cowatch
cowatch
ux/ui feature passion project
ux/ui feature passion project
a party in the palm of your hands
a party in the palm of your hands
UX - In collaboration with Quinton King
Netflix Cowatch was designed to establish an optimized shared viewing experience for Netflix users allowing them to connect and bond with friends, family, and other users even through long distance.
UX - In collaboration with Quinton King
Netflix Cowatch was designed to establish an optimized shared viewing experience for Netflix users allowing them to connect and bond with friends, family, and other users even through long distance.
the problem
the problem
Streaming services excel at offering content, but there's a gap in features that allow friends and families far apart to enjoy movies or shows together virtually. This limits the ability to create shared viewing experiences that can strengthen connections.
Streaming services excel at offering content, but there's a gap in features that allow friends and families far apart to enjoy movies or shows together virtually. This limits the ability to create shared viewing experiences that can strengthen connections.
Streaming services excel at offering content, but there's a gap in features that allow friends and families far apart to enjoy movies or shows together virtually. This limits the ability to create shared viewing experiences that can strengthen connections.
the solution
the solution
Integrating a platform that allows users to create and utilize watch parties to foster shared media experiences and bonding moments regardless of distance.
Integrating a platform that allows users to create and utilize watch parties to foster shared media experiences and bonding moments regardless of distance.
with our research we concluded that
with our research we concluded that
“Something that allows you to toggle between a DND mode and a party mode. In DND it could put you into an uninterrupted viewing screen, while in party mode, it could have chat features or reactions.”
“Something that allows you to toggle between a DND mode and a party mode. In DND it could put you into an uninterrupted viewing screen, while in party mode, it could have chat features or reactions.”
Caydin, student at Texas State University
Caydin, student at Texas State University
Jamaree, student at Texas State University
Jamaree, student at Texas State University
“I’m pretty comfortable using video chat while watching a show on Netflix. I think if I could have a feature where I could turn off my camera or mute my mic like Zoom, i’d feel more comfortable and safer.”
“I’m pretty comfortable using video chat while watching a show on Netflix. I think if I could have a feature where I could turn off my camera or mute my mic like Zoom, i’d feel more comfortable and safer.”
so how might we make Cowatch a better experience for our users?
so how might we make Cowatch a better experience for our users?
competitive analysis
competitive analysis
what are our priorities?
what are our priorities?
With so many ideas of what Quinton and I could make Cowatch be, we had to sit together and prioritize what could best enhance the user’s experience.
With so many ideas of what Quinton and I could make Cowatch be, we had to sit together and prioritize what could best enhance the user’s experience.
so what’s the flow?
so what’s the flow?
We wanted to make sure our user flow navigated easily all while being a feature integrated within Netflix; we it needed to seamlessly fit in with the rest of the platform.
We wanted to make sure our user flow navigated easily all while being a feature integrated within Netflix; we it needed to seamlessly fit in with the rest of the platform.
wireframe designs
wireframe designs
We needed to sort out janky TV controls, difficult, and slow. Not only that, but many lack cameras or microphones. How can we create a system that allows TV users the same flexibility as browser users?
To combat this issue, Quinton proposed a feature that allows users to link their Netflix accounts to their smart tv, or media consoles using the Netflix app on their phone. This would allows users to use their mobile device as a webcam, microphone, and handle chat functionality, all while watching on the big screen.
We needed to sort out janky TV controls, difficult, and slow. Not only that, but many lack cameras or microphones. How can we create a system that allows TV users the same flexibility as browser users?
To combat this issue, Quinton proposed a feature that allows users to link their Netflix accounts to their smart tv, or media consoles using the Netflix app on their phone. This would allows users to use their mobile device as a webcam, microphone, and handle chat functionality, all while watching on the big screen.
what we learned through out user testing
what we learned through out user testing
positives
positives
Users enjoyed the expressive and animated reactions
Users enjoyed the expressive and animated reactions
what could be improved
what could be improved
Users struggles to understand how the mobile application interacts with the Television screen. Users felt that a disappearing chat, while non-intrusive posed issues, for those focused on the content had impacted their ability to stay in conversation
Users struggles to understand how the mobile application interacts with the Television screen. Users felt that a disappearing chat, while non-intrusive posed issues, for those focused on the content had impacted their ability to stay in conversation
interactive decisions
interactive decisions
Redesigning aspects of the experience to clarify the service for users.
Redesigning aspects of the experience to clarify the service for users.
link your phone to your TV !!
link your phone to your TV !!
When users were met with only the chat reactions and live chat, users felt like the connection between the tv and mobile experiences was not apparent. Introducing a section that showcases where content is being played clarified the interaction immensely.aspects of the experience to clarify the service for users.
When users were met with only the chat reactions and live chat, users felt like the connection between the tv and mobile experiences was not apparent. Introducing a section that showcases where content is being played clarified the interaction immensely.aspects of the experience to clarify the service for users.
party controls !!
party controls !!
In order to create a more succinct user experience, we moved the browser controls into the chat window, helping clarify their importance, and making what they do more apparent.
In order to create a more succinct user experience, we moved the browser controls into the chat window, helping clarify their importance, and making what they do more apparent.
live party !!
live party !!
We thought it was important for every part of the watch party process to be interactive, allowing users to voice their preference, actively make suggestions, and have a presence in the room. Inspired by collaboration tools like Miro and Figjam, we opted to add live cursors when selecting movies, and content voting for everyone to get their say.
We thought it was important for every part of the watch party process to be interactive, allowing users to voice their preference, actively make suggestions, and have a presence in the room. Inspired by collaboration tools like Miro and Figjam, we opted to add live cursors when selecting movies, and content voting for everyone to get their say.
can i get a /w in the chat !!
can i get a /w in the chat !!
While friend groups are fun, when everyone is talking and enjoying the movie or show together, sometimes you just want to send a message exclusively to one person. In order to achieve this we introduced a whisper mode with the command /w (name), ensuring only your intended audience gets the message.
While friend groups are fun, when everyone is talking and enjoying the movie or show together, sometimes you just want to send a message exclusively to one person. In order to achieve this we introduced a whisper mode with the command /w (name), ensuring only your intended audience gets the message.
final design
final design
