A Modern Streaming Solution
Duration:
24 Hours
Telus Bubble was a 24 hour hackathon, teamed with Telus.
Three Web Developers were teamed with two UX Designers to tackle a problem. Constant communication and collaboration was key to success.
Tayah Lee
UX Designer
Philip Ledingham
UX Designer
Henry Bellman
Web Developer
Nikhil Shetye
Web Developer
Matthew Simpson
Web Developer
Parameters
Telus Digital Mission Statement
“To Enable our customers and our teams to do what they want easily. We’re the team leading the digital revolution at TELUS.”
Parameters
The Challenge
On an exciting and nervy afternoon of the challenge, Telus presented to us their problem; With the ever growing number of streaming services in existence, how should we package Telus’s offerings to best suit user needs.
Consumers are experiencing option paralysis, and therefore a user-friendly, streamlined approach to consuming their favourite media is required.
Following the kickoff, we got our heads together and started brainstorming; what were the needs of a Telus customer, and how would we address those needs?
Research
Figma, Notion, Pen & Paper, Whiteboard, Slack
Tools:
Mobile Web
Platform:
Demographic
To get started, we needed to get an idea of the Telus customer we were designing for. Being limited to 24 hours, we kept this research very high level.
34%
A 2021 survey showed that 56 percent of the adults in North America stated they receive TV via cable or satellite. Only 34% of these were young adults.
Mobile First
The adults aged between 18 and 29 years old were the group which presented the lowest share (34 percent).
Streaming
In 2020, the number of pay TV households in Canada amounted to 8.3 million, down from 8.7 million recorded in the previous year. A forecast suggests that this trend will continue, dropping to 7.4 million pay TV households in 2023.
Research
Proto Persona
Utilizing the research we collected within a relatively brief timeframe, we embarked upon the creation of a proto persona named Emmanuel. This pivotal step allowed us to align our design efforts with the most fitting direction while keeping the end user at the forefront of our minds.
This artefact embodied the archetypal traits, needs, goals, and behaviours that resonated with a significant portion of our user base.
To gain a deeper understanding of Emmanuel's journey and current experience, we immersed ourselves in his perspective by personally going through the process of signing up for Telus.
By stepping into Emmanuel's shoes, we aimed to unravel the intricacies and nuances of his interaction with the service provider, enabling us to identify pain points, uncover opportunities for improvement, and ensure that our design efforts were aligned with his needs.
Emmanuel tried looking on his phone, but got frustrated with the experience, and moved to his laptop.
While discovering the sign up experience, he was confused by the amount of options available to him.
He pushed through, but when he got to the information about the channels, he didn’t know which ones had his favourite shows.
Planning
Goal
The primary objective of the challenge was to attract a larger audience of younger individuals who actively consume content to the Telus service.
We came up with the question:
“How might we help users create a TV package that has all their preferred channels?”
We then refined it further:
“How might we effectively engage millennials & Gen Z individuals, encouraging them to choose TELUS as their preferred content service provider?”
Planning
Constraints & Assumptions
Constraints
We didn’t want to affect the price of current Telus plans.
The demographic drove us to mobile first.
Assumptions
Users are unhappy with the current streaming experience.
They want a more customisable experience.
Users are willing to pay, but want to make the most of their money.
Design
User Stories
With a clear understanding of our target audience and the constraints and assumptions guiding our design process, we embarked on the next phase of brainstorming user stories.
This crucial step allowed us to propel our design efforts forward by envisioning the scenarios, interactions, and experiences that our users would encounter while engaging with our service.
As a content consumer I want…
to chose shows I want to watch so that I can have a customised / tailored streaming service.
to see what shows are available so that I know what channels to subscribe to.
to control my subscription from my mobile device so that I can start watching right away.
to remove channels I don’t watch so that I’m not wasting money.
to easily add new shows so that I keep up to date.
to see what others thought of a certain show so that I can make better decisions and don’t waste my time.
to know what channels my favourite shows are on so that I wan watch them without having to go searching.
to be signed in to all my available services so that I can have a seamless watching experience.
to easily find shows or channels I may like so that I can consume new content easier.
to test my customised bundle without committing so that I know I’m making the most of my subscription.
to not be overwhelmed by too many options so that I actually end up watching something and not waste time scrolling.
Design
User Flow
With the user stories in place, we embarked on the crucial task of shaping our viable product. As we delved into this stage, one of the key considerations we kept at the forefront of our minds was the user flow. Recognizing its pivotal role in crafting a seamless and intuitive user experience, we understood that simplicity would be paramount to the success of our product.
