I led the design of sequin.app from its inception, taking it from ground zero to a fully realized product. Sequin.app is a B2B SaaS tool designed to streamline and enhance collaboration within the virtual production and broadcast pipeline, enabling creatives to save time and work together more effectively, even if they lack technical expertise.
Role: Lead Designer & Art Director
Duration: Oct 2020 - August 2021
Awards: EpicGames MegaGrant
Industry: Web3, Video games, Virtual Production, Broadcast media
Collaborating on Unreal Engine projects and reviewing content can be challenging for non-designers or individuals without prior knowledge of the software and the profession; this can result in miscommunication, project delays, and mistakes during production. Moreover, sharing large files and complex 3D assets can be a logistical challenge, especially when collaborating with remote teams or stakeholders.
We identified pain points in the standard virtual production creative process through close collaboration with virtual production experts, the engineering team, and potential users. By gaining a deep understanding of the technology present today, we were able to develop solutions that were both effective and easily translatable for a non-technical audience. Ultimately, we simplified the production process and improved the overall workflow. We removed the need for required software and hardware. We enabled people to collaborate in the cloud no matter their technical skill level.
Unreal Engine's high complexity demands a substantial investment of time and effort to fully grasp its intricate features and scripting languages.
Typically, stakeholders face difficulties when trying to review and engage with highly immersive interactions, as it often necessitates technical expertise. This creates a hurdle in the creative process.
To ensure smooth operation of Unreal Engine, a powerful computer with a robust graphics card and sufficient memory is often necessary, which can entail a substantial cost.
The perception of a lack of collaboration in Unreal Engine may result from its complexity, resource demands, and the need for effective project management and communication within development teams.
Success Metrics
Collaborate with your team and present to prospects in Unreal Engine to win more deals, faster.
Review and receive feedback all in one place, bringing all stakeholders into the process.
Enable creatives to collaborate in the cloud without requiring in-depth technical Unreal Engine expertise.
Streamline the iterative process, including all parties in Unreal Engine from the beginning.
Unreal Engine boasts millions of global users, while more than a thousand companies integrate it into their creative and production workflows. However, not everyone in the pipeline possesses technical skills, leading to challenging collaboration between 3D designers, engineers and non-technical team members.
With Sequin.app we have simplified collaboration, even for non-technical team members like myself. The intuitive design and powerful features make it a must-have tool in our workflow.
Sequin.app has sped up our production projects. Its efficient tools and collaboration features help us work together smoothly, making it a vital part of our fast-paced workflow.
We were to create a web application that is consistent with Sequin's brand identity, adaptable for future enhancements, and capable of incorporating new features. At Sequin, we developed the application's design system and framework. I ensured that the user flow and UI design remained up-to-date, accommodating scalability and anticipating upcoming features and functionalities. Throughout the process, it was crucial to maintain a system that is user-friendly, intuitive, and scalable, making it easy for users to understand and use.
To prioritize efficiency and value, I collaborated with engineering, research, and product management to plan our MVP release. We decided to address two key workflows: virtual production project management and a 3D editor equipped with scene transformation tools, timecode functionality, and preset capabilities.
We've meticulously designed a comprehensive design system that encompasses a diverse range of UI components, tailored specifically for our Virtual Production 3D tool and Scene/Project Management platform. All thoughtfully designed to elevate the user experience. Each element has been carefully considered and integrated into our existing UI kit, ensuring a seamless and harmonious design language across the entire platform.
Clear calls to action and intuitive navigation encourage exploration, keeping users motivated and immersed. This interactivity boosts satisfaction, dwell times, and conversions.
Predictable interaction patterns make it easier for users to understand the interface. This uniformity not only enhances usability but also strengthens the brand identity.
Content and features align with user interests, making the interface more meaningful. This focus not only boosts interaction but also deepens the user-brand connection. Every touchpoint is purposeful and valuable.
We kickstarted our design process with the dashboard to expedite development. Working closely with the engineering team, we effectively incorporated new patterns, resulting in the creation of the dashboard, now serving as the entry point to the 3D editor.
We designed and planned Sequin.app to facilitate seamless collaboration in production. Users can be drivers or viewers, with session recording available. Our features include scene-specific comments, Storyboarding for early phases, timecode support for broadcast projects, and a trigger preset system for real-time animations from Unreal Engine.
The full product features represent a new level of innovation, and user-centric design. We've leveraged cutting-edge technologies like Pixel streaming and WebGL, intuitive interfaces, and seamless integrations to create a product that empowers and inspires.
Some of these features are: Presets. Sequences. Actor list. Action history. Storyboarding. Timecode. Camera views. Direct chat, video and voice communication. Immersive annotation systems. Live editor: move, scale and rotate in scene. Screen recording and screenshots. Document notifications. Product onboarding. File management. Scene management. Publish, draft and preview scenes. Team management.
Change elements and trigger presets. The system is the connection to trigger Unreal Engine scene content
Move, scale, and rotate. Transform objects in your scene allowing you to iterate faster on final placement
Replay, resolve and comment contextually. Leave comments, annotations or any type of suggestions with attachments right on your scenes
Hand off control to any user on any device to interact with the scene simultaneously using Pixel Streaming technology
I created handoff documents to my team providing details for every screen that requires context and organized them into flows to streamline their understanding. I also worked closely with them to make sure they understand the details throughout the process.
Optimize Sequin.app's high-level workflows to enhance the efficiency of virtual production professionals, enabling faster work and time savings when reviewing content.
I proactively designed high-level screens to facilitate and expedite discussions related to virtual production creative processes and methods.
In future releases, we plan to incorporate more genuine AR features and expand capabilities such as text and audio-based notation.
One major benefit of the companion app is the flexibility it offers, allowing users to use a convenient virtual camera from various devices, rather than being limited an iPad or desktop.
Democratizing Unreal Engine is crucial to enhancing accessibility and inclusivity for a broader spectrum of creators in virtual production, game development, and other related projects. This technology's democratization empowers individual creators and fosters the growth and diversity of the gaming and virtual production industry. As we move forward, we anticipate a future where all aspiring developers and their teams have access to the tools and resources to bring their ideas to life.