Portfolio project
Focusrite Control 2
Focusrite Control 2
Focusrite Control 2
Overview
In 2021 I was tasked with leading the design team realising Focusrite Control 2 - the companion software to the Focusrite’s Scarlett 4th Generation range of audio interfaces. Over a two-and-a-half year project, we worked to deliver a high quality, usable and accessible application that helps Scarlett users to capture the best performances possible. I led a team composed of a junior designer and a user researcher that worked alongside a software development team to bring Focusrite Control 2 to users.
Overview
In 2021 I was tasked with leading the design team realising Focusrite Control 2 - the companion software to the Focusrite’s Scarlett 4th Generation range of audio interfaces. Over a two-and-a-half year project, we worked to deliver a high quality, usable and accessible application that helps Scarlett users to capture the best performances possible. I led a team composed of a junior designer and a user researcher that worked alongside a software development team to bring Focusrite Control 2 to users.
Context
The challenge we faced was to deliver a clear and focused interface that enabled users to pick it up and use it immediately, while also providing compelling support for a long tail of use cases that ranged from studio recording to podcasting to live streaming.
Our qualitative research found that users of the previous generation’s software (Focusrite Control 1) struggled on their first-time usage, leading to poor retention and uptake throughout the user base. Through observations and interviews we narrowed in on core problems that were obstructing users:
Large numbers of users were downloading Focusrite Control 1 as part of a bundle, and subsequently didn’t know what it was or what it did
Users found Focusrite Control 1’s interface confusing and non-intuitive, and had to rely on dense tutorials to perform basic tasks. This was exacerbated by confusion around the value that the software offered them.
Focusrite Control didn’t have any support for screen readers, and was not localised, so was not accessible for large numbers of users
Context
The challenge we faced was to deliver a clear and focused interface that enabled users to pick it up and use it immediately, while also providing compelling support for a long tail of use cases that ranged from studio recording to podcasting to live streaming.
Our qualitative research found that users of the previous generation’s software (Focusrite Control 1) struggled on their first-time usage, leading to poor retention and uptake throughout the user base. Through observations and interviews we narrowed in on core problems that were obstructing users:
Large numbers of users were downloading Focusrite Control 1 as part of a bundle, and subsequently didn’t know what it was or what it did
Users found Focusrite Control 1’s interface confusing and non-intuitive, and had to rely on dense tutorials to perform basic tasks. This was exacerbated by confusion around the value that the software offered them.
Focusrite Control didn’t have any support for screen readers, and was not localised, so was not accessible for large numbers of users
Focusrite Control 1, the previous generation of software for Scarlett. We found users struggled with the left-to-right flow of Focusrite Control 1, expecting mix busses to appear on the right-hand-side, as on a physical mixing console. This is emblematic of the balancing act we needed to play to find the right mix between native macOS and Windows UI with patterns that were familiar to those with experience in audio software.
Focusrite Control 1, the previous generation of software for Scarlett. We found users struggled with the left-to-right flow of Focusrite Control 1, expecting mix busses to appear on the right-hand-side, as on a physical mixing console. This is emblematic of the balancing act we needed to play to find the right mix between native macOS and Windows UI with patterns that were familiar to users of audio hardware.
Familiarity vs novelty
One of the key new features for the 4th Generation Scarlett range was digitally controlled gain controls, which enabled users to control their interfaces remotely from software. This represented a key marketing opportunity to use software control to differentiate the hardware products, but also enabled us to offer control to visually impaired users through screen reader support. We spoke to a number of visually impaired users before, during and after development, and had the support of some vital beta testers who gave us rigorous feedback on our screen reader implementation.
We went through a number of iterations of designs for the preamp controls, trying to balance familiarity and tie-through with the hardware, while also taking advantage of the affordances of software to provide more detailed control and feedback to help users make the best choices about their sound. We found this was a delicate balance, often having to trade off the familiarity of well established software patterns with a tight integration with the hardware, which used some novel interactions for a few new features.
