Case Study
Screenkey

Encrypted screenings with flexible collaboration tools, accessible on any device, anywhere.

Role
Senior Product Designer
Timeline
5 Months, 2025-2026
Scope
Concept → MVP
Platform
Web, Mobile, TV
Experience
5+ Years
01 / Overview

Encrypted Screenings, Flexible Tools.

ScreenKey is a secure screening platform that bridges the gap between production and distribution — giving teams encrypted screenings with flexible collaboration tools, accessible on any device.

Figma & Figma Make FigJam Miro AI Research Confluence
Industry Entertainment / Film Tech
Platform iOS & Android Mobile, Web, TV
Stage Concept → Architecture → MVP
Model 2-Sided Marketplace
Deliverables Research · IA · Hi-Fi Design
02 / The Problem

Teams Are Losing Context At The Workflow Cliff.

Context Lost 01

Switching platforms mid-lifecycle destroys metadata and organizational structure built in production.

One-Size UX Fails 02

Tools that work for producers overwhelm critics. Tools for viewers lack depth for serious cinephiles.

Permission Gaps 03

Binary access models don't reflect real industry roles. Teams need role-based, time-limited permissions.

Feedback Fragmentation 04

Review notes scatter across email, Slack, and spreadsheets. Nothing ties back to specific timecodes.

03 / Research Process

Early Brainstorm & Discovery

12 deep-dive industry interviews and competitive analysis of 5 legacy platforms revealed a universal pattern.

01
Deep-Dive Interviews
Industry sessions with producers, press and post-production teams.
02
Platform Analysis
Competitive analysis: Frame.io, Indee., Vimeo, Aspera, Screening Room.
03
Persona Identification
Distinct mental models: Admin (hierarchical) and Viewer (curated).
04
Architecture → Validation
Information architecture, hi-fi prototyping, usability testing.
Maya Patel - Project Manager Jordan Kim - Reviewer
04 / Ecosystem & Users

Dual-System Architecture

ADMIN
Producers / Operations
Hierarchical — like Google Drive
3-Tier nested folder structure
Permission-level controls
Real-time status + feedback loops
Asset version management
UX RISK
Confusing invite flow causes ~30% drop-off. Use clear steps + progress indicator.
TRUST SIGNAL
Show admin name, org & logo. Builds reviewer confidence before joining.
Admin Flow
REVIEWER
Collaborators / Stakeholders
Curated — like Netflix / OTT
Context-First Hub layout
Cinema-first experience
No technical noise
Role-aware persistent navigation
ENGAGEMENT
Onboarding tutorial. No dead-end states after join.
TRUST SIGNAL
Always show who invited you, what project, why.
Reviewer Flow
05 / Competitor Analysis

Admin vs User Structures

How competing platforms separate admin control from end-user experience — and where the gaps live.

Key Insight

Every competitor either exposes full project structure (Frame.io) or completely hides it (Indee, Vision Media, CineSend, Screeners.com). None offer a middle ground — selective transparency that gives users context without complexity.

Platform Admin View User View Orientation
Frame.io
Production-Centric
Workspace → Projects → Folders → Files; role-based perms; versioning & feedback Projects they're invited to → Folders → Files; can review/comment Production
Indee.tv
Awards & Sales
Campaigns/Screening Rooms; viewer perms; analytics; forensic watermark & security Curated screening room — playlist or single asset; no folders, no collaboration Distribution
Vision Media
Enterprise Campaigns
Campaigns by Title/Season; branded FYC portals; invitation control & analytics Branded portal with titles; playback-only; no comments or annotations Awards
CineSend
Indie & Festivals
Festival/Distributor portals; DRM, expiry, geo-blocking; secure delivery methods Festival portal or secure link; playback-only; temporary & restricted access Festivals
Screeners.com
Press Access
Studio campaigns; curated hubs; per-user watermark; campaign analytics & branding Netflix-like gallery by title/episode; playback-only; no uploads or comments Awards/Press
06 / Information Architecture

Scalable 3-Tier Structure

A flat list fails after 20% of items. This hierarchy scales from a single indie short to a multi-season enterprise distribution.

Tier 1
Main Folder
Studio / Distribution Company Project Title
Tier 2
Subfolder
Season / Category / Screener Group Press Slate
Tier 3
Asset
Film_Final_v1.mov Episode_01.4K.mov
Grid View

Grid View

Grid view in the ScreenKey app presents content as visual cards with thumbnails, making it easier for users to quickly browse and recognize projects or media, especially during exploration or when visuals matter most.

List View

List View

List view in the ScreenKey app displays content in a structured, row-based format with key details like file name, date, access permissions, and status, enabling users to efficiently scan, compare, and manage large amounts of data.

07 / UX Findings

Design Decisions

Reviewer Access Clarity
V.1
V1
PROBLEM

Reviewers were entering projects from a shared invite link without enough context. It felt unclear whether they were joining a screening event, opening a project, or viewing a file.

V.2
V2
SOLUTION

Introduced a clearer invite-entry experience with project context upfront — including project title, relevant details, and a direct path to view invited projects.

IMPACT

Reduced confusion at entry and made reviewer access feel intentional, not like a generic link handoff.

Impact
Reduction in Time to First-Action
V.1
V1
PROBLEM

Users are being pushed into a pricing decision before experiencing any product value, leading to high bounce rates. Without context, trust, or understanding of benefits, users are more likely to leave instead of engaging.

V.2
V2
SOLUTION

Shift to a value-first experience by letting users create a project immediately instead of showing pricing upfront. Use a subtle upgrade banner to communicate limits and only prompt for plans after users experience value.

IMPACT

This shift to a value-first onboarding reduces bounce, increases user activation (more users creating their first project), and improves conversion by introducing pricing after users experience value.

Permission Transparency
V.1
V1
PROBLEM

Access management was inconsistent, with Upload Access misplaced outside the Sharing tab. This led to low discoverability and confusion about managing permissions.

V.2
V2
SOLUTION

All access controls were centralized into a unified Sharing experience by introducing an Upload Access sub-tab alongside existing sharing options.

IMPACT

Upload Access being explicitly defined reduces ambiguity around contributor roles.

Impact
Permission Transparency
V.1
V1
PROBLEM

ScreenKey's feedback workflow is inefficient due to unclear comment organization, weak status visibility, limited reply feedback visibility, and poor video navigation.

V.2
V2
SOLUTION

Simplify the experience by introducing clear sorting, visible comment and reply states, one-click timestamp navigation, intuitive filtering, and a more structured reply feedback flow.

IMPACT

Simplifying the experience with clear sorting, visible comment states, and structured reply flows improves users' ability to quickly scan and prioritize feedback, reducing time spent searching for relevant information. Features like one-click timestamp navigation and intuitive filtering enable faster access to context, leading to more efficient decision-making.

08 / Hi-Fidelity Design

Final Design

Web Design 1 Web Design 2 Web Design 3
Mobile Design 1 Mobile Design 2 Mobile Design 3 Mobile Design 4
09 / Outcomes & Validation

Measurable Impact

A flat list fails after 20% of items. This hierarchy scales from a single indie short to a multi-season enterprise distribution.

88%
Completion
Task success rate increased from 60%. Complex project setup rose from 60% to 88% task success.
40%
Efficiency
Reduction in Time to First-Action. Time from landing to the first significant action decreased by 40%.
300%
Growth
User growth validated by the dual-mode approach and simplified reviewer experience.
2-Sided
Marketplace
Admin mode for producers. Viewer mode for press & stakeholders.

Download
Screenkey App

QR Code https://app.screenkey.com/screeners/admin