The Concept
The Concept
The idea for LOOK™ was born in mid-2023, initially conceived as a simple streaming platform functioning primarily as a web app. Over time, I endeavored to enhance and differentiate my concept from existing streaming services. A pivotal moment occurred when I realized that major platforms like Netflix, MAX, Prime Video, and Disney+ lacked VR libraries. This insight steered LOOK™ in a new, clearer direction. As streaming continues to evolve and potentially replace traditional cinema, technologies like VR, AR, and AI are emerging as the future of media consumption. Polish metaverse expert and innovation advocate Andrzej Horoch suggests that the Metaverse could soon transform the current internet landscape, a sentiment echoed by Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to rebrand his company as Meta.
The Research
The initial phase of my research entailed an exhaustive exploration of various subscription models from all the major streaming platforms, including Netflix, MAX, Prime Video, Paramount Plus, Peacock, and Disney+. This journey helped distill the best and worst aspects of each service. I also engaged in discussions with users of these platforms, who represent the target demographic for LOOK™. Key insights emerged, emphasizing the importance of easy onboarding, clear subscription plan presentation, and seamless payment processes—elements critical to user satisfaction yet delicate in execution.
In presenting the library, one recurring theme I observed was the constant repetition of user-oriented recommendations. For instance, Netflix frequently repeats personalized show suggestions on their homepage, and Prime Video incessantly highlights trending content, sometimes mentioning it up to seven times on a single page (examples are highlighted in the bullet points below). While essential from both the user’s and business perspectives, such approaches can showcase a platform’s extensive library but may also slightly overwhelm the user. For LOOK™, I chose to prioritize clarity and minimalism. I refined these sections to simply „You may like” for personalized recommendations and „Trending” for the most popular shows at the moment. This streamlined approach enhances user experience by making navigation and decision-making more straightforward and less cluttered.
Netflix’s „recommended” sections:
- These titles might interest you
- Newest recommendations for you
- Selected for you
- Downloaded for you
- Gems for you
Prime Video’s „trending” sections:
- Currently trending
- Top 10 most popular in your country
- Most popular movies
- OUTtv’s most popular
- Most popular series
- Most popular by service
- Most popular by studio
The latter phase of my research focused on developing an exclusive VR360 library for LOOK™, featuring content unparalleled by the leading streaming giants. While the bulk of LOOK™’s offerings include typical streaming fare such as feature movies and popular TV series, the VR360 content was personally curated by me, reflecting my passion for virtual reality. As a frequent visitor to VR gaming spots within my city, I’ve drawn inspiration from the most memorable experiences encountered, such as plunging into oceanic abysses, encountering dinosaurs, traversing the cosmos, and soaring above skyscrapers. Additionally, insights gleaned from a novel dedicated to VR/AR/AI technologies further broadened my understanding of virtual reality’s potential applications. This knowledge informed the inclusion of immersive experiences like attending live music concerts and sports events within LOOK™’s VR offerings, aiming to captivate and engage the target audience. These elements were meticulously integrated into LOOK™’s library, ensuring a unique and compelling user experience.
The Brand
The app’s name, LOOK™, not only evokes our sense of sight but also serves as a call to attention. From a branding perspective, it offers versatility, allowing for the creation of various slogans and catchphrases such as „LOOKverse” or „LOOK at (…)!” The logo for LOOK™ was crafted to embody one or more of the following concepts: streaming, the metaverse, or virtual reality goggles. I opted for the latter, as it was the most visually straightforward representation. Incorporating the goggles symbol into the logotype necessitated a suitably bold font with perfectly rounded „O” letters. The Newake font met both requirements admirably.
The Colors
Purple color is often associated with royalty and luxury, yet its meanings can vary widely, from a nostalgic, 80’s-like vibe to a futuristic and modern aesthetic. It conjures images of dreams, magic, and mysticism. LOOK™ embodies both the past and the future, merging the real and virtual worlds seamlessly. Given this blend, I chose a vivid purple that fades into darker shades for the primary gradient, as it perfectly captures the essence of LOOK™. Complementing this is cyanidae blue, which serves as the secondary color, enhancing the design’s depth. For each show’s infocards, I implemented personalized gradients that draw the dominant color from the show’s poster, reminiscent of how Spotify displays album artwork and background during playback.
The Fonts
Lato, crafted by Polish designer Łukasz Dziedzic, exemplifies a font that balances ornamental touches with simplicity and legibility. I appreciate fonts that offer a subtle flair with specific letters or letter combinations, yet remain straightforward and easily readable. Lato achieves this with elegance, particularly notable in how the letters „f” & „i” seamlessly merge when placed adjacently. Looking for something even more distinctive? Lato also garners additional appeal as its name translates to „summer” in Polish.