My Smash Media
UX/UI Design
My SMASH Media is a web app that offers digital tools for TV and film producers to craft compelling pitches for their projects. It also enables decision makers to discover projects and connect with their creators.
It was such a fun challenge to work in the fast-paced environment of a start-up!
As the lead designer for the product, I had complete control over the platform's UX and UI design, including defining user flows and conducting user testing sessions. I worked closely with the development team, ensuring a seamless handoff of designs and actively following up on implementation progress.
Following the successful launch of the MVP, we embarked on enhancing the platform with additional features such as expanded templates, a goal chooser, collaboration tools, project discovery and sharing functionality, and a dedicated section for decision makers. Additionally, we updated the UI to align with SMASH's updated branding, developed in collaboration with an external branding agency.
Process
My work was based on the double-diamond problem-solving process, based on four phases.
• The Discover phase involves understanding the crux of the issue via user research and competitor analysis.
• The Define stage leverages insights from the Discover phase to re-define the problem and understand the focus of the project, typically using a “How Might We” statement.
• The Develop phase is where the ideation starts! Typically, I might facilitate Crazy 8 sessions or other workshops to generate different ideas and solutions. The best ideas are developed into sketches, wireframes and low-fidelity prototypes that can be tested with users in order to find the best answer or solution to the initial question or problem.
• The Deliver stage involves iterating the designs based on the user feedback. Features may be stripped out for MVP (minimum viable product) or re-focused if users value a particular screen or feature. Once the core designs have been established they can be upscaled into high-fidelity designs that truly reflect the brand image and style.
I took a comprehensive approach, starting with research and analysis of the target audience to understand their needs and pain points. Some of the initial research (Discover phase) came from the SMASH partners from their business plan creation, showing some of the most important features the film and TV industry needed from producers to pitch for a new film or show.
At this point me and the team created an initial user journey.
After some workshopping, I translated my findings into sketches. From there I developed the best ideas onto wireframes and low-fidelity prototypes.
With new user feedback in hand, we finally had a high-fidelity MVP prototype, allowing me to work with the Developers team to arrive at a polished and functional final product that met the client's goals.
Design system
The project also involved me creating a design system for our team. The goal of this system was to provide a consistent set of design guidelines, patterns, and components. By having a design system in place, we managed to streamline our workflows, reduce duplication of effort, and accelerate the delivery of high-quality designs. The system allowed for better collaboration and communication between designers, developers, and stakeholders.