1. The Brief
Samsung already had a custom magazine called Vision for the past three years. Although, they wanted the magazine to be available online via a mobile app. In fact, I had already designed the printed magazine, so I understood what Vision magazine’s target audience was and what the magazine was capable of as well as accomplish. Vision was Samsung’s way to communicate the latest Samsung products through a lifestyle magazine format.
2. Our proposition
The challenge for us was to be able to replicate what we had worked on successfully, but converting that into a mobile app. We had to research which magazines successfully were able to crossover from print to mobile app. We knew the content was the main ‘driver’ of the project. As an annually-printed magazine, we obviously were restricted by having one print run compared to a mobile app digital update. A mobile app could either be updated with content or add stories to the magazine and send it as an push update within the app. The enriching web content was important to add. Some of those elements added were the animations and videos to demonstrate Samsung products, but also included interactive, TV-matching guides, and how-to video animations.
3. Personas
We already had great research about the readers from surveys conducted during the release of the last Samsung Vision. We usually sent questionnaires to readers or the Samsung customers about what they were looking to buy in the next 12 months or what type of home entertainment system they would like to have. In addition, we spoke to some Samsung product managers and retail staff to find out what customers were looking for while also seeing how much they knew about new technology and its products in the industry. Such various TV technologies in the industry are different types of TV products, such as online streaming services such as Netfiix and Stan.
4. Sketches
Since we had worked on the previous Samsung Vision, we knew the type of content we were working with, but we were able to add a whole new dimension to our content. So, when creating our initial designs, we took the base of what we had from the magazine and redesigned it with the pure intention of knowing this was going to be viewed on a mobile device. Also, adding videos was a great way to extend the content while adding animations and music helped in telling compelling stories.
5. Final stage
We had an in-house app development team, and I, work closely with the production of this particular app. I worked with fellow designers, editors, writers and programmers to produce 4 titles per year for Samsung Vision. This allowed us to align certain magazines to events (i.e. the AFL/NRL Grand Final and film releases). But, we were able to create new content for new products that were released later in the year. Samsung Vision was available on mobile and tablet devices, and was available on both Google Play and the App Store.
