Process

The application was very extensive with complicated back end models and 3rd party integrations. So for the ease of discussion, I’ll highlight the process for one of our challenges. I’d be happy to discuss the other features and process in person.

Research and User Testing

(App feature - Generate your Mix)

One of the key feature of this app is users ability to customize and personalize their ”mix” (content). This gets configured in different place throughout the app, one of the more significant being while on-boarding users when they launch the app for the 1st time.

Here is the user flow and wireframes of the feature for reference.

However our user research and testing indicated the following -

• Participants do not know how videos are suggested to them in the app’s Mix

• Some participants fail to recognize that they are being asked to select a favourite show and immediately tap “Start Watching”

Solution

As a solution, we had to explore a better way to communicate Mix-Generation to the users . We decided to use Motion Design to capture the audience’s attention while adding an exciting interactive aspect to it. Here are the storyboards and mock up videos I created to convey our ideas for client approval.

Challenges

• Technical 

  The 3D design and animation utilized high memory on low end hardware like Tizen TV , and didn’t give a fluid experience. Hence we had to revisit a few features like on-boarding experience to find reasonable alternatives, while still not compromising on the user experience. I managed these change requests by validating proposed alternatives with our development team so as to incur minimum if any code changes.

  During the last phase of the project , I worked on site with the client to support on any last minute bug fixes and tasks that needed attention before release.

• Design

  It was a challenging project, given the brand has so much style and character or its own. We aimed at preserving the branding, while still following the guidelines and standard practices for 10 foot design, since they are significantly different than those for mobile devices.

Final Product

The application was a success with the audience due to it’s bold and vibrant appeal, paired with ease of navigation and discovery. A week Into the beta release , we got some performance related feedback form users, which was fixed in subsequent release.

Here are a few highlights from the application-

CLient Support

I worked on site with the client from time to time, right from the beginning of the project. Offering transparency with technical insights into our engine capabilities during decision making, helped foster trust and the relationship in the process early on.
After the project delivery, I on-boarded the client design team by organizing training workshops, and further offered them technical support for a period of 2 months after training until they were confident with our technology.

Takeaway

• Consider technical requirements and limitations of all platforms to create a robust app design.

• Keep linear and simple navigations

• Avoiding any jarring animations, and hence keeping the motion design subtle and minimal.

• Minimize interactions to avoid reaching out for the remote control often. Most of the times it takes more time to find that missing remote, right?