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I was the lead UX designer for the YouTube Kids app, responsible for taking on the most nebulous problems while delivering strong visions for the team, and taking them to launch. I led teams of designers (motion and visual) and engineers to build UI & UX experiences for mobile. Iterating and improving app usability for younger and older kids.
The new voice search on YouTube Kids empower kids with an easier and more playful experience. Through incorporating delightful elements, we turn mistakes into fun moments, making kids’ early search experience more enjoyable.
The updated UX conveys a story: YouTube is an ocean of content and search is exploring the content within. To convey the story, we will have a blue background representing the ocean. As well as a cat, named Hunter, that goes to find what the user is looking for. When the user is performing voice-search, waves are created by the sound of the voice. When we have successful search with results, Hunter pulls in the videos in the results screen. When we come across an error, like no videos, then Hunter gets lost in the deep sea. If Hunter couldn’t hear properly, he’ll pull his ears closer to the screen, inviting the user to say it again.
The goal of this project is to design, execute, and launch innovative features that inspire and encourage kids to explore new interests through YouTube Kids. This falls under YouTube Kid’s mission of providing a fun, age appropriate and enriching experience for kids and families on YouTube Kids and YouTube.
I was the UX design lead with the role of turning an abstract team goal of developing innovative features for kids, into clear and high value product opportunities that would drive kids innovation, which as a result was prioritized onto YouTube Kid’s Product OKR. Digging deep into understanding our users, we are able to push things that are deceptively simple that span the range of our user group.
Initiated cross-functional efforts to engage and prioritize their efforts on this opportunity, as well as understanding potential constraints, which ultimately narrowed the product definition.
Content discovery is a highly challenging user problem for not only YouTube, but for any content orientated product. Designing for a young audience already presents a lot of challenges as they’re often still developing core skill sets that allow them to navigate digital experiences. Our lead researcher and I developed core principles that enabled us to effectively navigate the space.
What we ended up with was a fun, simple, and inviting way for young users to discover new interests and learn new things through YouTube Kids.