For example, we initially hypothesised that a horizontally aligned level meter would enable us to best utilise the space available to us, and create an application that would more easily fit alongside a digital audio workstation (DAW) on a small laptop screen. However, when we first tested this design with users we found they didn’t initially recognise the meters and found the layout unfamiliar. From this point we engaged with a more vertical design that more closely matched the layout users are more likely familiar with within a DAW.
Familiarity vs novelty
One of the key new features for the 4th Generation Scarlett range was digitally controlled gain controls, which enabled users to control their interfaces remotely from software. This represented a key marketing opportunity to use software control to differentiate the hardware products, but also enabled us to offer control to visually impaired users through screen reader support. We spoke to a number of visually impaired users before, during and after development, and had the support of some vital beta testers who gave us rigorous feedback on our screen reader implementation.
We went through a number of iterations of designs for the preamp controls, trying to balance familiarity and tie-through with the hardware, while also taking advantage of the affordances of software to provide more detailed control and feedback to help users make the best choices about their sound. We found this was a delicate balance, often having to trade off the familiarity of well established software patterns with a tight integration with the hardware, which used some novel interactions for a few new features.
For example, we initially hypothesised that a horizontally aligned level meter would enable us to best utilise the space available to us, and create an application that would more easily fit alongside a digital audio workstation (DAW) on a small laptop screen. However, when we first tested this design with users we found they didn’t initially recognise the meters and found the layout unfamiliar. From this point we engaged with a more vertical design that more closely matched the layout users are more likely familiar with within a DAW.
Horizontal layout
Vertical + icon
Final design
An example showing the evolution of the preamp control UI, from the horizontal level meters of our initial designs through to the design that we shipped.
Supporting usability with visual choices
We established a new design language for Focusrite, developing a new visual style we’ve affectionately named “2.5D”. Our aim was to provide a familiar and complementary interface for the bulk of the UI that would feel at home within modern operating systems, while taking a crafted approach to select controls that would appear 3D-like with the aim of inspiring interaction.
As key interaction points, the gain controls and fader handles invite users to engage with them. This helped us to build clear hierarchy into the UI that we found supported first-time users more than the flat, digital UI of the previous generation of Focusrite Control. Through observation of users we found that tie-through of elements such as the gain control with the industrial design of the hardware supported usability, and helped anchor first-time experiences to elements that users were used to from the hardware.
Supporting usability with visual choices
We established a new design language for Focusrite, developing a new visual style we’ve affectionately named “2.5D”. Our aim was to provide a familiar and complementary interface for the bulk of the UI that would feel at home within modern operating systems, while taking a crafted approach to select controls that would appear 3D-like with the aim of inspiring interaction.
As key interaction points, the gain controls and fader handles invite users to engage with them. This helped us to build clear hierarchy into the UI that we found supported first-time users more than the flat, digital UI of the previous generation of Focusrite Control. Through observation of users we found that tie-through of elements such as the gain control with the industrial design of the hardware supported usability, and helped anchor first-time experiences to elements that users were used to from the hardware.
An example of the "2.5D" visual approach that we employed. The gain controls stand out with the help of shadows for empahsis, and the red ring surrounds the section to help anchor users with their hardware experience.
An example of the "2.5D" visual approach that we employed. The gain controls stand out with the help of shadows for empahsis, and the red ring surrounds the section to help anchor users with their hardware experience.
Release & impact
Focusrite Control 2 was released at the end of August 2023, and has so far been well received by critics and users alike. We’ve found early users have engaged well with Focusrite Control 2, with over 80% of first-time users successfully updating their device firmware and engaging with the remote control features. Alongside this, Focusrite Control 2’s retention already exceeds Focusrite’s legacy control software applications.
Release & impact
Focusrite Control 2 was released at the end of August 2023, and has so far been well received by critics and users alike. We’ve found early users have engaged well with Focusrite Control 2, with over 80% of first-time users successfully updating their device firmware and engaging with the remote control features. Alongside this, Focusrite Control 2’s retention already exceeds Focusrite’s legacy control software applications.