Intrado Video Conferencing Client
Hoot Meetings
A new initiative from an audio conferencing giant
West was a global leader in audio telecommunications when it was rebranded as Intrado. As part of this transformation, the company moved to completely redesign its web conferencing product to be lean and competitive.
ROLE UX and UI designer for web and mobile application
CONCEPT A cross-platform video conferencing solution focused on interoperability
METHODOLOGY Our first major product working in Scaled Agile Framework
TOOLS USED Designs in Figma, Material UI elements, Axure Pro for specs, UserTesting.com
Minimum Viable Product
An initial release was planned to test feasibility and generate feedback.
Requirements included:
Two-step Join process to handle login and video devices
Two account types: Moderator and Participant
Simple mute controls with unambiguous ON/OFF states
Basic Participant List, chat to all, one user sharing at a time
Video layouts determined by the media platform (Pexip)
Browser-based video for a smooth installation-free experience
Additional Features
The roadmap included a longer, prioritized list of features to meet the demands of the market:
Full VoIP, PSTN, or SIP connection options
Raise hand feature
Record functionality
Security and access controls for Waiting Room and Sharing
Multiple support options, including live chat and intro tour
Breakout rooms (designed, not implemented)
Individual or group chat (designed, not implemented)
Different Device, Different Use Cases
A mobile app for iOS + Android, designed in parallel to the browser application.
Special Considerations:
Clear priorities, to ensure quick access to key functions
One task per screen (favorites, meeting history, etc)
Handset mode (no on-screen interaction except Mute)
Driving mode (simplified to reduce distraction)
Audio and video options
Meeting history and favorites
Driving mode
Handset mode
UserTesting.com was used to recruit general conferencing software users, who were then asked to complete basic tasks and survey questions while giving continuous verbal feedback.
Test #1: General control placement
A panel of users were shown an early mockup of the main meeting UI
Users were asked to find various standard in-meeting controls
RESULTS High success rate and positive feedback overall
INSIGHTS Where answers were ambivalent, some redundancy was required
Test #2: Improved join process
After a redesign, we needed to confirm whether the new unified Join screen was clear and intuitive.
Three tests were devised, showing the same screen
In each test, the users had a different goal in mind
Each test was given to five users, using UserTesting.com
RESULTS Tasks were completed successfully by virtually all users
INSIGHT #1 Product was compared favorably to competitors in many cases
INSIGHT #2 Some users wanted additional features, like Dark Mode
"Intrado’s design aesthetic and UX is meant for basic users, while Hoot Meetings’ under-the-hood features are good enough for even the most demanding power user."
Anwesha Roy, UC Today
Hoot Meetings Review: The Rookie with Oodles of Possibility
(https://www.uctoday.com/collaboration/hoot-meetings-review/)
Hoot Meetings was made available internally at the end of 2020, and Intrado started transitioning existing UM5 customers to the new platform.
In June 2021:
10K Meeting Rooms
being used at 1,600 companies
85K Conferences
held in June 2021
1.2 million web minutes
logged in Hoot Meetings
Getting a new product off the ground
Before the work outlined in this case study, Intrado was using a 5+ year old product that was no longer generating new leads or building momentum. My designs were a spark for a 2-year project building a strong, well-received alternative.