Video Localisation (LocAI)
Case study - 2023
Empowering Global Communication through LocAI
Role
UX Designer
Scope
Jan 2023 - Feb 2024
Tools
Figma, Balsamiq
Translating media is a problem, especially for languages with limited resources. Manually the process is expensive, time-consuming and does not always give promising results.
A simple web-based application that will allow users to upload a video and translate in 80+ languages. The goal is to drastically cut the turnaround time while translating videos with the highest level of accuracy.
Competitive Analysis
A comprehensive competitive analysis was my next step. By studying the market and existing technologies, I gained a clearer picture of the competitive landscape. This allowed me to identify gaps, opportunities, and potential pitfalls. It served as a foundation for strategic decision-making.
User Personas
Developing user personas was instrumental in understanding our target audience. These personas helped us empathize with our users, putting a face to their needs, behaviors, and motivations. This informed our design choices, ensuring that Voice AI would resonate with its intended users.
Project Timeline
LocAI, initially named Video Localization, embarked on a journey in December of the previous year with a vision to create a user-friendly platform for efficient and multilingual video localization. The core features included language selection, voice profile customization, translation language options, and overdubbing capabilities. This case study documents the evolution of LocAI from its inception to meeting the unique needs of ABS (CBN) Philippines.
Phase 1: Foundation and Wireframing
Project Initiation:
In the initial phase, the project laid its foundation, beginning in December and extending into January. The primary goal was to establish the groundwork for a comprehensive video localization platform.
Lo-Fi and Hi-Fi Wireframes:
Lo-fi and hi-fi wireframes were crafted meticulously to align with the project's original goals. These wireframes served as blueprints, mapping out the structure and functionality of the platform, focusing on language selection, voice profiles, translation languages, file uploading, and overdubbing facilities.
Alignment with Original Goals:
The wireframes were designed to be in harmony with the initial project objectives. Language selection, voice profiles, and translation languages formed essential components, ensuring the platform's versatility in catering to diverse user needs.
Phase 2: Data Generation and Iterative Enhancements
Intern-Driven Data Generation:
Interns played a vital role in transcribing over 10,000 hours of multilingual videos, providing the crucial data needed to train our AI models. This extensive dataset became the foundation for the platform's evolving capabilities.
User Feedback as a Catalyst:
The interns' feedback emerged as a driving force for substantial design changes. Their real-world insights became a compass, guiding the platform's evolution to better accommodate user needs and improve overall usability.
Ergonomic Design Adjustments:
To enhance user comfort, the platform underwent ergonomic design adjustments. Introducing a dark navigation theme aimed at reducing eye strain, the integration of shortcuts for improved efficiency, and the inclusion of alerts for better communication all contributed to a more user-friendly experience.
Segment Management Innovations:
The introduction of features like adding and merging two segments provided users with more control and flexibility in managing their content. These innovations were a direct response to user feedback, ensuring the platform aligned seamlessly with user workflows.
Phase 3: Market Engagement and Client Collaboration
Client-Centric Iterations:
Direct market engagement informed key iterations, aligning LocAI with real-world client demands.
Team Management Integration:
Responding to market needs, team management features were seamlessly integrated for efficient project coordination.
Roles, Jobs, and Deadlines:
Granular control introduced through roles, job assignments, and deadlines enhanced project organization and efficiency.
Iterative Adaptability:
Market-driven iterations ensured LocAI's agility, responsiveness, and alignment with practical use cases.
Phase 4: Simplifying LOCAI
In our last project phase, working closely with ABS (CBN), we aimed to make LOCAI super easy for everyone, especially for those who aren't tech-savvy. Based on their valuable feedback, we made some big improvements.
Making Things Look Good:
We focused on making subtitles not just informative but visually appealing. Users can now add styling to their subtitles, follow guidelines to display them perfectly on videos, and even include watermarks to protect their content. Additionally, the flexibility, to add comments facilitate easy communication within the team.
One-Stop Solution - Introducing Projects:
To simplify the user experience, we merged subtitle generation and translation into a unified service called "Projects." It's like an all-in-one package where users can manage everything related to their videos in a single, cohesive space. This change streamlines tasks and eliminates unnecessary complexity.
Understanding How Well Things Are Going:
We implemented a detailed analysis system providing valuable insights into the organization's performance. Users can now access reports on each team member's contributions, the time saved using our AI features, and the overall accuracy of the work. This information empowers users to assess and enhance their workflow efficiency.
Key Learnings
User-Centric Evolution:
Iterative feedback loops with interns and ABS (CBN) Philippines highlighted the paramount importance of user input. Adapting the platform based on real-world user experiences led to significant improvements, demonstrating the value of continuous user engagement in UX design.
Simplicity Drives Adoption:
The collaboration with ABS (CBN) Philippines emphasized the significance of simplicity, especially for users with varying skill levels. Simplifying the platform's features and introducing intuitive design elements not only addressed specific client needs but also made LOCAI more accessible to a broader audience.
Agility Through Iterations:
The project showcased the power of iterative design. Each phase, informed by user feedback, market demands, and client collaborations, allowed for agile adjustments. This iterative approach ensured that the platform stayed responsive to evolving requirements, fostering a culture of adaptability in UX design.
Data-Driven Decision Making:
The use of data from intern-driven transcriptions and in-depth analysis tools for ABS (CBN) underscored the importance of data-driven decision-making. Insights derived from user interactions, time-saving metrics, and accuracy reports played a crucial role in refining the platform's functionality and enhancing the overall user experience.