Niall QuinnSenior Product & Interaction Designer
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Bauer Media

Enhancing the Radio Listening Experience for the Rayo App

iOS, Android

We redesigned the Rayo app to significantly improve content discovery and user navigation, resulting in notably increased engagement and positive early user feedback indicating substantial improvements in average time spent listening (ATSL) and on-demand content engagement.

  • Role
  • Senior Product Designer️
  • Year
  • 2025
  • Disciplines
  • User Research, Research synthesis, UX Design, UI Design, Design Systems

Rayo App Thumbnail

The Problem

Listeners migrating from Bauer’s standalone station apps struggled to find the shows and stations they loved. Navigation was complex and pathways to live or on-demand content were unclear.

The initial product proposal was to add a new dedicated station page to house schedules and catch-up content. This raised a key question: where should this new page sit within the existing information architecture?
UX Design Whiteboard

Tree-test evidence: adding a new station page increased navigation errors instead of improving discovery.

Research & Insight

To answer that, I worked closely with Bauer’s Lead UX Researcher to carry out tree testing to validate potential entry points.

The results were clear:
  • Adding another top-level page increased navigation errors.
  • Users already felt overwhelmed by the number of destinations.

💡 Insight: Adding a new page would solve one problem but create another.

Processes:

  • Tree Testing
  • Auditing existing app feedback

Competitor analysis of radio and audio apps
UX Design Whiteboard

Initial concept for a dedicated “station page” within the app, with station led branding. We wanted to validate whether or not this page was actually useful to users

Design Approach

I held a cross-team ideation session with the rest of the design team, sketching and prototyping several holistic options. Key ideas explored included a Master Schedule, enhancements to the For You page, and improvements to the On-Air and Maxi Player pages.

We tested high-fidelity prototypes with 14 participants (7 Bauer listeners, 7 external) across iOS and Android.
Findings confirmed that users valued:
  • Immediate access to live radio
  • Consistent UI patterns
  • Simpler navigation paths

Processes:

  • Sketching
  • Moderated Usability Tests
  • High fidelity design
  • Research synthesis

Clickable prototype

Figma prototypes to test different concepts for the journey to and content for Schedule and Station pages.

Competitor analysis of radio and audio apps

Research synthesis

Solution

Rather than introducing a new page, we implemented a simpler, integrated set of changes:
  • Master Schedule: A new schedule page with clear, persistent entry points across the app.
  • For You page: Redesigned to surface live radio and access to schedules more prominently.
  • On-Air & Maxi Player: Standardised components and integrated popular station elements to reduce cognitive load.
This approach met both the user need for clarity and the technical/time constraints of the product teams.

Updated For You, On-air and Schedule pages

The main new addition was a new schedule page with clear, persistent entry points across the app to aid users in finding their favourite Shows.
Competitor analysis of radio and audio apps

Enhanced Maxi Player

We also recommended the strategic integration of popular station page elements (e.g., featured shows, presenters) into existing, high-traffic areas of the app, such as an improved Maxi Player.

Design System Impact

During delivery I also strengthened the Rayo design system by:
  • Introducing design tokens and variables for colour and spacing
  • Establishing clearer component naming conventions
  • Running weekly design system workshops to facilitate knowledge sharing and consistency across teams
  • Leading refinement sessions with developers to help estimate and deliver the work

Competitor analysis of radio and audio apps

Results

Early analytics indicate a meaningful lift in listening time, on-demand engagement, and App Store ratings.

Final figures are pending validation from the Data & Insights team.

Reflection

By challenging the initial brief and validating assumptions with research, we avoided adding complexity and instead delivered a simple, holistic solution with measurable impact. This project reinforced the value of evidence-based decision making and showed how small, well-placed changes can drive significant user and business outcomes.

Niall Quinn 2025