During the process of writing, I discovered a point that I had been neglecting before, which was the UI design of these two platforms. The interface setting serves as a visual presentation of values. By comparing the two platforms, two completely different auditory path designs can be seen.
The bottom play bar of Spotify encourages “passive streaming”. The large illustrations on the homepage of Bandcamp, the “Buy Now” button and the editor’s recommendations prompt users to stop and read, try listening and make purchases. Bandcamp’s “selling right now” instant bullet comments make transactions transparent and perceptible to users. On the contrary, Spotify hardly displays sales and revenue on the listener end, making it difficult for users to participate in this process. Spotify’s UI pursues retention and completion. Bandcamp regards “reading interviews – listening trials – paid collections” as the complete journey. Behind these two different interface logics lies the value orientation of “platform economy” and “fan economy”.
If more music is to be heard, then the public needs to shift together from “endless descent” to “deep stay”.
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