Iterating on a feature from concept to launch

Google Duo wanted to create a new video calling feature.

The team enlisted my skills to inform direction from low to high fidelity prototypes.

Duo video voicemail feature

Background & Goals

Google Duo wanted to conduct iterative studies on a video calling concept.

The objective was to evaluate critical user scenarios, gather impressions, and compare baseline results with multiple designs in a 5 part study series.

Team

• 1 Product Manager

• 2 UX Designers

My Role

• Lead researcher

Timeline

• Mar 2017 - Nov 2018

Location

• Seattle, WA

Approach

Defining the protocol

I met with lead designers and product manager to pinpoint successful UX outcomes for the feature. The outcomes were used as a guiding rubric to measure a baseline for each iteration.

It was decided to break out studies in a 5 part series, iterating after each session. Each study session had a purpose in testing relevant phases:

The beginning stages involved lower fidelity to test in front of users to gather data. By the 4th and 5th rounds, the study materials were more refined and a working build had come out of the sessions.

Gathering data:

I conducted interviews with a minimum of 5 users per study meeting Jacob Nielsen's standards for usability testing. Each session was conducted with users around the U.S either through a remote session or in person.

Each participant ran through a series of user journeys, where users were given tasks around receiving a message, sending a message, saving or deleting a message.

In addition, I used a list of reaction words to elicit impressions and had users draw out how their ideal video feature.

Outcome

The Duo team used the research to create iterative changes in the video recording feature.

Using the UX outcome rubric, reaction words, and sketches; the designers were able to launch the app. The video message feature on Duo successfully launched in March 2018.