Big Brother: Designing for a Global Audience
Project overview
Project Leadership During Challenging Times
I led the redesign of the live player interface for the Big Brother TV show, aiming to enhance user engagement and interaction. Over the course of three months, during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, I collaborated with teams across design, development, and user research to deliver a more intuitive and user-friendly experience.
Positive Feedback Despite Postponement
Despite the project’s postponement due to the show’s indefinite delay, user testing feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with the redesigned interface being praised for its ease of navigation. This project provided a valuable experience in cross-functional teamwork, allowing for a deep dive into one of the company’s major initiatives, refining every detail with input from multiple teams.
Process
Research and Analysis
The development of the live streaming platform's interface was a collaborative and iterative process, beginning with thorough research and competitive analysis that informed the design direction and key features. Detailed wireframes were created for various screen sizes, ensuring a responsive design that catered to desktop, tablet, and mobile users. These wireframes served as the blueprint for the final interface, guiding both design and development teams through each stage of the project.
User Testing and Feedback
A significant part of this process was the user testing phase, which played a crucial role in refining the interface. A dedicated group of UX researchers led this effort, organizing remote testing sessions where users interacted with the web prototype in real-time. The sessions were conducted discreetly, with users unaware that their actions were being observed, allowing for authentic feedback on the interface's usability. Following the live tests, participants were surveyed about their overall experience and feelings towards the new interface. The insights gained from these tests were invaluable, leading to several key adjustments that greatly enhanced the user experience.
Process
Collaboration with Development
Additionally, the project benefited from a series of highly productive meetings with the development team. These meetings were essential for aligning design goals with technical feasibility, enabling real-time problem-solving and iterative improvements. The open and constructive communication ensured that the final product was not only visually appealing but also technically robust and user-friendly.
Project Conclusion
Overall, the work process was marked by strong collaboration between design, UX research, and development teams, resulting in a successful outcome that met the project's objectives and exceeded user expectations. Unfortunately, access to the original web prototype used during testing is no longer available.
Outcome
Although the "Big Brother" live player interface redesign was never fully rolled out due to the unpredictable circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project remains a standout example of design innovation and collaborative effort. Over three intense months, we developed a prototype that not only met high standards for user engagement but also introduced new features like the Camera View Selector and Key Moments section, aimed at enhancing the user experience.
The interface was designed to be intuitive and responsive, making it easier for users to navigate and interact with the content. Despite the project not reaching the final implementation stage, the work was thoroughly tested, and the feedback from users was overwhelmingly positive.
This experience was invaluable, teaching us the significance of user-centered design and the power of thorough testing and iteration. Working closely with another Senior Designer and the development team, we tackled challenges head-on, refining the design to near perfection.
Even though the project didn’t launch, the journey was a success in its own right. It showcased my ability to adapt, collaborate effectively across teams, and produce a design that had the potential to set new standards in user experience. The lessons and skills gained during this project continue to inspire my future work.