DIRECTV – Satellite TV 📡

I led my team of designers in a redesign of the Satellite
TV (functionally & visually). I helped craft the UX strategy

& directed all UX from early sketches to final prototypes.
Ensured cross-functional alignment from start to finish.

Ushering the satellite-based TV product
into the new age with a modernized
entertainment experience.

Challenges

At the time, the TV experience had serious limitations. The technical constraints made updating the overall experience very time-consuming. This hurt any type of short-term programs the business wanted to explore. There was also concern from a customer experience standpoint, with low satisfaction leading to customer calls.

Old Experience – Main Menu (Before)

We identified several user pain points and prime opportunities
to elevate the experience into the modern age.

User Pain Points

Don't Make Me Work

Finding something to watch felt like work.
Too much of a dig to get to content.

Multiple Recordings Locations

Program recordings and how to manage them were housed
in multiple locations, creating a disjointed experience.

Disruptive Search
Searches could only be performed via one location, so users
had to exit whatever they were doing/watching to search for something.

Lack of Visual Appeal
The look & feel was starting to feel dated.

Old Experience – Recordings (Before)

Goals

• Make it easier to access content. The experience should feel shallow and light, even though there's a deep library of content.

• Centralize recordings (DVR) and simplify how users interact with and manage their recordings.

• Make search a globally accessible feature, allowing users to search from anywhere in the experience.

• Modernize the visual look & feel.

Process

User Centered Design
Through several iterations and multiple rounds of user testing (UCD), we were able to reach a design which resonated with users and proved to be the stronger solution.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Buy-In
Through this process, we also collaborated closely
with ENG & Product every step of the way. Our CTO had serious concerns at first and was worried about the transformation, but ultimately became a champion of ours.