Defining the Vision

The goal for Keakie was clear: to build an end-to-end listening platform that catered to music lovers and content creators, with a particular focus on discovery and long-form content. The target audience was early adopters aged 18-25 who craved new genres and creators.

• Objective: Create a seamless user experience for both listeners and content creators.

• Target Audience: Young, tech-savvy music enthusiasts and DJs.

• Tone and Style: Innovative, modern, and culturally engaging, balancing technology with a rich artistic experience.

The visuals reflect a refined, user-centric experience, giving users a platform that feels both cutting-edge and personal.

Crafting a Scalable Platform

Building Keakie required a holistic design and development strategy. We focused on:

• User-Centered Design: Developed an intuitive interface with features like one-click login, algorithmic discovery, and a streamlined content queue system.

• Backend and Frontend Development: Partnered with iOS developers and internal full-stack engineers to ensure the platform was robust and scalable.

• Cinematic Visual Aesthetic: Inspired by Netflix, we used dark tones with contrasting whites and blues to create a timeless, cinematic feel.

The accompanying visuals—album artwork and interface mockups—highlight Keakie’s commitment to blending culture with intuitive technology.

Custom Graphic Assets

To elevate Keakie’s brand and resonate with its culturally savvy audience, we designed bespoke graphic assets that blended creativity with functionality:

• Unique Album Artwork: Collaborated with designers to create bold, genre-defining visuals for playlists, moods, and themes, adding a dynamic layer of storytelling to the user experience.

• Illustrative Elements: Integrated custom graphics into the app to guide users and bring the interface to life.

• Merchandise & Promotional Materials: Extended the visual identity into physical assets, such as flyers, stickers, and branded merchandise, to build a cohesive experience across touchpoints.

These graphics not only captured the essence of Keakie’s artistic vision but also positioned the platform as a trendsetter in the music-tech space.

Execution and Iteration

Launching Keakie involved multiple stages of development and refinement:

• Prototyping: Created wireframes and tested early iterations with users to gather feedback.

• Bug Management: Used TestFlight and Airtable for testing and debugging, ensuring a polished final product.

• Refinement and Deployment: Designed in Figma, deployed via React and Xcode, and continuously optimized for engagement and retention.

The visuals underline the meticulous attention to detail, from concept to final product, delivering a polished, engaging experience with additional graphic assets.

Growing the Brand

Once the platform was live, we focused on building Keakie’s user base and brand recognition. Key strategies included:

• Community Engagement: Partnered with DJs and content creators to generate buzz and exclusive content.

• Content Curation: Focused on high-quality, curated audio content to differentiate Keakie from competitors.

The Results

• User Growth: Scaled the platform to thousands of active users through targeted marketing and community partnerships.

• Financial Success: Oversaw Keakie’s lifecycle from inception to its acquisition for a seven-figure sum.

• Legacy: Positioned Keakie as a leader in the curated music and podcast space, combining technology with culture.

Key Takeaways

The success of Keakie demonstrates the power of user-centered design, strategic development, and focused brand building. At its core, Keakie was about creating a seamless connection between listeners, creators, and culture—and that’s what made it a success.

Let’s Build Your Vision

Looking to create a platform that stands out and scales to success? Let’s collaborate.