Careful deliberation and thoughtful decision-making guided us as we mapped out the user flow. We aimed to create a streamlined journey that minimized complexity and eliminated unnecessary steps. By prioritizing simplicity, we sought to ensure that users could navigate through our product effortlessly, intuitively understanding how to engage with its features and functionalities.
Design
Ideation
Building upon the established user flow, we forged ahead with our design process, engaging in fruitful discussions with the developers to determine the feasible scope of our project within the given time constraints of the hackathon. This collaboration was of paramount importance, as it allowed us to align our design aspirations with the technical capabilities and limitations, ensuring that we could deliver a minimum viable product that met our objectives.
Open and continuous communication between the design and development teams played a pivotal role in this phase. By fostering a collaborative environment, we were able to leverage each other's expertise, share insights, and bridge the gap between design concepts and technical implementation. Through active discussions, we sought to strike a balance between pushing the boundaries of creativity and realism, aiming to deliver a compelling user experience within the practical boundaries of the hackathon timeframe.
Design
Implementation
Throughout the evening and into the night, Tayah and I collaborated in a shared Figma file, bypassing the greyscale design phase due to time constraints and diving directly into creating high-fidelity designs. With a rapid pace, we completed each page of the user flow, promptly notifying the developers so they could begin coding simultaneously.
The sight of the developers' cursors intermittently entering and leaving the Figma file while we worked became an amusing source of entertainment during the early hours of the morning. Witnessing their real-time engagement with our design progress added an element of excitement and camaraderie to the intense collaborative effort.
Design
Minimum Viable Product
Following this intensive overnight session, we reconvened the next morning in a physical setting, armed with our completed final prototype.
To our delight, the developers' product closely resembled our own design. It was evident that the open lines of communication and collaborative spirit we had fostered had paid off. The attention to detail, technical expertise, and dedication exhibited by the developers were evident in the polished outcome they presented to us.
They had taken our design concepts and translated them into a functional and visually appealing product. The synchrony between our design vision and their technical execution was a testament to our collaborative efforts.
Presentation
Selling the Product
After investing several hours into refining and consolidating our efforts, meticulously crafting slides, composing compelling content, and rehearsing our presentation, we reached a point of readiness. With a sense of anticipation, we were prepared to showcase our work to the Telus team, and I was entrusted with the responsibility of demonstrating the interactive prototype we had developed.
As the presentation commenced, a palpable sense of excitement filled the room. As I navigated through the prototype, revealing its various features and functionalities, a chorus of "oohs" and "aahs" resonated from the audience. The bubble feature, in particular, elicited a wave of positive reactions, capturing the attention and admiration of those present. The developers’ product was met with a similarly positive reaction. Their product received plaudits from the judges for their attention to detail and the sheer amount they achieved in the time. Witnessing the audience's genuine enthusiasm and positive response served as a validation of our team's efforts and reinforced our confidence in the value of our design concept.
Our meticulously prepared presentation was met with resounding approval. The Telus team expressed their appreciation for the thoroughness and creativity of our solution, acknowledging the thoughtful incorporation of user-centric features and the seamless user experience we had envisioned. The positive reception further underscored the alignment between our design vision and the expectations of the Telus team, paving the way for potential collaboration and future development.
Conclusion
UX Designer
Role:
The Hackathon Experience
Participating in this hackathon with Telus was an unforgettable experience that has left a lasting impression on my mind. One of the key lessons I learned was the importance of effective time management. The fast-paced nature of the hackathon demanded efficient allocation of limited time and resources. Navigating through tight deadlines and juggling multiple tasks taught me to prioritize effectively, make swift decisions, and optimize productivity. I discovered the significance of setting realistic goals, maintaining a structured workflow, and adapting swiftly to unforeseen challenges.
Our successful collaboration was built upon mutual respect, regular updates, and a shared understanding of each other's expertise. It taught me the significance of acknowledging technical limitations, incorporating developers' insights early on, and embracing an iterative and agile mindset to deliver a cohesive final product.
In conclusion, this hackathon provided an incredible learning experience that extended far beyond technical skills. It instilled in me valuable lessons about time management, effective communication, collaboration, and the art of working harmoniously with developers. The intense pressure of the hackathon environment allowed me to unlock my potential and produce a final product that resonated with the intended audience. This transformative experience will continue to shape my approach to future projects and serve as a constant reminder of the rewards that come with perseverance, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence.