Sticky

Three questions to the project team

What was the particular challenge of the project from a UX point of view?
The biggest UX challenge was designing a new interaction model that reflected how Gen Z uses music as a form of self-expression. While we initially assumed likes and comments would be sufficient, our research revealed a contradiction: likes felt too superficial, while comments felt emotionally demanding. We needed an alternative that balanced ease of use with sincerity. This led us to develop a sticker-based interaction system. In Sticky, stickers are not decorative elements but a visual language that translates musical taste into self-expression. Defining and validating this new form of communication, one that encourages authentic interaction beyond traditional social metrics, was the most challenging and rewarding part of the project.

What was your personal highlight in the development process? Was there an aha!-moment, was there a low point?
One of the most memorable moments in the project was discovering that Gen Z users wanted to share not only music itself, but also the emotions and context surrounding it. Initially, we focused on music recommendation and sharing features. However, our research revealed that people were more interested in expressing why they liked a song and how it made them feel in a simple and intuitive way.
This insight became the foundation of our service design. Drop was designed to encourage spontaneous, low-pressure sharing, MY Thumbnail Feed enabled users to visually curate their tastes, and PLAY Hashtags allowed users to easily express and relate to the mood of a song.

Where do you see yourself and the project in the next five years?
In five years, we envision Sticky evolving beyond a digital platform into a bridge between digital identity and physical spaces. One idea we are particularly excited about is a keyring-sized device that extends the Sticky experience into everyday life. While smartphones connect us to everything, Sticky would help users focus on the people, places, and moments around them. Through the device, users could discover nearby musical tastes and leave their own expressions in real time. Ultimately, we hope Sticky can transform music taste from a digital profile into a shared cultural language that creates unexpected connections and a stronger sense of belonging.