Netflix: Adding a Feature

Project Overview

Role

UI/UX Designer

Team

Individual project mentored by Carolina de Bartolo

Timeline

4 weeks, November 2024

Tools Used

Figma, Figjam, Gemini, Chat GPT, Google Meets

Note

The purpose of this exercise is to add a feature to an existing service. For my project, I added a search feature to Netflix that enables users to browse streaming content by mood.

The Context

Problem

With so many streaming options, users can spend as much time looking for a movie as they do watching one. This can feel overwhelming and frustrating for people who want to jump straight into viewing content.

Solution

What users need is an intuitive and effective way to find the right movie for whatever mood they’re in. This will help them shorten the time between searching for content and enjoying it.

Project Goal

I want to produce a streamlined and satisfying experience for users. Searching by mood ideally creates a favorable atmosphere for users or amplifies the mood that they’re in.

Netflix Feature User Persona

Defining User Needs

User Interviews

I interviewed 5 people who frequently stream content across a wide variety of platforms. Their input guided us towards pain points and areas of opportunity.

User Interview Results

  1. Incorporate mood-based content cards

  1. Introduce fun and quirky categories (ex: cozy night with movies that feel like home)

  1. Enable search for specific criteria (ex: comedy movies that lift my mood)

  1. AI-generated key summaries and content tags

  1. More accurate, personalized recommendations

Netflix Feature Lo-Fi Wireframe

User Feedback

Revising and Iterating

Based off direct user feedback, this is what I changed about the Netflix prototype:

  • updating emoji pictures

  • changing movies popcorn pic

  • adding scroll option

  • adding back button

  • adjusting gradient

  • even black background for the search categories

  • change Moods picture to little emojis

  • browsing hierarchy

  • “New” feature banners for moods

  • Recommended for you closer to the top

  • add a way to get back to home screen

  • add screens for more movies

Netflix Feature Revision Mapping

Netflix Hi-Fi Wireframe Screenshots

Key Takeaways

Reflection

Working on the mood-based search feature for Netflix was a deep dive into understanding how people choose what to watch. It made me think about decision fatigue and how offering a more intuitive way to browse could make searching feel less overwhelming.

Finding the right balance between giving users enough options without making things cluttered was a fun challenge.

Future Notes

One thing I want to focus on moving forward is sharpening the connection between design choices and user emotions.

For this project, I spent a lot of time refining the interface, but I realized that understanding why people pick certain moods or what they expect from a “feel-good” category could have led to even more tailored design solutions.

Each project keeps stretching the way I think, and I look forward to carrying these lessons into the next one!

Netflix Feature Prototype

Let’s problem solve together!

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