PicZa Solution for Solo Content Creator

A robotic dolly system capable to be mounted to any amateur camera system, providing amateur filmmakers the ability to shoot professional-level tracking, trucking, and arc shots without relying on a cameraman and expensive equipment.

My Role

UX & Product Designer

User & Market Research

CAD Design

Creative Lead

Team

Cross-functional team of 6.

Include MIT Engineering and Business Grads and myself as the Solo Designer

Tool

Adobe Suite, Figma, Solidworks, 3D Printing, Arduiono

Problem Statement

How might we provide amateur video content creators with the ability to expand their creative potential and assist them through the journey of growth as creators?

Research

Identifying Reasons for Dissatisfaction in a Saturated Market

The content creation landscape is full of cheap and high-quality products, but ammeter creators are still struggling.

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Few filming products meet all 3 user needs: adaptability, minimal learning curve, creative expansion.

Reason 1

Reason 2

Armature creators struggle with trial and error without any guidance or connections.

Reason 3

Audio recording devices disturb the visual image.

"I want something idiot-proof, so I can quickly create content without having to invest a lot of time practicing, and something easy to use by anyone to help me film."

Drone

Adaptable

Minimal Learning Curve

Expand Creative Capability

360 Camera

Adaptable

Minimal Learning Curve

Expand Creative Capability

Opportunity 1

Camera Manipulation Tool

Provide solo amateur creator the ability to expand their creative potential with a tool that is adaptable and easy to use.

Opportunity 2

Creator Unite

Assist solo amateur creators to grow by providing learning resources and connections.

Opportunity 3

Seamless Audio Tool

Enable solo amateur creators to capture high-quality audio without creating visual distraction and limiting their movements.

Ideation and Converging process

Use Risk Managing Tools to Pin Down Opportunity

Ideated on the 3 Opportunities

Opportunity 1

Camera Manipulation

Opportunity 2

Creator Unite

Opportunity 3

Seamless Audio Tool

Assessed 3 opportunities using the Real Win Worth-it Framework, then eliminated Opportunity 3 of Audio Tool as we don't believe we will "win" other competitors.

Prototyped 2 Opportunities

Opportunity 1
Camera Manipulation Tool

Camera/Equipment Manipulator

Opportunity 2
Creator Unite

Idea 1: Creator Unite - Mentorship App

Screen Shot 2022-03-08 at 2.05.00 AM.png

Idea 2: Creator App -Location and film buddy Finder

Screen Shot 2022-03-08 at 2.04.32 AM.png

Used Decision Matrix Framework to evaluate each idea/prototype based on our team's skill sets, personal excitement, business value, etc. We decide to pursue opportunity 1 Camera Manipulation Tool.

Selected 1 Opportunity:

Camera Manipulation Tool

Mission Statement

How might we create a camera manipulation tool that provide solo amateur creators the ability of...

Expand Creativity

Goal:

Enable solo creators the ability to film outside the box beside the traditional selfie modes and static shots.

Success Metrics:

Increase the number of dynamic shots users can film solo.

Product Adaptability

Goal:

The design should not limit creators' ability to adjust the product based on their needs and existing filming setups.

Success Metrics:

Maximize the number of different cameras and additional accessories to pair with the device.

Ease of Use

Goal:

Enable creators to rapidly adjust to the product without effecting creators' creation schedules.

Success Metrics:

Users can learn to operate the basic function under 10 minutes of familiarizing.

Prototyping Process

Iterate within Constraints and User Feedback

Cardboard Sketch Models

Initial design: full robotic dolly. We realized we had to simplify to complete the product within the project timeline.

Skateboards + Tripod + Phone Camera

Most users already have cameras and tripods, so why not just provide a robotic base that can be adaptable to different setups.

We test quickly with different combinations of skateboards, wheel sizes, tripods, and gimbals.

The Pizza: First Working Model

We conducted usability interview with the Pizza to determine essential features.

Quotes:

"Keyframe UI to control the device speed would be nice, similar to that of video editing apps."

"All my devices need to fit in my backpack since I travel to film."

PicZa: Alpha Prototype Building

To achieve the user needs of compact design, we bought an off-the-shelf product to re-engineer and used its metal extendable legs to make our product more adaptable to different setup.