Redesign of Streaming Apps for Single Course Purchasers

Client

The Great Courses

Project Type

Mobile, Tablet & OTT App

Role

Branding

Design System Creation

Creative Direction

Custom Iconography

Journey Maps

Personas

Prototypes

User Research

User Testing

UX/UI Design

Wireframes

Tools

Adobe CC

Axure RP

Glassbox

Figma

Optimal

Playbook UX

Usertesting.com

Challenge

The Great Courses app was designed for users to access their purchased courses across tablets, mobile phones and OTT platforms such as Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku and Chromecast enabled devices. The mobile apps were experiencing significant usability challenges and the OTT apps were nonexistent. The mobile app's outdated interface made navigation cumbersome, leading to frequent user complaints about sign-in processes, media library management, playback issues, and difficulty in course discovery. The goal was to enhance the user experience to boost engagement and satisfaction and attract new lifelong learners. To achieve this, we undertook comprehensive user testing, conducted surveys, gathered ratings and customer feedback, and introduced methods like guerrilla testing and contextual inquiries, which were previously unexplored by TGC. These efforts aimed to pinpoint areas for improvement and guide our redesign process well before any coding began.

Results

Through meticulous redesign processes and a user-centered approach, the revamped Great Courses mobile and OTT apps successfully addressed previous deficiencies and introduced a plethora of new and enhanced features, considerably enhancing user satisfaction and engagement while attracting tens of thousands of new customers. This case study exemplifies the transformative power of thoughtful design and rigorous user testing in app redesigns and development.

85%

Increased Course Consumption

Increased Course Consumption

79%

Increase in content discovery

Increase in content discovery

92%

Course completion after launch

Process

Research & Analysis: To understand the needs, preferences, and pain points of current users we analyzed existing ratings and feedback, conducted several surveys and interviews with existing users, gathering valuable feedback regarding their current app experience.

User personas representing key audience segments such as professionals, students, and hobbyists were developed.

App usage data was recorded and analyzed, revealing popular features and identifying areas in need of improvement.

Competitive Analysis: To identify industry trends and best practices a detailed review of popular educational and streaming apps was performed, yielding insights into their design and feature sets.

Distinguishing features were identified and considered for adaptation and integration into the app.

Defining Redesign Objectives: To establish clear redesign goals several key performance indicators (KPIs) such as increased user retention and engagement metrics were defined.

Features were prioritized based upon business objectives, stakeholder requirements, user feedback and competitive insights.

Wireframing & Prototyping: Wireframes of main screens emphasizing user flow and intuitiveness were produced using advanced design tools such as Adobe CC, Figma and Axure.

Interactive prototypes were developed, allowing the visualization and testing of user interactions, ensuring accessibility and ease of navigation.

Usability Testing: To validate design choices we conducted vigorous user testing to observe user interactions prior to committing to a single line of code.

Usability testing sessions with robust prototypes were conducted, gathering essential feedback for iterative refinements.

User feedback helped identify pivot points and resolve any remaining usability issues.

Development & Integration: Meticulous documentation and successful collaboration with developers brought the final app version to life, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility.

Features such as offline streaming, bookmarking, enhanced digital library, overhauled search and personalized recommendations were integrated seamlessly.

Launch and Marketing: A phased rollout was planned, allowing for feedback collection and further refinements to introduce the redesigned app to The Great Courses user base.

A strategic marketing campaign and refreshed app store assets highlighted new features and improved user experiences, attracting a wider audience.

Post-Launch Evaluation: To assess redesign success and continue improvements, user engagement and feedback were monitored, confirming the redesign's positive impact.

The app was regularly updated based on business goals, ongoing user feedback and technological advancements resulting in a significant increase in App Ratings raising from 2 to nearly 5 stars in a few short months.

Key Take Aways

Enhaced User Experience: The app's improved navigation and interface provided a more intuitive and user-friendly experience.

Increated Engagement: The introduction of new features and personalized content recommendations led to higher engagement rates and reduced churn.

Accessible Learnning: Inclusive design enhancements improved app accessibility, reaching a broader audience with diverse learning needs.

Positive Feedback: User satisfaction and positive reviews increased from barely 2-Stars to nearly 5-Stars, enhancing the app’s reputation and resulting in higher download rates.

Through these efforts, the redesign of The Great Course app successfully supported our lifelong learning customer base, while establishing it as an essential tool for new lifelong learners worldwide.

Mobile App Design Samples

Mobile App Design Samples

During this redesign, we created hundreds of wireframes, components, widgets, tokens, and page designs. Below is just a small selection of the overall project—please contact me should you want to view additional design samples.

Splash Screen & Sign In

Splash Screen & Sign In

The previous mobile sign-in screen presented several challenges: it featured non-standard, unintuitive input fields, offered no option to view your password as you typed, and prevented users without an existing account from exploring free content or getting started with the app. With the new redesign, we addressed all of these issues—implementing standard, user-friendly input boxes, adding the ability to show or hide your password, and providing clear pathways for new users to get started or browse the app. Additionally, we introduced a QR code sign-in option for OTT devices like Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV, making it far easier for users to log in without the hassle of entering text using a remote.

