Designing a digital listening journal to document, reflect on, and track the music that shapes each day

Role: Product Designer

Contributions: React, Firebase, HTML/CSS

Timeline: March - June 2026

Team: Sole Designer

INTRODUCTION

What is Crate?

Crate is a music journaling web application that allows users to log their listening sessions by pulling recently played tracks from Spotify, tagging their mood and activity, and writing a personal entry about the experience.

Over time, Crate builds a living archive that maps music to moments, giving users a meaningful way to reflect on how their taste evolves and how music connects to their emotions.

problem

There is no dedicated place to reflect on listening experiences

Music is deeply tied to memory and emotion, yet there is no dedicated space for people to document their listening experiences the way they would a journal entry or a photo. Streaming platforms like Spotify track what you listen to, but they don't capture why you listened, how you felt, or what was happening in your life at that moment.

solution

A personal archive for listening sessions and reflections

Crate Login Page

Homepage

New Session: Selecting Songs & Journal Entry

Session & Journal Review

REFLECTION

What I learned

Building Crate as both the designer and developer gave me a deeper appreciation for the relationship between design and implementation. Every decision, from defining the user experience to building the final product, required balancing user needs with technical feasibility. Through this process, I strengthened my ability to think holistically, iterate with intention, and translate ideas into a cohesive, functional experience.

Thank you for exploring this case study. Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to connect.