Onlive revised

Onlive

Time: 2022
Duration: 1 months
Intro: Onlive is a service design app that aims to improve the user experience of online theatre and play. It incorporates essential functions like performance watching, ticket buying and community interaction into one app.
My role: This is an independent design project for which I conducted contextual inquiry, quantitative research, user journey mapping, mindmapping, wireframe, speculative design, lo-to-hi fi prototyping.

Overview

Background: Over the past two years, numerous offline plays and performances have been canceled due to the pandemic. In stark contrast to the pre-epidemic data of 2019, offline theaters witnessed a substantial decline in total revenue from 2019 to 2021.
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Problem statements:

How to enhance the overall user experience of online theatre and play, providing a holistic and engaging platform for users to enjoy theatrical content?
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Solutions:
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1. Accessible Information: Ensure clear and concise presentation of information related to performances, including cast details, plot summaries, and reviews.
2. Personalized Recommendations: Implement a recommendation system that understands user preferences based on past activities and provides personalized suggestions for upcoming performances.
3. Efficient Ticket Buying Process: Simplify the ticket purchasing process by implementing a user-friendly and secure payment system.
4. Community Interaction and Engagement: Encourage users to share their thoughts through chat forums, discussion boards, and social sharing.

Prototype

Performance news update
Personalized Recommendations for Enhanced Viewing Diversity

The performance update keeps content fresh by regularly adding new releases and classic titles. Personalized recommendations based on user preferences and viewing history help users discover new content they’ll enjoy.

Show information
Offer Convenient Scheduling and Detailed Information on Cast, Crew, Genres, and Categories

Online theaters offer show schedules and timings, helping users plan their viewing around their schedules. They provide details about the cast and crew, genres, and categories, aiding users in selecting content that matches their preferences.

Purchase ticket
Sustaining Online Theaters and Empowering Content Creator

Ticket purchases generate revenue for online theaters, supporting operations, original content production, and exclusive releases. Revenue also helps fund creators and artists, encouraging high-quality content.

Join the community
Enhancing Entertainment Experiences Through Shared Passions

Joining a community lets users connect with fellow enthusiasts of movies and TV shows. It provides a space for discussions, sharing experiences, and building relationships. Users can exchange reviews and recommendations, creating a shared pool of content insights, and engage with professional critics for a more informed discourse.

Watch performance
Live Chat Interaction: Elevating Viewer Experience in Real-Time Performances

The live chat feature enhances the viewing experience by enabling real-time interaction. Viewers can share applause, cheers, or reactions during a performance, and directly engage with performers, directors, and creators through interactive Q&A sessions.

Reflection

Designing the Onlive app has been a journey of innovation, empathy, and continuous improvement, driven by the profound impact of the pandemic on the theatre industry and the evolving needs of users in the digital age. Here are some reflections on the design process:

Understanding the Changing Landscape

The backdrop of the pandemic provided a unique context for designing the Onlive app. As offline plays and performances faced cancellations and revenue declines, there was a pressing need to reimagine the theatre experience in a digital format. Recognizing this shift, I embarked on the design process with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by both theatre enthusiasts and industry stakeholders in adapting to the new normal.

Iterative Design and Testing

The iterative design process played a crucial role in refining the Onlive app and optimizing the user experience. Each design iteration was informed by user feedback, usability testing, and performance analytics, allowing for continuous improvement and refinement. Whether it was optimizing the ticket buying process, fine-tuning the recommendation algorithm, or enhancing community engagement features, each iteration brought the app closer to its goal of providing a holistic and engaging platform for online theatre and play.