Pioneering mobile news consumption for a generation of digital natives.
Skills
Product Design
User Expiernece Design
Design system Engineering
Short Video Design System
Instead of adapting it, NowThis is building video content that fits in to the social network where the audience lives and pioneered the modern Reel video system
My role as a Senior Product Designer offered a compelling opportunity to be part of a company leading the charge in the mobile and social media revolution. Throughout my tenure, a key focus was on designing video overlays and conducting research to develop responsive mobile layout systems tailored to the emerging vertical video format. These efforts extended to optimizing NowThis' presence on platforms such as Snapchat, subsequently influencing strategies on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Simultaneously, I played a crucial role in formulating impactful strategies for short-form videos (now recognized as Reels, Shorts, etc.), silent auto-plays, innovative overlay designs, and captions seamlessly integrated into every video. This pioneering approach ensured that viewers could engage with and comprehend concise video edits, facilitating immersive storytelling even in the absence of sound. The success of this strategy quickly reverberated throughout the industry, capturing the attention of other video creators. At the forefront of the digital media landscape, NowThis positioned itself as a trailblazer, embracing native Facebook publishing during its nascent stages. Through a collaborative partnership with Facebook, we delved into the possibilities of their recently introduced timeline auto playing video feature, distinguishing NowThis as a pioneer in strategically utilizing text overlays on videos, thereby driving innovation within the industry.
Keep it Simple. video Introduction is overrated.
Video introductions can often be overrated, and it's okay to have none at all or to keep it short. The key is to keep it simple and get straight to the point. Viewers' attention spans are short, and they want to get to the main content as quickly as possible. A long, drawn-out introduction can be tedious and risk losing their interest. By focusing on the key message and cutting out unnecessary fluff, you can more effectively engage and retain your audience.
Every Second Counts. The viewer must understand the story within seconds.
In the fast-paced world of digital media, it's important to capture the viewer's attention quickly. This is especially true when it comes to video content. A viewer should be able to understand the story within seconds, or they may lose interest and move on to something else. To make sure your message is effective, it's important to keep things simple and get to the point as quickly as possible. This may mean skipping the traditional introduction or keeping it brief, and focusing on delivering your message in an engaging and concise way.
Text overlays and captions means people can watch the video, even with no sound.
Using text overlays and captions can be a powerful tool for video content creators. By including text on screen, viewers can still understand the story and message even if they don't have the sound turned on. This can be especially useful for social media platforms where many people watch videos without sound, or for viewers who are in a public place and can't have the sound on. By considering the importance of text overlays and captions, content creators can ensure that their message is being received by as many people as possible, regardless of the audio setting.
Focused Audio. Keep the focus. Use only the most essential audio elements.
When creating videos, it's important to keep the audio focused and only include the most essential elements. This helps keep the viewer's attention and ensures that the message of the video is clear and concise. By eliminating unnecessary audio elements, the video becomes easier for the viewer to understand and engage with. Whether it's dialogue, sound effects, or music, only use what is necessary to tell the story and keep the focus on the main message of the video.
Interaction Design, to call attention and control viewers attention
Interaction design is all about creating an engaging and immersive experience for the viewer. One way to do this is by using visual elements like text overlays and captions to call attention to key points and ideas. By making certain words or phrases larger or bolder, or by using effects like zoom-in or zoom-out, we can effectively control the viewer's attention and guide them through the story. This is especially useful when it comes to videos that may be watched with the sound off, as text overlays and captions allow the viewer to still understand and engage with the content. Overall, interaction design is an important aspect of creating effective and impactful video content.
Vertical Video Format
In today's digital landscape, it's important to create content that is tailored to the various platforms and formats it will be viewed on. One format that has gained popularity in recent years is the vertical video format, which is specifically designed for viewing on mobile devices. By creating native content for this format, brands, and publishers can better engage with their mobile audience and ensure that their content is easily consumable on the go. When designing for the vertical video format, it's significant to consider the unique characteristics of this format and how it differs from traditional horizontal formats. This might include using larger text and bolding to call attention, zooming in and out to focus on key elements, and using effects to control the viewer's attention. By keeping these considerations in mind, brands can create compelling and effective content that resonates with their mobile audience.
