The Melodi ProjectSupport Your Sound.
Case Study
Integrating e-commerce directly into music streaming platforms to empower artists.
The Problem & Opportunity
Problem Statement
The current music streaming ecosystem leaves artists struggling with minimal revenue from streams while fans have limited ways to support their favorite musicians beyond passive listening. The disconnect between streaming and purchasing creates missed opportunities for both artists and fans.
Opportunity
By integrating e-commerce directly into streaming platforms, we can create seamless pathways for fans to purchase merchandise, tickets, and exclusive content while artists gain new revenue streams and deeper fan connections.
Artists earn less than $0.005 per stream.
We can change that.
Vision & Goals
Vision Statement
Make music streaming profitable for artists through integrated e-commerce, creating a sustainable ecosystem where creativity thrives and fans can meaningfully support the music they love.
Core Goals
- Let artists sell merch and tickets directly in streaming apps
- Reduce reliance on third-party platforms
- Improve fan engagement via exclusive content
- Create transparent revenue sharing models
- Build community-driven artist-fan relationships
My Role & Responsibilities
My Contributions
- UX/UI Design & User Research
- Frontend Architecture & Component Library
- MedusaJS E-commerce Integration
- Market Research & Competitive Analysis
- Prototyping & User Testing
- Technical Architecture Planning
Collaboration
Working closely with marketing strategists, design peers, and engineering teams to ensure the solution meets both user needs and technical requirements.
Research & Insights
Through extensive market research, artist interviews, and competitive analysis, I've identified key pain points and opportunities in the current music ecosystem.
Artist Personas
Sarah - Independent Artist
“I make $200/month from streaming but spend $500 on marketing. I need direct fan support.”
Marcus - Established Musician
“My fans want exclusive content and merch, but I lose 30% to third-party platforms.”
“Fans are willing to pay 5-10x more for direct artist support than what they generate through streaming alone.”
The Process
1. Discovery & Ideation
Started with extensive research into current music streaming pain points, followed by brainstorming sessions to identify innovative solutions.
2. Wireframing
Created wireframes focusing on seamless integration between streaming and purchasing experiences.
3. High-Fidelity Designs
Developed polished UI designs with consistent design language and accessibility considerations.
4. Architecture Decisions
Chose Next.js for performance and SEO, MedusaJS for robust e-commerce functionality, and Supabase for scalable backend services.
Key Features (WIP Previews)
Artist Storefronts
Customizable storefronts that integrate seamlessly with streaming profiles, allowing artists to showcase merchandise, tickets, and exclusive content.
Integrated Checkout
One-click purchasing that maintains the streaming experience while providing secure, fast checkout for fans.
Ticketing & Experiences
Direct ticket sales for concerts and exclusive fan experiences, eliminating scalping and ensuring fair pricing.
Challenges & Solutions
Challenge: Seamless Integration
Creating a purchasing experience that feels native to streaming platforms without disrupting the listening experience.
Solution
Designed contextual purchase prompts that appear at natural break points (end of songs, between albums) and can be dismissed without friction.
Challenge: Payment Processing
Handling multiple payment methods, currencies, and regional requirements while maintaining security and compliance.
Solution
Leveraging MedusaJS's robust payment infrastructure and implementing Stripe Connect for multi-party transactions.
Challenge: Artist Onboarding
Making it easy for artists of all technical levels to set up their storefronts and manage inventory.
Solution
Creating intuitive setup wizards with templates, bulk import tools, and automated inventory management.
Next Steps / Roadmap
Planned Integrations
- Spotify API for seamless streaming integration
- Merch analytics and inventory management
- Anti-scalper ticketing systems
- Fan engagement and community tools
Supporting Artists, One Stream at a Time
The Melodi Project represents a fundamental shift in how artists and fans interact in the digital music space. By bridging the gap between streaming and commerce, we're creating opportunities for sustainable artist careers and meaningful fan connections.
If you're a music streaming company or artist interested in this vision, let's connect and explore how we can revolutionize the industry together.