentionally and introduces familiar patterns from other streaming platforms while preserving SoundCloud’s personality.
I retained the overall content structure to avoid alienating existing users, but refined spacing, typography and navigation to feel lighter and more modern. Light and dark modes were designed, alongside the idea of a legacy toggle to respect nostalgia within the community.
Impact & Results
The final designs present a cleaner, more approachable homepage that feels current without losing its roots. I would expect an initial adjustment period for existing users, followed by improved satisfaction as usability benefits become clear.
For new users, the experience is less intimidating and more aligned with expectations set by other platforms. Overall, the redesign aims to reduce bounce rate, increase time on site and re-establish SoundCloud as a place for effortless music discovery.
What I Learnt
This project reinforced the importance of balancing innovation with familiarity, especially on platforms with strong emotional attachment. I learned how quickly good features can be undermined by poor hierarchy and how valuable qualitative research is when challenging personal assumptions.
If I had more time, I would extend the redesign across additional pages and explore how these changes could translate to the mobile app experience.