Cross Platform Branding
A digital rebranding specifically designed for visibility and brand identity across social networks, formats, and platforms.
When NowThis embarked on a mission to elevate their brand, they sought a design that would align with current standards and their future vision. That's where my expertise came into play. I embarked on creating various moods, concepts, and ideas to establish a consistent look and feel that resonated with their viewers, evoking a sense of familiarity and security across all platforms and networks.
Before
After
Vertical Video and Gesture-Based UI Research
Innovating the Mobile User Experience with NowThis. Early Experiments with Vertical Videos, Multi-Touch Gesture-Based Interfaces, and AI Sharing.
At NowThis, I had the privilege of being part of a groundbreaking digital media company that was at the forefront of industry trends. My role as a designer encompassed a range of exciting projects, with a particular focus on shaping the mobile experience for the emerging vertical video format. Initially, my task involved creating a cutting-edge mobile layout system specifically tailored to NowThis' Snapchat channel. This innovative format later gained widespread adoption on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, solidifying its impact on the digital landscape.
I had the opportunity to embark on ambitious ventures that pushed the boundaries of mobile news delivery. I spearheaded research and design for a next-generation mobile news app, envisioning a revolutionary vertical video format complemented by a user-friendly, gesture-based UI. Additionally, I explored the possibilities of an AI-powered sharing system, aiming to seamlessly distribute native content across affiliated networks. Although the app itself never came to fruition, my research and design contributions played a vital role in the development of successful design systems that continue to impact millions of users and content creators to this day.
Vertical Video Format
I designed several prototype animations with the "Vehicle Video format" in mind, ensuring that the end result would be both visually appealing and impactful for the viewer. Through my careful planning and attention to detail, I was able to create a series of animations that effectively conveyed the desired message and captivated the audience.
AI Smart Sharing
I have designed and built a feature that allows for the use of AI to power a sharing system that can share native content across affiliated networks. This feature has the potential to revolutionize the way content is shared and disseminated, making it easier and more efficient for users to connect with their networks.
Offline Content
As a designer, I understand the importance of accessibility and convenience for users. With the Watch-offline feature, I aimed to provide a solution for those who may not always have access to a strong internet connection. By allowing users to set their own preferences for cache size and data usage, they can tailor the feature to their own needs and watch videos on their own terms. Whether they're commuting on a train with a weak signal or just want to save data while on the go, the Watch-offline feature gives users the flexibility to access their favorite content whenever and wherever they want.
Gesture Based UX
I focused on designing a user experience that could be easily navigated with just one hand or thumb. I conducted extensive research on gesture-based interfaces and developed several prototype animations to test and refine the design. The result was a fully gesture-based UX and UI that was intuitive and easy to use, even on small screens. This design not only improved the user experience, but also made it easier for people to interact with the app on the go, whether they were driving, commuting, or just out and about.
Stories Video Playlist System
Unleashing the Power of Video Playlists: Innovating Short Video consumption with Snapchat, Facebook, and pioneering the Reels and Story video system
Revolutionizing the digital media landscape, NowThis spearheaded a groundbreaking technical strategy: the utilization of Video Playlists on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. This innovative feature empowered us to curate and archive video content, enabling viewers to easily access and catch up on previously missed videos. A notable demonstration of this approach was our exclusive 20-minute interview with Joe Biden, strategically transformed into a series of 8 concise clips tailored for the NowThis Facebook page. By assembling these clips into a Playlist, we provided a dedicated space for them, amplifying their visibility and extending their lifespan for viewers who wished to experience them in a sequential manner. Today, Video Playlists have become a ubiquitous tool embraced by content creators and brands alike, facilitating broader mobile audience reach and fostering engagement with long-form content.
