Dynami
Final design concept for Dynami
Overview
Dynami is a video conferencing app designed to facilitate productive virtual meetings. By combining customizable experiences with built-in productivity tools, Dynami bridges the gap between simple video chat and comprehensive project collaboration.
How it started
Context
During the COVID-19 pandemic, video conferencing demand surged, hitting record downloads in early 2020. This 6-week immersive project with Shape/Build explored how to meet the evolving needs of remote learning and working.
Problem statement
"As video communication provides an opportunity for teams to collaborate virtually, there is a relational delay of information sharing. How can we create a complete meeting experience that encourages true collaboration?"
Research & Key themes
Discovery
Conducted user interviews with four individuals using video communication for remote work and learning to uncover friction points in current virtual collaboration methods.
Pain points
Users struggled with app-switching fatigue, difficult non-verbal feedback loops, and a lack of effective follow-up structures after meetings ended.
Core needs
The primary requirement emerged as a simplified, integrated toolset that maintains engagement without interrupting the flow of conversation.
Potential solutions
Roles & feedback
Defined meeting formats and user roles to streamline session management, paired with a broad set of reactions to encourage real-time engagement.
Friction control
Implemented a response queue to minimize overtalking and distraction control options like background noise cancellation to maintain session focus.
Integrated ecosystem
Collaborative product integrations with shared files and persistent workspaces to ensure seamless information sharing across team projects.
Process: Sketching to mockup
After gathering research-led solutions, I mapped a high-level user journey and translated it into initial sketches and lo-fi digital mockups to prioritize app navigation.
The evolution from initial journey mapping to lofi digital mockups.
Visual design
I selected a primary palette of deep purple accented with light blue and orange to create a
professional yet approachable aesthetic. The dark purple provides a sophisticated,
high-contrast foundation without the rigidity of traditional corporate tones.
To balance the depth of the purple, I integrated light blue and orange accents to add energy and warmth. I
paired this palette with Nunito; its rounded, friendly terminals reinforce the welcoming
feel of the brand while maintaining excellent readability.
First iteration: Integrating the visual design system
Final thoughts & takeaways
Initially, I approached this project by designing a video communication experience modeled after familiar industry standards. However, I realized that focusing solely on existing video apps was an unnecessary constraint. By shifting my lens toward productivity and note-taking tools, I was able to integrate features that prioritize deep work and efficiency alongside video functionality. Breaking out of that initial silo allowed me to explore a much broader range of possibilities and create a more versatile tool.
Refinement
Narrowing the scope mid-project significantly improved the overall user experience and clarified the product's core value proposition
Context
While the mobile app was a strong design challenge, user research confirmed that desktop remains the preferred surface for deep collaborative work
Research-led
Returning to the original interview data was critical during the design pivot, ensuring the solution remained grounded in real user needs