Bryce

Bryce

Willem

Willem

designs

designs

Bryce

Bryce

Willem

Willem

designs

designs

Bryce

Bryce

Willem

Willem

designs

designs

Spectra+offersonesubscriptiontoreadpremiumnews,anywhereonline

Spectra+offersonesubscriptiontoreadpremiumnews,anywhereonline

Spectra+offersonesubscriptiontoreadpremiumnews,anywhereonline

Spectra+offersonesubscriptiontoreadpremiumnews,anywhereonline

Co-founder, COO (Strategy & Brand)

2022

Brand identity

Brand identity

Research & positioning

Research & positioning

Product UX/UI

Product UX/UI

Communication strategy

Communication strategy

Brand identity

Brand identity

Research & positioning

Research & positioning

Product UX/UI

Product UX/UI

Communication strategy

Communication strategy

Spectra+

My role

Co-founder and COO leading brand, communications, market research, and UX/UI strategy

Industry

News media, subscription app

Timeframe

2022

62

publisher interviews

Validated market interest and publisher challenges

62

publisher interviews

Validated market interest and publisher challenges

62

publisher interviews

Validated market interest and publisher challenges

62

publisher interviews

Validated market interest and publisher challenges

54

reader interviews

Confirmed demand for single subscription across paywalls

54

reader interviews

Confirmed demand for single subscription across paywalls

54

reader interviews

Confirmed demand for single subscription across paywalls

54

reader interviews

Confirmed demand for single subscription across paywalls

15

publishers interested

Early-stage sales validation

15

publishers interested

Early-stage sales validation

15

publishers interested

Early-stage sales validation

15

publishers interested

Early-stage sales validation

About

Spectra+ offers readers one subscription to access premium news across the web. For publishers, it breaks the 'one-subscription' silo and expands their paying audience.

About

Spectra+ offers readers one subscription to access premium news across the web. For publishers, it breaks the 'one-subscription' silo and expands their paying audience.

About

Spectra+ offers readers one subscription to access premium news across the web. For publishers, it breaks the 'one-subscription' silo and expands their paying audience.

About

Spectra+ offers readers one subscription to access premium news across the web. For publishers, it breaks the 'one-subscription' silo and expands their paying audience.

Challenge & constraints

We deliberately avoided traditional VC funding to keep incentives aligned, which meant minimal brand awareness, no marketing budget, and limited runway to validate the opportunity.

To secure calls with global publishers, we needed a crisp message and instant credibility. One publisher set the bar clearly: "It needs to feel as slick as Netflix, Spotify, and PayPal."

Challenge & constraints

We deliberately avoided traditional VC funding to keep incentives aligned, which meant minimal brand awareness, no marketing budget, and limited runway to validate the opportunity.

To secure calls with global publishers, we needed a crisp message and instant credibility. One publisher set the bar clearly: "It needs to feel as slick as Netflix, Spotify, and PayPal."

Challenge & constraints

We deliberately avoided traditional VC funding to keep incentives aligned, which meant minimal brand awareness, no marketing budget, and limited runway to validate the opportunity.

To secure calls with global publishers, we needed a crisp message and instant credibility. One publisher set the bar clearly: "It needs to feel as slick as Netflix, Spotify, and PayPal."

Challenge & constraints

We deliberately avoided traditional VC funding to keep incentives aligned, which meant minimal brand awareness, no marketing budget, and limited runway to validate the opportunity.

To secure calls with global publishers, we needed a crisp message and instant credibility. One publisher set the bar clearly: "It needs to feel as slick as Netflix, Spotify, and PayPal."

Approach

I led brand, communications, market research, and UX/UI to build credibility, align publisher and reader needs, and validate demand.

We conducted 62 publisher and 54 reader interviews, built a pre-launch website and an MVP app, and refined the brand identity and pitch deck to support early-stage market testing.

Approach

I led brand, communications, market research, and UX/UI to build credibility, align publisher and reader needs, and validate demand.

We conducted 62 publisher and 54 reader interviews, built a pre-launch website and an MVP app, and refined the brand identity and pitch deck to support early-stage market testing.

Approach

I led brand, communications, market research, and UX/UI to build credibility, align publisher and reader needs, and validate demand.

We conducted 62 publisher and 54 reader interviews, built a pre-launch website and an MVP app, and refined the brand identity and pitch deck to support early-stage market testing.

Approach

I led brand, communications, market research, and UX/UI to build credibility, align publisher and reader needs, and validate demand.

We conducted 62 publisher and 54 reader interviews, built a pre-launch website and an MVP app, and refined the brand identity and pitch deck to support early-stage market testing.

Spectra's mission: Empower a sustainable and resilient economic model for news media

Spectra's mission: Empower a sustainable and resilient economic model for news media

Spectra's mission: Empower a sustainable and resilient economic model for news media

Spectra's mission: Empower a sustainable and resilient economic model for news media

Market research & positioning

We mapped the subscription landscape through competitive analysis and targeted interviews. Our core value proposition became clear: one subscription for readers; larger paying audiences for publishers.

