Amplitude Platform Mockup

Amplitude

About the Project

Amplitude is a conceptual online platform designed to make learning instruments fun, fast, and addictive—taking inspiration from rhythm games like Guitar Hero. It blends music education with game mechanics, turning practice into play.

Project Scope

  • Logo
  • Brand voice
  • Typographic Identity
  • Color Palette
  • Design Tokens
  • Website and App UI mockups
  • Social media content concepts
Amplitude Logo Concept

Discovery

Who was I designing for?

Amplitude is made for curious, creative people ages 13–35 from all walks of life. They may have bought an instrument once but never stuck with it. They’re not trying to master classical music—they want to learn how to play what they love: punk, pop, rock, or indie.

They value self-expression, fun, and learning by doing. They might be intimidated by traditional methods, but they’re excited to learn in a way that feels playful, personal, and modern.

Rubi Gonzalez

Rubi Gonzalez

19 · Austin, TX

College Student

Middle Class
Bio

Rubi owns a guitar but never learned to use it. She loves music and wants to jam like her favorite artists, not read sheet music. She’s looking for a fun, no-pressure way to finally play the songs she loves.

Goals
  • Play real songs fast
  • Skip boring theory
  • Build confidence
  • Learn on own time
Pain Points
  • Lessons feel outdated
  • YouTube tutorials messy
  • Most apps too academic
“I just wanna play Paramore—not Beethoven.”

Concept Development

To shape the creative direction of Amplitude, I began by building a mood board that explored how music connects to emotion, energy, and identity. Key themes emerged:

  • Music is energy
  • Music is a strong force
  • Music is powerful

Why "Amplitude"?

Amplitude means the strength or intensity of a wave. In sound, it's what makes music loud. I chose this name because it reflects the energy, boldness, and confidence I want users to feel. The concept “Music is Energy” became my anchor point.

Amplitude Moodboard

Word Mapping

To further explore the idea, I created a word map using “Music” as the core theme. This helped generate potential directions and shape the overall tone.

Music Word Map

Brand Identity

The visual identity of Amplitude is inspired by energy, youth culture, and non-traditional learning. Just like users break away from classical music rules, the branding rejects conventional design norms. I embraced a bold brutalist style that feels electric, chaotic, and confident—just like picking up a guitar and learning your favorite song for the first time.

Brand Details

  • Logo System: Features stacked, wide, and icon-only versions for flexible use.
  • Typography: Modern contrast between chunky Omnium (headlines) and smooth Quicksand (body).
  • Color Palette: Neon green and purple (energy) balanced by deep midnight blue.
  • Imagery: Cutout musicians with expressive movement, showcasing diversity and action.

Full brand guide available here.

Amplitude Brand Guide Snippet

Product Features

Amplitude aims to make learning engaging with features like:

  • Courses for All Levels: Learn from beginner basics to advanced techniques—at your own pace.
  • Interactive Learning: Play-along method inspired by Guitar Hero makes practice fun and addictive.
  • Speed Control: Slow down or speed up any song to match your comfort level.
  • Learn from Legends: Upgrade for feedback and guidance from real music pros.
  • Track Your Progress: Record sessions, rewatch them, and hear how far you’ve come.
App Feature Example

Reflection

Designing Amplitude challenged me to think beyond aesthetics and truly consider how branding can empower users. I learned how to blend visual storytelling with user motivation—creating a rebellious, high-energy identity that feels fun and inviting, especially for beginners who might otherwise feel intimidated by music education.

This project pushed me to stay intentional with my design choices—from typography and layout to color theory and tone of voice. I also deepened my skills in brand system design and digital product thinking by creating a cohesive experience across web, app, and social platforms.

Most of all, I walked away with a deeper appreciation for how design can break down barriers, inspire confidence, and make learning feel like play.

View Next Project