WeShort
Industry
Entertainment
My role
UI Designer
Interaction Designer
Visual Designer

Project Overview

WeShort is a platform dedicated to short films, offering a streaming service that connects filmmakers and short-film enthusiasts worldwide. It provides a curated library of short films across various genres and languages, aiming to elevate the visibility of this often-overlooked format.

WeShort’s previous app struggled with a lengthy, complex registration process, which discouraged potential users from completing sign-ups. Additionally, the brand identity lacked distinction, failing to communicate the platform’s unique offering in a crowded market. With over 250,000 users worldwide, WeShort needed a streamlined user experience that not only aligned with their brand values but also facilitated smoother onboarding, making the sign-up process intuitive and accessible without overwhelming users with excessive steps or personal information upfront.
Business Goals

• Simplify the user registration process to increase sign-ups.

• Improve user retention by making the app more intuitive and engaging.


• Enhance brand recognition and stand out from competitors in the streaming market.

Challenges

• Users were dropping off during the lengthy registration process.


• The app’s visual identity was not strong enough to differentiate the brand.

• 
The user journey needed to be seamless without requiring upfront payment details.

Constraints

• Limited time to conduct multiple iterations of user testing.


• Maintaining compatibility with existing backend infrastructure.


• Aligning the new design with the freemium model without sacrificing user experience.

The Approach

1. Research & Discovery

We kicked off the project by conducting in-depth user research and analyzing feedback on pain points within the current app. Users expressed frustration with lengthy registration processes and the inability to explore content without committing to a subscription. Additionally, they wanted personalized content recommendations to help them navigate the vast library of short films. We gathered behavioral data with the help of a data analyst to understand user patterns and preferences, confirming the need for a more streamlined onboarding experience and smarter content discovery tools.

2. Strategy & Planning

The primary goal was twofold: simplify the registration process and introduce Shortie, an AI-powered recommendation engine. We envisioned Shortie as a personal guide that would tailor content suggestions based on user interests and mood. This required careful planning to ensure that the user experience was both intuitive and highly engaging. By removing unnecessary barriers during sign-up and letting Shortie handle the content curation, we aimed to increase user retention and satisfaction.

3. UI Kit & Prototyping

The primary goal was twofold: simplify the registration process and introduce Shortie, an AI-powered recommendation engine. We envisioned Shortie as a personal guide that would tailor content suggestions based on user interests and mood. This required careful planning to ensure that the user experience was both intuitive and highly engaging. By removing unnecessary barriers during sign-up and letting Shortie handle the content curation, we aimed to increase user retention and satisfaction.

4. Collaboration & Iteration

Throughout the project, I worked closely with the data analyst and development team to refine Shortie’s algorithm and ensure its smooth integration into the app. We iterated on the prototypes based on user feedback, ensuring that Shortie provided accurate and relevant recommendations. This collaboration helped optimize Shortie’s functionality, making it a core feature that significantly enhanced the user experience. The UI Kit I designed ensured a streamlined workflow for the programmers, enabling quick and efficient implementation of both the app’s interface and Shortie’s recommendation engine.

The Solution

The redesigned WeShort app featured a simplified, one-step registration process that aligned perfectly with user expectations. By minimizing the amount of information required upfront, users could quickly access the platform and explore its features before subscribing. The updated interface was not only more user-friendly but also reflected a cohesive brand identity with a professional, modern look.

40%

Decrease in sign-up time, thanks to the streamlined registration process.

25%

Increase in user engagement, with more users exploring the platform after signing up.

15%

Rise in trial sign-ups, highlighting the importance of the freemium model in boosting user acquisition.

Graphic Design

Besides the UI design of the app, I contributed to designing a wide range of deliverables that supported WeShort's growth and visibility. These included social media assets, marketing campaign visuals, and materials for both print and digital platforms. I worked closely with diverse teams and numerous stakeholders to successfully launch campaigns that resulted in a +2000% increase in our follower base over three years.

I also developed impactful presentations that proved instrumental in securing key partnerships with Amazon Prime Video and Trenitalia. Additionally, I crafted branded content for events such as the panel talk at Sundance 2023, ensuring WeShort's identity was consistently and professionally represented across all channels.