Prev @ the LEGO Group
Prototyping a Short-Form Text App For Television
2024
Project summary ✦
We set out to test the viability of bringing short-form text apps to TV—using Instagram Threads as our test app—through three versions: a Threads TV app, a screensaver mode, and ultimately a 24-hour personalized AI-generated talk show. These versions were inspired by a key breakthrough: realizing that TV isn't just a source of entertainment in the home, but rather, a “third voice.”
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
AN unconventional project
AN unconventional project
Through the Silicon Valley School of Design (SVSD)—a 6-month program led by a Google designer—my partner and I took on the brief: Can short-form text apps work on a TV screen?
Through the Silicon Valley School of Design (SVSD)—a 6-month program led by a Google designer—my partner and I took on the brief: Can short-form text apps work on a TV screen?
INSTAGRAM THREADS WAS OUR TEST APP
INSTAGRAM THREADS WAS OUR TEST APP
But why text apps?
But why text apps?
Most TV apps are built for long videos—but text apps unlock an entirely different kind of content. Text allows people to:
Most TV apps are built for long videos—but text apps unlock an entirely different kind of content. Text allows people to post in real time, unfiltered. It’s why news surfaces on Twitter or Threads before TikTok:
It’s why news surfaces on Twitter or Threads long before TikTok:
The tweet that broke the 2025 NBA trade
The tweet that broke the 2025 NBA trade
We led with prototyping since no precedent existed for text apps on TV
We led with prototyping since no precedent existed for text on TV
We drew inspiration from apps like TikTok and Snapchat, which began as prototypes—proof that sometimes the only way to believe an idea is to see it in action.
We drew inspiration from apps like TikTok which began as prototypes—proof that sometimes the only way to believe an idea is to see it in action.
USING REAL TVS TO VIEW OUR PROTOTYPES
USING REAL TVS TO VIEW OUR PROTOTYPES
Note: This is not a product recommendation
Note: This is not a product recommendation
We are not suggesting that this is an urgent thing for Threads to build—we are acting as an exploratory team. However, if we can validate this exploration, it can have broader implications for other short-form text apps.
We are not suggesting that this is an urgent thing for Threads to build—we are acting as an exploratory team. However, if we can validate it, it can have broader implications for other short-form text apps.
strategy
strategy
We began by studying 10-foot UI design and popular TV application principles
We began by studying 10-foot UI design and popular TV application principles
Netflix ui
Netflix ui
We found three consistent patterns that set TV interfaces apart from mobile/ desktop: clear selection states, higher color contrast, and low information density.
Here are three key ways TV design differs from mobile:
with the big screen came big challenges
with the big screen came big challenges
From our initial research and testing, we narrowed in on key differences between mobile and TV:
From our initial research and testing, we narrowed in on key differences between mobile and TV:
challenges that shaped version 1
challenges that shaped version 1
version 1
Literally translating the app onto tv for a passive consumption viewing experience
01 An auto-scrolling feed with audio and word by word highlight
Show design decisions
01 An auto-scrolling feed with audio and word by word highlight
Show design decisions
02 a Lightweight interaction model that allows for lightweight engagement
Show design decisions
02 a Lightweight interaction model that allows for lightweight engagement
Show design decisions
a key insight
a key insight
We presented our solution to 20 designers who understood the standards for media experiences
presenting to designers who understood media experiences
The designers were from meta, apple, spotify, and other media companies
designers from meta, apple, spotify, etc
Our reviewers pushed us to ask: were we looking at the role of tv through the right lens?
The feedback: were we looking at tv through the right lens?
We began questioning whether TV only serves as entertainment or if it plays a deeper, more ambient purpose in the home. We identified three levels of engagement of how people watch TV:
We identified three levels of engagement of how people watch TV: fully engaged, partially engaged, and minimally engaged.
fully engaged
partially engaged
minimally engaged
a key insight: tv is as a third voice in the home
a key insight: tv is a third voice
We often leave the TV on in the background. Even when we’re only minimally engaged, it creates a sense of presence, almost like a companion. This shifted our thinking: instead of designing only for focused attention, we began considering how content could live ambiently in the home.
Even when we’re only minimally engaged, TV is a presence in the home. This shifted our thinking: instead of designing for focused attention, we began considering how content could live ambiently.
version 2
version 2
aN EVEN MORE PASSIVE EXPERIENCE: an ambient screensaver for those who barely look up
aN EVEN MORE PASSIVE EXPERIENCE for people who barely look up
A SCREENSAVER mode
popular topics rotate, grouped by story and anchored by a key visual
popular topics rotate, grouped by story and anchored by a key visual
user testing showed this version worked—Until We came across a popular Content Format
testing showed this version worked, Until We found a popular Format
The popular TikTok trend: Reddit threads read over gameplay
Reddit threads read over gameplay on tiktok
Why is this format so popular?
We realized that this format was so popular because a compelling presence creates presence, even when no one is watching. Going off this insight, we were inspired to create version 3.
version 3
version 3
a 24-hour TV channel, made from your Threads algorithm and hosted by an ai avatar
a 24-hour TV channel, made from your Threads algorithm and hosted by an ai avatar
talk show with an ai host
AI host discussing threads and comments from your feed
Show design decisions
AI host discussing threads and comments from your feed
Show design decisions
Reflection
Reflection
the feedback showed that the talk show format was compelling for all levels of engagement
the feedback showed that the talk show format was compelling for all levels of engagement
Multiple rounds of user testing and several high-stakes presentations to media designers later, we realized our final version hit the mark: compelling and passive, but entertaining. We found a medium to make short-form text on TV possible.
Multiple rounds of user testing and several high-stakes presentations to media designers later, we realized our final version hit the mark: compelling and passive, but entertaining. We found a medium to make short-form text on TV possible.
Sharing the final concept with Robbie Tillard (ex-apple hci)
presenting to Robbie Tillard (ex-apple)
takeaways from an unconventional project
takeaways from an unconventional project
This project was full of ups and downs—we experimented with new AI platforms, sat through some brutal feedback, and dealt with prototypes crashing an hour before presentations. But in the end, it was all worth it because I genuinely learned so much. Here are the three biggest lessons I'll carry forward with me:
This project was full of ups and downs, but in the end, it was all worth it because I learned so much! Here are my main takeaways: design for real viewing habits, find inspiration from media that works, and prototype to validate assumptions. I'll definitely carry these lessons forward!
Design for real viewing habits
Design for real viewing habits
find inspiration from media that works
find inspiration from media that works
Prototype to validate assumptions
Prototype to validate assumptions
reach out to view my full project
This project came with plenty of other explorations, from hundreds of timer prototypes to a communal view feature. I’d be more than happy to walk you through the rest over a coffee chat or interview! In the meantime, check out my other projects:
theater mode
version 1
A way to view threads, interact with them, and change profiles in a full application.
Prototyping a Short-Form Text App For TV