Series Pages: Looping Video Backgrounds
As a launch partner with Apple, we adapted our HBO NOW user experience for tvOS. I also proposed and explored additional product differentiators that leveraged some of the new functionality of the device.
To leverage the higher performance of the new device, and showcase some of the unique tone and associated with HBO’s series, I worked on integrating looping video backgrounds into the experience. Made from actual production footage and unit photography, I created seamless loops for each Game of Thrones season that would add subtle personality to these pages without distracting from the UI, and without affecting performance and load times .
The implementation was successful and was shown as part of the Product Demo at Apple’s 2015 Keynote. However, the feature was ultimately de-scoped due to tight timelines before launch to consumers.
Parallax Focus Tiles: Image Production
Part of the new tvOS design language was the introduction of a new layered image format (LCR) that showed gesture-controlled parallax motion on focus when using the new remote control. The effect produces the perception of depth and drama, which aligned perfectly with HBO’s own original programming. Choosing to go beyond the requirment of supplying a feed of LCR images for the iTunes Store; we leveraged the same focus behavior for series tiles within the HBO NOW tvOS app.
I led a team of Photo Retouchers to create layered key art for every series in the HBO catalog. I also created a streamlined batch automation process to help reduce production time for the Image Production team to ensure we met our launch date.
Initial LCR image production and ingestion process