Empowering Streamers, Driving Growth: The Redesign of Sidekick

Empowering Streamers, Driving Growth: The Redesign of Sidekick

Industry

Esports & Gaming

Client

eFuse Inc.

Role

Sr. Product Designer

Focus

UX Design / UI Design / Product / Art Direction

Inheriting a complex suite of streamer tools like Sidekick (formerly Clippy.tv) was both exciting and challenging. Usability issues and a disconnect with user needs held it back from its full potential.

As Lead Product Designer, I dove deep, from the landing page to the core experience. Recognizing the inherent issues, my "product trio" – myself, the Product Owner, and the Engineering Lead – rolled up our sleeves and began the transformation journey. Ditching assumptions, diving deep: Streamer voices fueled Sidekick's redesign. Dedicated Discord channels and user interviews became our immersion tools, letting us truly understand streamer challenges and desires. This deep dive fueled every design decision, ensuring Sidekick became a platform built for, by, and with the streamer community. Sure, functionality matters, but for Sidekick, we knew it wasn't enough. We embraced "simplification" as our mantra, streamlining each widget by reducing steps and crafting an intuitive workflow. But accessibility didn't stop there.

Inheriting a complex suite of streamer tools like Sidekick (formerly Clippy.tv) was both exciting and challenging. Usability issues and a disconnect with user needs held it back from its full potential.

As Lead Product Designer, I dove deep, from the landing page to the core experience. Recognizing the inherent issues, my "product trio" – myself, the Product Owner, and the Engineering Lead – rolled up our sleeves and began the transformation journey. Ditching assumptions, diving deep: Streamer voices fueled Sidekick's redesign. Dedicated Discord channels and user interviews became our immersion tools, letting us truly understand streamer challenges and desires. This deep dive fueled every design decision, ensuring Sidekick became a platform built for, by, and with the streamer community. Sure, functionality matters, but for Sidekick, we knew it wasn't enough. We embraced "simplification" as our mantra, streamlining each widget by reducing steps and crafting an intuitive workflow. But accessibility didn't stop there.

Direct Discord communication with Sidekick users fueled a vibrant feedback loop, acting as our design compass.

Discord became our direct line to Sidekick users, fueling a user-centered design sprint approach. We embarked on iterative design sprints, conducting in-depth user interviews and surveys to understand their pain points and aspirations. This qualitative data informed low-fidelity wireframes, rapidly iterated upon through A/B testing and user walkthroughs. These initial explorations then evolved into high-fidelity mockups, meticulously refined based on user feedback from usability testing. This continuous loop ensured the Sidekick overhaul not only addressed their needs precisely but also elevated the overall experience. The user-centric focus extended beyond the interface. User journey maps and information architecture exercises helped us design an intuitive and discoverable experience. We also conducted card sorting and tree testing to ensure optimal navigation and information hierarchy. This resulted in crystal-clear documentation and effortless discoverability, empowering streamers to find the tools they need instantly.

Direct Discord communication with Sidekick users fueled a vibrant feedback loop, acting as our design compass.

Discord became our direct line to Sidekick users, fueling a user-centered design sprint approach. We embarked on iterative design sprints, conducting in-depth user interviews and surveys to understand their pain points and aspirations. This qualitative data informed low-fidelity wireframes, rapidly iterated upon through A/B testing and user walkthroughs. These initial explorations then evolved into high-fidelity mockups, meticulously refined based on user feedback from usability testing. This continuous loop ensured the Sidekick overhaul not only addressed their needs precisely but also elevated the overall experience. The user-centric focus extended beyond the interface. User journey maps and information architecture exercises helped us design an intuitive and discoverable experience. We also conducted card sorting and tree testing to ensure optimal navigation and information hierarchy. This resulted in crystal-clear documentation and effortless discoverability, empowering streamers to find the tools they need instantly.

This transformation wasn't just about usability; it was about creating a streamer paradise, where creators could focus on what they do best: engaging their audiences and building thriving communities.

Sidekick's success speaks volumes beyond testimonials. Streamers of all sizes have embraced the platform, and the numbers solidify its impact: our top widgets alone boast 1.1 million clips played, 33,000 channel shoutouts, and a combined 413 days of total playtime - a testament to its ability to foster engagement and keep viewers hooked. With an estimated 8,000 monthly active users, Sidekick's growing community signifies its value proposition and resonates with the needs of streamers.

Montly Active Users

8k

!so & !brb Widget

1.1m

Total Play Time (Days)

413

Channels

33K

These quantifiable results, fueled by user-centric design decisions, showcase how simplifying the experience, enhancing accessibility, and prioritizing engagement empower streamers to unlock their full potential and connect with their audiences in meaningful ways. This data-driven success story positions Sidekick for continued growth within the vibrant streaming landscape.

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Ready to elevate your brand and captivate your audience?

© Zach Blevins. All Rights Reserved 2024

Contact

Ready to elevate your brand and captivate your audience?

© Zach Blevins. All Rights Reserved 2024

Contact

Ready to elevate your brand and captivate your audience?

© Zach Blevins. All Rights Reserved 2024

Contact

Ready to elevate your brand and captivate your audience?

© Zach Blevins. All Rights Reserved 2024