Laughly is live
streaming your way

Laughing is the first streaming audio app dedicated exclusively to stand-up comedy, offering the most extensive comedy selection in the world. The goal is simple; Give stand-up lovers like you the experience of laughing anytime, anywhere.

In compliance with existing non-disclosure agreements, I have omitted and obfuscated confidential information in this case study. The information in this case study is my own and does not necessarily reflect the views of Laugh Radio Inc.

My role

I guided the initial design of the Laughly app for iOS when Laugh Radio Inc. launched in 2016. I worked closely with the key stakeholders to define the best experience and how to bring it to market.

Conceptualization & Ideation

I partnered with two product managers, three designers, one senior developer, and key stakeholders to define a successful product experience. Created a wireframe-level definition of how initial screens would behave given the data load and user expectations.

Experience Strategy & Vision

I designed sketches, wireframes, and prototypes to share the experience vision, design systems, and content strategy. This helped obtain vision parity and drive successful application production.

Planning & Scope Definition

I defined the product with each product manager. I evangelized customer goals and balanced business goals. I prioritized and negotiated features for launch and beyond.

Oversight & Coordination

I managed and collaborated with product managers, iOS developers, content managers, and marketing strategists to translate product stories and vision into an intuitive mobile experience.

Design Execution & Validation

I designed for iOS, mobile, and desktop browsers. I execute user journeys, wireframes, prototypes, and design specs.

Leadership & Mentorship

I led, collaborated, and presented work to obtain buy‐in from product managers and senior stakeholders, guiding teams throughout the project lifecycle.

The Challenge

Why not streaming comedy

Stand-up comedy was listed as a top favorite item by 90M Facebook users in 2015, and over 50M tickets were sold at comedy clubs in the United States. These numbers are even greater worldwide.

With such an outstanding catalog of comedians, why are no apps dedicated explicitly to streaming and curating comedy?

We know people like audio entertainment. Pandora, Spotify, and Apple have proven this year over year as the number of listeners steadily increased, moving away from purchasing to streaming. We also know that 95% of listening is on mobile phones, and 79% multitask while listening.

The Approach

Pure play & direct

With an extensive understanding of stand-up comedy by the stakeholders, we employed several key hypotheses that expedited the early ideation process. Working collaboratively, we applied this knowledge to product design that would exhibit the best of what we knew and extend the boundaries so we had room to fail and discover.

Throughout the project, we conducted focus groups and heuristic tests to prove and disprove the product experience. We applied this knowledge to iterative designs and evangelized it during product discussions. Basing new designs on data-driven insights, not an assumption, ensured a user-centric experience that still met the specified business requirements.

The Discovery

Customer Insights

We conducted customer and market research to drive our planning phase. Key insights that defined the go-to-market version of the Laughly product:

Who’s listening

The primary segment consists of customers who listen to channels of in-kind comedy and users who seek to control how they consume entertainment.

Curated Playlists v. Discovery

Customers choose playlists that complement a mood or evoke a distinctive feeling, while at times, a user wishes to explore and find something new and awakening. Blending the experience allows a consumer to traverse the finely tuned product, enhancing user engagement.

Laughter On Demand

Customers stream over 80% of their entertainment over a mobile device. Downloading content directly to a device has given way to the convenience of on-demand content streaming.

What’s my name

Customers expect to be recognized, and their experience follows and evolves with them. The journey is as important as the vast library of content. Users want the feeling of being there, next to the stage, enjoying the artist with hundreds of fans.

The Vision

Simple. Technology.

Create an application that provides the broadest range of comedic talent and live shows with impeccable audio integrity. Leveraging the best of known artists and introducing up-and-coming artists to the masses in a product with simple, intuitive features and functions.
The Service

Laughter is good medicine

A good laugh fights depression and stress, lowers blood pressure, and boosts the immune system. Sometimes, doing good requires deep learning technology and sexy interfaces. We set out to put a smile on as many faces as possible but didn’t let that get in the way of building an incredible streaming service.

Discover new comedy

Find something new from the dashboard. A good laugh is a tap away.

Oh yeah, I like this

Mark a track as a favorite, something that makes you laugh or both, you control.

The Framework

How we got here

Sometimes, creating that which brings joy to many is painful for the lucky few who build it. Throughout the project, producing the first version of the Laughly app was circuitous at best. However, in each turn and test of the product, what we learned advanced Laughly into a real competitor.

Leading and partnering with a highly diverse team of creators and managers brought the best of the designs to the forefront and increased our ability to launch on time with a product we could stand behind with pride.