Designing for Audio/Video on Demand

The Challenges

At IDEO, I worked with two of the largest leading video streaming services as well as the leading audiobook platform (there is a near 100% probability you have used one of, if not all of these services 😉). Through these projects I was fortunate enough to be a part of exploring several key business challenges, going from user insights to high-fidelity / pixel-perfect prototypes and design delivery.

  • How might a leading audio platform extend its reach into podcasting?
  • How might we enhance the discovery+viewing experience for both streaming video and live streaming content?
  • How might immersive media technology (VR/AR/360/interactive video) and connected devices change the way we consume–and interact with–new and existing forms of media?
  • How might we better drive utilization of our suite of ad products by designing useful tools for advertisers?

The Results

I'm proud to say several of these projects have gone to market either as a standalone product, or as part of the design/feature evolution of an existing products. We were also able to help a future-facing business unit secure continued funding for product and content production through the work we were able to show to Exec leadership, which allowed them to have a footprint in the metaverse.

Work Summary

While I can't share specifics of my work publicly, I can say that each of these projects approached these problems through a human centered process of research, synthesis, prototyping, and testing with users. In this field in particular, I was able to lean heavily into my creative technology background to not just design pixels, but make our concepts experiential through code.

Over the course of the challenges noted some examples of prototypes I have personally designed and built include:

  • A voice-controlled video interface for kids (Amazon Lambda, Alexa, Node.js, Azure cloud)
  • An AR lens for a second-screen live TV augmented experience, tested via live intercepts at a MLB game (AR Studio, Blender 3D, JavaScript)
  • Several VR interface and experience prototypes (A-Frame / WebVR, JavaScript, Blender 3D, After Effects, physical installation)
  • A responsive mobile/desktop prototype to demonstrate an advertiser product experience across devices (HTML, SCSS, JavaScript, PHP, LAMP)
  • A high-production value film to socialize smart integrations and adaptive conversational interfaces in a realistic setting

Feel free to reach out to learn more about my role and the specific problem spaces addressed in these projects.