Improved the subtitle experience for dyslexic users on Sky Glass by identifying usability friction and designing targeted improvements to increase readability and engagement.
The Problem
The existing subtitle experience created significant friction for dyslexic users, leading to low usability satisfaction.
Key issues identified:
• Limited customisation options • Poor readability and text clarity • Lack of accessibility-focused design
Result:
• 63% of users reported dissatisfaction with subtitle readability
Analysis
I analysed user behaviour and accessibility needs through:
• User interviews • Usability testing • Accessibility research
Key findings:
• Readability directly impacted engagement and comprehension • Users struggled with font clarity, layout, and tracking text • Lack of personalisation reduced overall usability
Key Decision
To improve usability, I focused on reducing cognitive load and increasing readability through clearer text presentation and personalisation.
Approach
• Introduced adjustable font size and colour for improved readability
• Improved text layout to reduce cognitive load
• Explored reading guidance features to support text tracking
• Designed and tested variations through usability testing
Impact
• Increased usability satisfaction to 88%
• Identified key drivers of engagement linked to readability
• Recommended and prioritised improvements based on user behaviour and accessibility needs
• Defined success metrics including usability satisfaction and engagement
Key Learnings
• Improving accessibility can directly increase engagement
• Readability is a key driver of user experience in media products
• Small, targeted usability improvements can significantly impact performance
Product Flows & Key Improvements
Next Steps
Further product flows, experiments, and detailed artefacts available on request.