BACKGROUND
Overview
Zesha is a revolutionary web application designed to empower content creators and viewers to monetize their passion for creating and engaging with content. Launched in 2022, Zesha has quickly gained popularity in the ever-growing online content creation industry, offering a unique platform that benefits both creators and viewers.
ROLE & DURATION
Role
Sole UI/UX Designer
Sole UI/UX Designer I was the only designer in the company collaborating closely with product managers, engineers, content strategist, business analyst and stakeholders to develop the emerging video platform.
Duration
3 months
The Current Challenge
You've undoubtedly observed that, in the modern online environment, videos have taken centre stage. The content creation landscape has expanded exponentially over the last decade, with countless individuals showcasing their talents and interests on various platforms. However, many content creators struggle to monetize their efforts effectively, often relying on advertising revenue, sponsorships, or merchandise sales, which can be inconsistent or unreliable. On the other hand, viewers invest time and energy engaging with content they love, but they rarely see direct financial benefits from their interactions. This imbalance in the content ecosystem prompted the need for a platform like Zesha.
The Solution
Zesha addresses this challenge by introducing a platform where content creators and viewers can mutually benefit from their participation. The platform operates on the principle of a cryptocurrency-based reward system, creating a unique ecosystem where both parties can earn and support each other.
Research & Explorations
Aside from the basic competitive research from platforms like Imagine Replay, Ta Ta Tu, Rewarded TV, YouTube, Patreon, TikTok, and blockchain-based applications like Steem. etc. We also interviewed several content creators and viewers, in order to identify the main problems we needed to focus on solving with Zesha. We were looking forward to pointing out common pain points from the quotes and translate them to clear goals.
From the sessions, we noticed some human insights. It emphasized the importance of providing diverse monetization options for content creators. Creators wanted flexibility in choosing how they earned, including the ability to sell merchandise and advertise within the platform.
Users sought better content discovery features that allowed them to find content aligned with their interests. They appreciated personalized content recommendations and search functionality.
Empathy Map: Personas
We created personas to better represent our target audience.
Content Creator
Rato
29 years old, Content creator
Mauritius
“I love creating content and I'd love to be able to make it my full-time job.”
Personal Details
Demographics
Single, Female
Work Experience:
Customer Support Executive by day, content creator by night
Devices:
MacBook Pro, Nikon DSLR, iPhone 14
Tech Exposure
About
29-year-old content creator living in Mauritius. Started creating YouTube videos in Jan. 2019, and has over 130 videos, many of which are centered around helpful tips for navigating life as a student & then expatriate living in the tiny Indian Ocean island.
Dosia's videos have over 155,000 views, she regularly receives appreciative messages from hundreds of fans and followers who love her videos.
Only earned her first dollar on YouTube in September 2021, more than 2 years after publishing her first video. Since then, has earned less than $100… yet she keeps creating videos because it's truly what she loves.
Patterns & Behaviours
- Loves creating content around food, lifestyle and travel.
- Spends most of her spare time watching other creators' videos online.
- Outgoing, fun personality.
Goals & Motivations
- Wants to earn more consistently from content she creates.
- Quitting her day job to create content full-time.
- Connect more deeply with her fans and followers.
Content Viewer
Ihechi
25 years old, Graphics Designer
Ghana
“I value my time, I do not what to waste my time watching what I am not interested in”
Personal Details
Demographics
Married, Female
Work Experience:
Graphics & Brand Designer
Devices:
MacBook Pro, Redmi Note 12
Tech Exposure
About
Ihechi is a 25 year old graphic designer and film enthusiast. She loves watching different types of online videos: tutorials, movie trailers and reviews, as well as video podcasts. She also follows a number of content creators religiously.
Ihechi wants to control how she consumes online content, and make it a more productive activity. She'd love to get a daily feed of videos from her favorite content creators, so she doesn't have to keep visiting different online platforms to keep up with her favorite content creators.
She'd also love to be able to support her favorite content creators by donating small amounts to them from time to time. And if she can earn while doing this, why not?!
Patterns & Behaviours
- Very preferential about the type of content she consumes.
- A creative person that likes to watch videos to help her.
- Outgoing, fun personality.
Goals & Motivations
- Wants to streamline content she consumes to creators she loves.
- Wants to be able to support her favorite content creators.
- Wants her habit of watching and listening to online content consumption to feel more like a more productive activity.
Storyboard
I created a storyboard to visualize the user’s current scenario before going on to ideate on possible solutions
Current User Scenario
Scenario: Future user experience of the Zesha app by a content creator
Drafting out the Ideas
Using the storyboard and insights gathered from the user interviews, I proceeded to drafting out ideas for the how it would look like based on a deeper understanding of the user needs and insights learnt about them.
Some selected ideas
For Creators
Real-time Analytics Dashboard
Using the storyboard and insights gathered from the user interviews, I proceeded to drafting out ideas for the how it would look like based on a deeper understanding of the user needs and insights learnt about them.
Upload Videos
Users can upload new videos and view videos uploaded, edit, delete etc. They are also provided clear and transparent compensation models that detail how different types of engagements contribute to earnings. This transparency helps creators understand the direct impact of viewer interactions on their income.
Different Payment Processes
Users can optimize the payment and revenue distribution processes to distribute their payments however they wish.
Enhanced Content Discovery
Zesha provides a browser extension (and in the future, a mobile app). After installation of the chrome extension, the extension recommends videos based on the user’s interests and frequency preferences. Each recommendation contains a list of videos, which they can choose to watch either in full mode, which opens the video on a new page, or in distraction-free mode, which overlays the video player in a floating window. At the same time, they continue their work in other tabs.
Dashboard
Users can upload new videos and view videos uploaded, edit, delete etc. They are also provided clear and transparent compensation models that detail how different types of engagements contribute to earnings. This transparency helps creators understand the direct impact of viewer interactions on their income.
Videos
Videos can be watched either in full view or as small screen view
Different Payment Processes
Users can optimize the payment and revenue distribution processes to distribute their payments however they wish.
Usability testing
These were the feedback from the two type of users on the platform
They were both quite happy with the result of the platform.
Learnings and Reflections
These were the feedback from the two type of users on the platform
- Throughout the design process for Zesha, I learned that prioritizing user needs and preferences is paramount. Understanding the motivations, challenges, and aspirations of both content creators and viewers guided every design decision.
- User-centric design ensures that the platform not only meets functional requirements but also delivers an enjoyable and intuitive experience for its diverse user base.
- Striking a balance between leveraging the benefits of blockchain for transparency and security while ensuring a simple and user-friendly interface was a significant challenge.
- I learnt the importance of iterative prototyping. It became became evident as we refined Zesha's interface. Regularly testing and iterating on prototypes allowed us to gather valuable feedback from potential users, identify pain points, and make necessary adjustments.
Overall, these learnings underscore the dynamic nature of designing for a platform that aims to revolutionize the content creation landscape. Making an effort to improve an area of the experience is usually great, even though my suggestions might not be able to address every facet of the problem.
