Case Study / 03
KISS FM Listen Live
iOS App design for the Syfy TVE service
Design and build a multi-brand VOD service for 21 LatAm countries
Role: Product Design
Platform: Web
Client: Bauer Media
In 2016, VOD became an integral space for the media business to distribute their TV content direct to their consumers, as traditional TV viewing declined. This was down to the huge YOY growth of providers such as Netflix & Prime as users had more variety at a lower cost than traditional cable services.
After the launch of the project, our results were: 23 operators, 21 countries, 110k activations, 4 brand sites, 2 rebrands, 8 apps, 8% monthly growth, $1.1M cost.
iOS mobile App design for the Syfy TVE service
My Role
I was part of the International Digital team, Leading and producing the creative and UI deliverables for the TVE product. I worked alongside Kevin Newman (UX) & Liam Chua (Tech) lead by Bruce Mitchell our VP of digital. We took responsibility for our specialist areas and presented work back to stakeholders as and when it was appropriate for us to do so. I was responsible for designing the Apps for both Android & iOS. Additionally updating the international networks websites and integrating the new catch up content. I was supported by a contract UX Designer and front end developer.
Final style tile for the Kiss Player
Final style tile for the Magic Player
The Challenge - 21 countries, 3 Brands, 1 app
How do you build an app for multiple brands that can be used by multiple user types and capable of handling varying quantities of content, there forced the app and its design would need to degrade gracefully when required. There were a number of key business requirements for the design of the app. Firstly Horizontal scroll on all tablet apps, Access to content right from the home screen, One app design system themeable for multiple brands.
I quickly became aware of some key challenges through the design exploration stages. Android Screen sizes offered a huge variety of screen dimensions as well as resolutions which lead to a number of design trade-offs. Like a lot of designers, I like to make sure designs are pixel perfect and look beautiful. Unfortunately, due to the diversity of screen variants on Android, we had to make the decision to go with the approaches to make sure we made deadlines going forward. Fortunately, I was able to collaborate closely with the App agency through conference calls and locating to Madrid for a week to sit alongside them and tighten up the approaches. What I learned through the Android designs especially was that it’s integral to select the highest priority device types. Ideally with the specific target demographic in mind.
Kiss Player home page design
Overview of territory & brands
The 3 brands we launched initially were Syfy, Universal Channel (Now Universal TV) and Studio Universal.
Additionally, we were tasked with creating the Play mark to sit alongside the brands on the TVE platform. I worked closely with the VP of Creative for international to create a mark that was clear, unique and respectful when positioned against the multiple brand logos which were on the TVE platform.
Team
Requirements
Designing for a territory I knew little about in regards to technology and user base. From numerous stakeholder interviews and market research, I was able to understand more about the market and the needs of the users. Along with this became more aware of specific business and stakeholder requirements that needed to be considered when building the foundation of the app designs.
Kiss Player Live radio page design
Results
We later launched rebrands for Universal channel to Universal TV and a brand refresh for Syfy channel. Along with this we were are to add Telemundo to the roster. All of these needed little design effort. The main requirement was to update fonts and typography along with the brand colors. This was all achieved through updating JSON files myself assisted on occasion by my interns to help them understand the process.
Result summary: 23 operators, 21 countries, 110k activations, 4 brand sites, 2 rebrands, 8 apps, 8% monthly growth, $1.1M cost.
Tools used
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Balsamiq
Resources & sources used
Google material design - Google
Atomic design - Brad Frost
Team members
Bruce Mitchell (VP Digital)
Liam Chua (Technology & PM)
Kevin Newman (UX Lead)
Jamie Eastabrook (FE Dev)
Albert Lo (Snr UX Designer)
Selected Works
TV EverywhereVideo On Deman (VOD)
HayuSubscription Video On Deman (SVOD)