The previous mobile sign-in screen presented several challenges: it featured non-standard, unintuitive input fields, offered no option to view your password as you typed, and prevented users without an existing account from exploring free content or getting started with the app. With the new redesign, we addressed all of these issues—implementing standard, user-friendly input boxes, adding the ability to show or hide your password, and providing clear pathways for new users to get started or browse the app. Additionally, we introduced a QR code sign-in option for OTT devices like Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV, making it far easier for users to log in without the hassle of entering text using a remote.

Digital Library

Digital Library

The My Library section of the app(s) provided customers with flexible access to their purchased courses, accommodating a wide range of needs. While some users own just a handful of courses, others—including notable individuals such as Bill Gates, George Lucas, Aaron Rodgers, and more—have built extensive collections numbering in the hundreds. To cater to all types of users, we implemented conditional logic that delivers a personalized UX/UI experience tailored to the size of each customer’s library.

The My Library section of the app(s) provided customers with flexible access to their purchased courses, accommodating a wide range of needs. While some users own just a handful of courses, others—including notable individuals such as Bill Gates, George Lucas, Aaron Rodgers, and more—have built extensive collections numbering in the hundreds. To cater to all types of users, we implemented conditional logic that delivers a personalized UX/UI experience tailored to the size of each customer’s library.

Media Player

Media Player

As customers' libraries expanded, extensive testing and feedback highlighted the increasing necessity for search and archiving capabilities. To assist users in finding and accessing their content, categorical and suggestive search features were introduced.

As customers' libraries expanded, extensive testing and feedback highlighted the increasing necessity for search and archiving capabilities. To assist users in finding and accessing their content, categorical and suggestive search features were introduced.

Search

Search

As customers' libraries expanded, extensive testing and feedback highlighted the increasing necessity for search and archiving capabilities. To assist users in finding and accessing their content, categorical and suggestive search features were introduced.

As customers' libraries expanded, extensive testing and feedback highlighted the increasing necessity for search and archiving capabilities. To assist users in finding and accessing their content, categorical and suggestive search features were introduced.

Design Sytem

Responsive Grid System

Responsive Grid System

Our grid system features seven breakpoints, serving as the foundation for all our digital designs—from large-screen OTT apps and responsive websites, down to tablet and mobile web and app layouts in both portrait and landscape orientations. Below are examples of three breakpoints as well as a small cross section of the overall design system.

Text Scale & Text Style Samples
Icon Definitions
Button Definitions
Radio Buttons & Checkboxes
Inputs & Droplists
Tooltips & Popovers
Spacing Scale
Card Elevations
Button Definitions

As the Senior Director of Product, I’m delighted to announce the success of our newly redesigned mobile, tablet, and OTT apps for The Great Courses. Our commitment to delivering the joy of lifelong learning has never been stronger, and these upgrades enable customers to access their purchased educational content seamlessly—anytime, anywhere. Whether at the gym, commuting, relaxing at home, or traveling, users can now enjoy their courses across mobile devices, tablets, OTT platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV, as well as Chromecast-enabled smart TVs. 

With a new subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service on the horizon, we’ve ensured this experience is accessible and intuitive for every learner through rigorous testing, research, and continuous feedback. Our focus on easy navigation and uninterrupted learning means all your courses are instantly at your fingertips, wherever you choose to learn. 

This achievement would not have been possible without the outstanding leadership and vision of our UX/UI Lead, Darren Kurre.

As the Senior Director of Product, I’m delighted to announce the success of our newly redesigned mobile, tablet, and OTT apps for The Great Courses. Our commitment to delivering the joy of lifelong learning has never been stronger, and these upgrades enable customers to access their purchased educational content seamlessly—anytime, anywhere. Whether at the gym, commuting, relaxing at home, or traveling, users can now enjoy their courses across mobile devices, tablets, OTT platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV, as well as Chromecast-enabled smart TVs. 

With a new subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service on the horizon, we’ve ensured this experience is accessible and intuitive for every learner through rigorous testing, research, and continuous feedback. Our focus on easy navigation and uninterrupted learning means all your courses are instantly at your fingertips, wherever you choose to learn. 

This achievement would not have been possible without the outstanding leadership and vision of our UX/UI Lead, Darren Kurre.

Chris Ward

Senior Director of Product

Senior Director of Product
The Great Courses

Conclusion

Conclusion

Through meticulous redesign processes and a user-centered approach, the revamped Great Courses mobile and OTT apps successfully addressed previous deficiencies and introduced a plethora of new and enhanced features, considerably enhancing user satisfaction and engagement while attracting tens of thousands of new customers. This case study exemplifies the transformative power of thoughtful user centered, rigorous testing and research in app redesigns and development.

More Samples Available…

I am in the process of redesigning this site, and there is a lot more I can add here, but thought it was far enough along to release into the wild. Check back soon or drop me a line for more.

LAST PROJECT

NEXT PROJECT