Market research & positioning

We mapped the subscription landscape through competitive analysis and targeted interviews. Our core value proposition became clear: one subscription for readers; larger paying audiences for publishers.

Market research & positioning

We mapped the subscription landscape through competitive analysis and targeted interviews. Our core value proposition became clear: one subscription for readers; larger paying audiences for publishers.

Market research & positioning

We mapped the subscription landscape through competitive analysis and targeted interviews. Our core value proposition became clear: one subscription for readers; larger paying audiences for publishers.

Competitive landscape (2022): where Spectra+ sits and why

Competitive landscape (2022): where Spectra+ sits and why

Competitive landscape (2022): where Spectra+ sits and why

Competitive landscape (2022): where Spectra+ sits and why

Strategic pillars

Illustrative split: over 1.5x increase in publisher revenue potential per basic subscription compared to Apple News+

Strategic pillars

Illustrative split: over 1.5x increase in publisher revenue potential per basic subscription compared to Apple News+

Strategic pillars

Illustrative split: over 1.5x increase in publisher revenue potential per basic subscription compared to Apple News+

Strategic pillars

Illustrative split: over 1.5x increase in publisher revenue potential per basic subscription compared to Apple News+

Brand identity

The identity needed to balance neutrality for diverse international publishers with a sleek, accessible feel for readers.

I translated Spectra's brand principles "pluralistic, clarifying, balanced" into a mark that expresses many sources as a single, coherent whole.

Brand identity

The identity needed to balance neutrality for diverse international publishers with a sleek, accessible feel for readers.

I translated Spectra's brand principles "pluralistic, clarifying, balanced" into a mark that expresses many sources as a single, coherent whole.

Brand identity

The identity needed to balance neutrality for diverse international publishers with a sleek, accessible feel for readers.

I translated Spectra's brand principles "pluralistic, clarifying, balanced" into a mark that expresses many sources as a single, coherent whole.

Brand identity

The identity needed to balance neutrality for diverse international publishers with a sleek, accessible feel for readers.

I translated Spectra's brand principles "pluralistic, clarifying, balanced" into a mark that expresses many sources as a single, coherent whole.

Logo lockup (mark, symbol, wordmark)

Logo lockup (mark, symbol, wordmark)

Logo lockup (mark, symbol, wordmark)

Logo lockup (mark, symbol, wordmark)

Symbol design process and system; dots scaled with the golden ratio

Lockup: proportional grid system

Symbol design process and system; dots scaled with the golden ratio

Lockup: proportional grid system

Symbol design process and system; dots scaled with the golden ratio

Lockup: proportional grid system

Symbol design process and system; dots scaled with the golden ratio

Lockup: proportional grid system

Logo ecosystem

Modern take on two classic fonts, bridging traditional news with today’s screen-first experience

Logo ecosystem

Modern take on two classic fonts, bridging traditional news with today’s screen-first experience

Logo ecosystem

Modern take on two classic fonts, bridging traditional news with today’s screen-first experience

Logo ecosystem

Modern take on two classic fonts, bridging traditional news with today’s screen-first experience

Pilot website

I designed a pre-launch website to showcase the model and capture early feedback. It centred on two simple funnels: pre-registration for readers and onboarding for publishers.

Pilot website

I designed a pre-launch website to showcase the model and capture early feedback. It centred on two simple funnels: pre-registration for readers and onboarding for publishers.

Pilot website

I designed a pre-launch website to showcase the model and capture early feedback. It centred on two simple funnels: pre-registration for readers and onboarding for publishers.

Pilot website

I designed a pre-launch website to showcase the model and capture early feedback. It centred on two simple funnels: pre-registration for readers and onboarding for publishers.

Pre-registration page impression

Pre-registration page impression

Pre-registration page impression

Pre-registration page impression

MVP app UX/UI

I designed the MVP to feel streamlined, predictable, and familiar: single sign-on across paywalls via QR, an ad-free article reader, and a clean, predictable interface.

MVP app UX/UI

I designed the MVP to feel streamlined, predictable, and familiar: single sign-on across paywalls via QR, an ad-free article reader, and a clean, predictable interface.

MVP app UX/UI

I designed the MVP to feel streamlined, predictable, and familiar: single sign-on across paywalls via QR, an ad-free article reader, and a clean, predictable interface.

MVP app UX/UI

I designed the MVP to feel streamlined, predictable, and familiar: single sign-on across paywalls via QR, an ad-free article reader, and a clean, predictable interface.

Product UX/UI impressions

Product UX/UI impressions

Product UX/UI impressions

Product UX/UI impressions

Paywall UI in browser

Article reader in app

Paywall UI in browser

Article reader in app

Paywall UI in browser

Article reader in app

Paywall UI in browser

Article reader in app

Early-stage validation

Spectra+ showed how brand, communications, and UX can open conversations with mature publishers under tight constraints.

