Year
2024
Client
Sony & Paramount
Category
UI Design
Product Duration
1 month
To ensure Pluto TV felt native within the PS5 ecosystem, I conducted research with current PlayStation 5 users who actively stream media. Through interviews, I uncovered user preferences and pain points, including the lack of an option for casual, lean-back viewing. Many participants expressed frustration that streaming on PS5 often required a high level of interaction, when they sometimes preferred a passive experience similar to traditional TV.
In parallel, I conducted a detailed review of the current PS5 user interface, with a focus on the Media section design patterns. This analysis highlighted the opportunities and constraints of the console environment and informed how Pluto TV could be integrated as a top-level menu item without disrupting the native PlayStation experience.
The combination of user insights and UI analysis provided a strong foundation for optimizing the design of a new Free TV section, balancing Sony’s goal of expanding into streaming with Pluto TV’s need to deliver simple, intuitive access to content.
Building on research insights and PS5 UI analysis, I explored multiple user flow concepts to define how Pluto TV could fit seamlessly within the console’s ecosystem. Early sketches helped me visualize different approaches to content entry points, navigation structures, and the balance between lean-back and interactive viewing.
From these explorations, I developed wireframes that illustrated potential layouts for the new Free TV section. Each iteration highlighted trade-offs around content visibility, ease of navigation, and consistency with both PlayStation’s ecosystem and Pluto TV’s design system.
Throughout the ideation process, I worked closely with design leadership, product managers, and engineers to refine flows and validate technical feasibility. This collaborative approach ensured that design decisions were not only user-centered but also aligned with platform requirements and business goals.
The outcome of this phase was a clear design direction supported by cross-functional consensus, which set the foundation for detailed UI design.
In the UI design phase, I adapted and extended the Pluto TV design system to align with the unique interaction patterns and visual language of the PS5 ecosystem. This required modifying existing components—such as navigation elements, content cards, and playback controls—so that they felt native within the PlayStation interface while still retaining Pluto TV’s brand identity.
A central part of the process was collaboration with Sony’s design and product teams. Together, we optimized layouts, motion behaviors, and input models to ensure the experience met the expectations of existing PS5 users. Particular attention was given to maintaining consistency with PlayStation’s media environment, while also supporting Pluto TV’s goal of offering an intuitive “lean-back” streaming experience.
The result was a tailored UI framework that balanced the strengths of both ecosystems: the scalability of Pluto TV’s design system and the immersive, console-native feel of the PS5 interface.
The launch of Pluto TV as a native experience within the PS5 ecosystem led to a clear increase in adoption and engagement among console users, validating the design decisions made during research and development. By tailoring the interface to PlayStation’s unique interaction model, the product successfully met user expectations for a seamless and accessible streaming option within the console environment.
This outcome was made possible through deep cross-functional collaboration. I worked closely with engineering, design leadership, and Sony’s teams to refine the product across multiple iterations, ensuring technical feasibility and design consistency. The project demonstrated how aligning diverse stakeholders around user needs can deliver a product that feels both brand-authentic and platform-native—ultimately strengthening Pluto TV’s position in the console streaming space.
