Human Computer Interaction in Designing a Casual Gamified Musical Instrument Simulation Mobile Application

Abstract

This paper focuses on explaining the complex process of designing and creating a casual gamified musical instrument simulation mobile application for music enthusiastic users, specifically piano as the chosen instrument. The value proposition of the app would be to promote and encourage anyone to make use of interactive technology for a playful musical experience and thus, develop their motivations towards exploring and ultimately learning how to play the piano. By applying a variety of human-computer interaction theory, user research, design framework, best practices with gamification elements and music theory, the application prototype has taken shape with three play modes to be validated with users. Every mode presented a different simulation experience of playing the piano on a mobile device. The initial feedback on the design suggested that the app has delivered a sense of relaxation for users while playing the app and given them the appropriate ‘casual’ and easy feeling in general, as well as specifically distinct experience and impression in these different modes. The concept design prototype was validated as a creative solution to design an intuitive and user-centric mobile application in the music gamification-simulation app category. It also served as a reference for product management professionals and researchers in the process of making relevant products that shared similar characteristics.