We exceeded our validation goals: 62 publisher interviews (target 50) and 54 reader interviews confirmed strong interest in a single-subscription model. 15 publishers expressed adoption interest.

Early-stage validation

Spectra+ showed how brand, communications, and UX can open conversations with mature publishers under tight constraints.

We exceeded our validation goals: 62 publisher interviews (target 50) and 54 reader interviews confirmed strong interest in a single-subscription model. 15 publishers expressed adoption interest.

Early-stage validation

Spectra+ showed how brand, communications, and UX can open conversations with mature publishers under tight constraints.

We exceeded our validation goals: 62 publisher interviews (target 50) and 54 reader interviews confirmed strong interest in a single-subscription model. 15 publishers expressed adoption interest.

Early-stage validation

Spectra+ showed how brand, communications, and UX can open conversations with mature publishers under tight constraints.

We exceeded our validation goals: 62 publisher interviews (target 50) and 54 reader interviews confirmed strong interest in a single-subscription model. 15 publishers expressed adoption interest.

Reflection

Spectra+ sharpened my ability to identify, triage, and deliver only what matters. Bootstrapping meant there was no margin to misallocate resources or chase pixel-perfection; there was only scope for simple, minimal solutions that maximised value for effort.

It also underscored the need to clarify timelines early. Enterprise publishers move through procurement, legal, technical, and brand-safety checks before pilots can start. Ultimately, this process required more time than bootstrapping allowed.

Key takeaway: check critical assumptions early, especially partner onboarding timelines and trust requirements; align the resourcing and partnership strategy to fit them.

Reflection

Spectra+ sharpened my ability to identify, triage, and deliver only what matters. Bootstrapping meant there was no margin to misallocate resources or chase pixel-perfection; there was only scope for simple, minimal solutions that maximised value for effort.

It also underscored the need to clarify timelines early. Enterprise publishers move through procurement, legal, technical, and brand-safety checks before pilots can start. Ultimately, this process required more time than bootstrapping allowed.

Key takeaway: check critical assumptions early, especially partner onboarding timelines and trust requirements; align the resourcing and partnership strategy to fit them.

Reflection

Spectra+ sharpened my ability to identify, triage, and deliver only what matters. Bootstrapping meant there was no margin to misallocate resources or chase pixel-perfection; there was only scope for simple, minimal solutions that maximised value for effort.

It also underscored the need to clarify timelines early. Enterprise publishers move through procurement, legal, technical, and brand-safety checks before pilots can start. Ultimately, this process required more time than bootstrapping allowed.

Key takeaway: check critical assumptions early, especially partner onboarding timelines and trust requirements; align the resourcing and partnership strategy to fit them.

Reflection

Spectra+ sharpened my ability to identify, triage, and deliver only what matters. Bootstrapping meant there was no margin to misallocate resources or chase pixel-perfection; there was only scope for simple, minimal solutions that maximised value for effort.

It also underscored the need to clarify timelines early. Enterprise publishers move through procurement, legal, technical, and brand-safety checks before pilots can start. Ultimately, this process required more time than bootstrapping allowed.

Key takeaway: check critical assumptions early, especially partner onboarding timelines and trust requirements; align the resourcing and partnership strategy to fit them.

Concept image: Spectra+ branding applied in consumer advertising context

Concept image: Spectra+ branding applied in consumer advertising context

Concept image: Spectra+ branding applied in consumer advertising context

Concept image: Spectra+ branding applied in consumer advertising context

Bryce’s communications and design direction was instrumental to Spectra's go-to-market strategy.

Mike Harris

Spectra+ co-founder, CEO

Bryce’s communications and design direction was instrumental to Spectra's go-to-market strategy.

Mike Harris

Spectra+ co-founder, CEO

Bryce’s communications and design direction was instrumental to Spectra's go-to-market strategy.

Mike Harris

Spectra+ co-founder, CEO

Bryce’s communications and design direction was instrumental to Spectra's go-to-market strategy.

Mike Harris

Spectra+ co-founder, CEO

Team

Mike Harris

CTO, strategy

Tobias Steffen

Lead-gen & salesy

Team

Mike Harris

CTO, strategy

Tobias Steffen

Lead-gen & salesy

Team

Mike Harris

CTO, strategy

Tobias Steffen

Lead-gen & salesy

Team

Mike Harris

CTO, strategy

Tobias Steffen

Lead-gen & salesy

Address

Hackney

London, UK

Navigation

Legal

Impressum

Privacy policy

Credits

Design: Bryce Willem

Code: Ezzat Abdelrazek

London

13:39:27

Address

Hackney

London, UK

Navigation

Legal

Impressum

Privacy policy

Credits

Design: Bryce Willem

Code: Ezzat Abdelrazek

London

13:39:27

Address

Hackney

London, UK

Navigation

Legal

Impressum

Privacy policy

Credits

Design: Bryce Willem

Code: Ezzat Abdelrazek

Address

Hackney

London, UK

Navigation

Legal

Impressum

Privacy policy

Credits

Design: Bryce Willem

Code: Ezzat Abdelrazek