Alpine Headphones Strategy
Summary
In 2012, I was hired by the design firm Lunar to lead UX strategy and concept development for a new companion app for Alpine Electronics’ first consumer headphones. Impressed by the initial pitch, Alpine demanded a change in the contract with Lunar and hired me and my design partner directly as principal UX strategists.
Goals
Alpine’s vision was to launch a set of premium, bass-forward headphones aimed at a younger, EDM-centric audience. Alpine needed a software experience that elevated the hardware, one that would differentiate the product in a crowded market, integrate tightly with mobile music behavior, and reflect Alpine’s engineering-first ethos.
Process
We ran a year of focused design sprints, each centered on a specific product theme, from music tempo-based playlists to custom haptic-based controls, and social listening. For each sprint, we delivered high-level concepts, wireframes, and exploratory prototypes. Alongside product work, we produced a series of strategic research documents mapping market trends, user behaviors, and points of likely product failure. These patterns formed the foundation for a modular product strategy, allowing Alpine to explore different combinations of features, audiences, and business goals.
Collaboration
Working directly with Alpine’s executive and engineering teams, we provided a steady rhythm of ideas, validation, and refinement. Our research and design process uncovered both standout opportunities and subtle UX risks, particularly around app complexity, hardware setup, and continuous engagement. We also delivered brand assets and the launch website for the product.
Results
Though Alpine ultimately faced challenges in their transition to consumer markets, our design work was recognized repeatedly by their leadership as among the best they had seen. Many of the concepts we explored, from adaptive EQ tuning to music-driven mood interfaces, appeared years later in other products. It was a powerful validation of our research and foresight.