Funimation Now
Visual Design & UX Case Study
Funimation Now is a top destination for streaming extraordinary anime entertainment.
Overview
The Problem
The Funimation Now web experience had recently received a visual overhaul in 2018. However, users are reporting negative experiences in several key areas of the site experience.
The Goal
My goal is to identify some of the core interaction issues within the web app and to improve the functionality where it’s needed.
Client:
Funimation / Sony Pictures
Project Type:
Individual Case Study
Platforms:
PC, Tablets & Mobile Devices
Timeframe:
2 Weeks
What I was responsible for
• User Research
• Visual Design
What tools I used Google Docs • Sketch Evernote Video/Still Camera • Pen & Paper
Invision • Voice Recording App
Discovery & Understanding
Competitive Analysis & Questionnaire
To evaluate the strengths & weakness of the Funimation Now platform, I completed a full competition analysis.
I created distributed and questionnaire to get quick feedback on the pain points of the current website experience.
Heuristic Analysis & Usability Testing
I used a Heuristic Analysis to fully assess and document basic usability issues. From there, I performed a usability test with a participant to gather further feedback.
Card Sorting
I used this activity to see where users felt certain features/menu items fit within the overall website architecture.
Defining the Problem
Hypothesis
We can conclude that out users are having a difficult time locating specific pages within the main navigation. Reorganizing the main navigation could alleviate the time spent searching for the correct page.
Users also want to be able to search for titles with various filters. More specifically, the ability to search by year, & production studio. This would allow them to dive further into the massive Funimation catalogue that they're known for.
The overall presentation, user flow & performance is not on par with other streaming services. Some "title" pages do not inform the user when new episodes are available. Likewise, users find it difficult to find & save titles that are about to premier on the service. The current app relies on customer memory & advertising to search for content when it's actually available.
• Low Resolution Title graphics
• Low Resolution Icon graphics
• Inconsistent hover colors
• Typographic hierarchy
• Type visibility & contrasting
User Personas
The personas were based on the feedback I had received from the discovery session.
Ideation & Prototyping
Paper Prototype
Before making a digital prototype, I decided to create a paper prototype to test initial ideas early and quickly. Also it allows users to focus on the important features.
Invision Prototype
After the paper prototype test, I iterated using digital lo-fi mockups on the Invision App platform. Later high fidelity mockups were based on the feedback received from this test. View Prototype
Visual Design
Desktop Designs
The new Funimation Now desktop experience brings the user to a space dedicated to
streaming and discovery.
Tablet & Mobile Responsive Screens
Content and images scale appropriately to deliver the best streaming experience
on any device without the usage of the mobile app.
Results & Future Iterations
After Testing
• For the “title cards” users preferred to have the entire name viewable
• On the individual “title” pages, user feedback suggest that the episode
name should replace the “show title”
• The addition of “preview trailers” to get a feel of a show before commitment
• The ability to remove a title from your watchlist
• The addition of a light mode toggle
• Shareable playlist & other social media features
*Case Study / Personal Project