04

Netflix

04

Netflix

04

Netflix

Role:

User Research

UI/UX Designer

Team:

Independent Project !

Timeline:

February 2024 - May 2024

Overview

As a college student who loves Netflix movie nights with friends, I encountered challenges staying connected during breaks or when friends were abroad. Existing tools like Teleparty and Zoom screenshare were clunky and distracting. This led me to create a seamless way for users to enjoy synchronized movie nights directly within Netflix.

Problem

While Netflix is perfect for solo viewing, users rely on third-party extensions for social watch parties, which disrupt the experience with issues like audio sync problems and the need to switch between apps. These tools detract from the immersive experience users seek.

Solution

I designed an integrated "Watch Party" feature within Netflix, allowing users to host or join watch parties without leaving the app. The feature includes synchronized video playback, real-time chat, and audio controls—all natively embedded into the Netflix interface.

Overview

As a college student who loves Netflix movie nights with friends, I encountered challenges staying connected during breaks or when friends were abroad. Existing tools like Teleparty and Zoom screenshare were clunky and distracting. This led me to create a seamless way for users to enjoy synchronized movie nights directly within Netflix.

Problem

While Netflix is perfect for solo viewing, users rely on third-party extensions for social watch parties, which disrupt the experience with issues like audio sync problems and the need to switch between apps. These tools detract from the immersive experience users seek.

Solution

I designed an integrated "Watch Party" feature within Netflix, allowing users to host or join watch parties without leaving the app. The feature includes synchronized video playback, real-time chat, and audio controls—all natively embedded into the Netflix interface.

Analysis

User interviews revealed frustrations with third-party tools like Teleparty, citing issues with syncing and the hassle of switching apps. Users desired a native solution that kept interactions within Netflix, allowing for smoother watch parties and easier access to social features. This feedback underscored the opportunity to enhance the Netflix experience by integrating social viewing directly into the platform, improving user engagement and creating a more cohesive movie night experience.

Algoinvest Portfolio Page

Algoinvest Performance Page

Insight

The initial evaluation reveals that the platform overwhelms users with too much information, hindering navigation and focus. Streamlining content and improving access to key features is essential, while a consistent branding approach is needed to enhance user trust and credibility.

Ideating Solutions

I am refining high-fidelity prototypes while showcasing the logo I designed for Algoinvest to ensure a cohesive, user-centered experience. Key contributions include:

  • Streamlined Navigation: An optimized page hierarchy that enhances user flows and simplifies access to platform features

  • Visual Design Enhancements: Polished layouts with refined typography and a cohesive color scheme to improve readability and build trust.

  • Logo - The Algowave: A design with three ascending bars symbolizing market fluctuations and growth, reflecting AlgoInvest’s mission to guide investors with clarity and data-driven insights.

Logo Ideas

Logo Ideas

  • Explore Page: A streamlined flowchart that combines fund relationships and performance metrics, providing clear overviews and detailed insights.

Low-Fidelity Sketch

Mid-Fidelity Prototype

High-Fidelity Prototype

The Final Design

The final design begins with a restructured navigation system that improves user flow and accessibility across the platform. By refining the hierarchy and optimizing transitions between key sections—Dashboard, Explore, Funds, and Philosophy—I’ve ensured that users can easily navigate through the platform without friction, providing a smoother and more intuitive experience.

New Logo Design

The Algowave logo captures the essence of market fluctuations and growth through minimalistic iconography. The three ascending bars symbolize the waves of the stock market, reflecting AlgoLink’s mission to guide investors steadily toward financial success with a clear, data-driven approach.

Enhanced Explore Page

The final design unifies the Portfolio and Performance pages into a centralized Explore hub, creating a seamless experience for users. By streamlining navigation and focusing on interactive data visualizations, the redesign makes fund performance and diversification metrics more accessible.

  • Initial State: Default view with minimal interaction.

  • Expanded State: Fully selected and detailed state.

Improved Interactive Data Visualizations

Building on the previous design, significant enhancements were made to the following elements:

  • Performance Graph:

    Expanded interactivity with more granular timeframes and asset-specific filters, empowering users to analyze performance trends over various periods effectively.

  • Performance Graph:

    Expanded interactivity with more granular timeframes and asset-specific filters, empowering users to analyze performance trends over various periods effectively.

  • Correlation Heatmap:

    Refined color coding and tooltip integration to improve usability and clarity, helping users better identify diversification opportunities.

  • Correlation Heatmap:

    Refined color coding and tooltip integration to improve usability and clarity, helping users better identify diversification opportunities.

  • Performance Table:

    Reorganized key financial metrics, such as returns, volatility, and Sharpe ratios, into an intuitive layout for easier comparison and decision-making.

  • Performance Table:

    Reorganized key financial metrics, such as returns, volatility, and Sharpe ratios, into an intuitive layout for easier comparison and decision-making.

These updates maintain the functionality of the original tools while elevating the user experience with improved usability and design coherence.

Conclusion

This feature bridges the gap between physical and virtual movie nights, enabling users to stay connected and enjoy movies together—no third-party tools required. By incorporating social features directly into Netflix, the platform becomes more immersive and user-friendly.

Reflection + Future Trajectory

This project highlighted the importance of seamless integration and user-centered design. Moving forward, I plan to expand social features based on user needs, ensuring that any additions complement Netflix’s core viewing experience without causing disruption.