Iris
Client
iris.la
Year
The Problem
Services
Digital Product Design
Mobile App Design
Prototyping
In an age where attention spans are short and video is the dominant medium, we built a gamified mobile video player that transforms passive watching into interactive learning.
Originally designed for education, the platform evolved into a universal, creator-first storytelling player where users engage
through quizzes, chat, and accessible controls.
The Problem
We’re living in a clip-thinking era - people consume information fast, in bursts, and primarily through video. But video players haven't evolved much: they're linear, passive, and offer no meaningful way to engage or measure understanding.
Creators - from educators to storytellers - needed a tool that keeps users engaged, gives feedback, allows for interaction, and makes even 2-minute clips feel meaningful.
I led UX for this transformation - from niche tool to scalable learning infrastructure - resulting in 40% higher completion and strong user retention.
Core UX Innovations
Context On-tap Menu
Context On-tap Menu
It's designed for tap-speed clarity - visible when needed, hidden when not.
On tap, a dynamics pause overlay appears with:
On tap, a dynamics pause overlay appears with:
Navigation
Player Controls
Subtitles
Messages
Player Controls
Navigatiom
Subtitles
Messages
Open Creator Tools to let anyone upload lessons, create quizzes, and use templates
Quiz + Interaction Layer
Quiz + Interaction Layer
To turn passive video consumption into active engagement, we implemented timed, context-aware quizzes directly within the video experience. Rather than pulling users out of the flow, these interactions appear naturally at key moments - reinforcing comprehension and prompting reflection without feeling disruptive.
Users can ask questions during playback by tapping a subtle icon. This opens a chat-like input, where the instructor (or an AI guide) can respond later. It keeps the learning/conversation flowing without breaking immersion - a major differentiator from static video platforms.
Why we did this?
Why we did this?
Studies show active recall improves retention by 70% vs. passive watching
Studies show active recall improves retention by 70% vs. passive watching
Studies show active recall improves retention by 70% vs. passive watching
Interactive moments break up long content into digestible, rewarding pieces
Interactive moments break up long content into digestible, rewarding pieces
Interactive moments break up long content into digestible, rewarding pieces
It transforms video to dialogue - instead of just watching, learners can actively participate.
It transforms video to dialogue - instead of just watching, learners can actively participate.
It transforms video to dialogue - instead of just watching, learners can actively participate.
Messaging During Playback
Messaging During Playback
To turn passive video consumption into active engagement, we implemented timed, context-aware quizzes directly within the video experience. Rather than pulling users out of the flow, these interactions appear naturally at key moments - reinforcing comprehension and prompting reflection without feeling disruptive.
Users can ask questions during playback by tapping a subtle icon. This opens a chat-like input, where the instructor (or an AI guide) can respond later. It keeps the learning/conversation flowing without breaking immersion - a major differentiator from static video platforms.
Accessibility
The platform supports:
The platform supports:
Multiple caption sizes and spacing presets (Compact, Large, Low Vision)
Thumb-friendly layout for core controls (play, rewind, message, subtitles)
Quick toggles for speed and quality (available via intuitive overlay on tap)
Clear text hierarchy and scalable UI elements
Partially optimised for one-hand use
Fully operable with screen readers and designed for minimal cognitive load
Multiple caption sizes and spacing presets (Compact, Large, Low Vision)
Thumb-friendly layout for core controls (play, rewind, message, subtitles)
Quick toggles for speed and quality (available via intuitive overlay on tap)
Clear text hierarchy and scalable UI elements
Partially optimised for one-hand use
Fully operable with screen readers and designed for minimal cognitive load
Multiple caption sizes and spacing presets (Compact, Large, Low Vision)
Thumb-friendly layout for core controls (play, rewind, message, subtitles)
Quick toggles for speed and quality (available via intuitive overlay on tap)
Clear text hierarchy and scalable UI elements
Partially optimised for one-hand use
Fully operable with screen readers and designed for minimal cognitive load
Outcomes & Impact
+40% completion rate vs. passive video platforms
1.8x better retention in accessibility-enabled sessions
+40% completion rate vs. passive video platforms
1.8x better retention in accessibility-enabled sessions
users completed 92% of the quizzes they started
47% of incorrect answers triggered rewatches - validating feedback design
users completed 92% of the quizzes they started
47% of incorrect answers triggered rewatches - validating feedback design
65% of users use the message feature during the lessons
videos with quizzes saw 2x higher completion rates compared to videos without
65% of users use the message feature during the lessons
videos with quizzes saw 2x higher completion rates compared to videos without
Final Takeway
What’s next?
Forkable story paths for narrative-based creators
Real-time AI chat assistance
during complex lessons
Open Creator Tools to let anyone upload lessons,create quizzes, and use templates
Open Creator Tools to let anyone upload lessons,create quizzes, and use templates
Forkable story paths for narrative-based creators
Real-time AI chat assistance
during complex lessons
Real-time AI chat assistance
during complex lessons
Final Takeway
