What tools do live broadcasters need to become more successful?

Creating tools to improve the live streaming experience.

Summary

Flux is the result of my graduate thesis work, which focused on the development of a conceptual platform with the capability of supporting live broadcasters in everything they do from technical setup through going live and even editing VOD content.

Project Duration

~6 months

Team

Solo

Contribution

All design content on this project was created by me with the exception of vector icons.

Each streamer is able to cultivate their own community through interactions with the chat, social media, and publishing of pre-recorded content, among other methods.

In order to get the full live streamer experience, I learned how to stream myself. In the process I tested webcams, microphones, and software in an attempt to improve my stream.

At the same time, I spoke to several streamers ranging in size from veterans able to sustain 10,000+ viewers per stream to newcomers trying to break into the space.

All this gathered information was then synthesized using charts and other analysis tools.

The resulting insights lead to a multitude of opportunities to explore.

The sudden exponential growth of live streaming games has contributed to the disjointed feeling of the software broadcasters use.

I began by laying out the basic necessities of a broadcasting service, combining them with the most viable concepts above.

As ideation evolved from hand sketches to digital wireframes, a platform with the potential to satisfy the needs of stakeholders began to take shape.

However, the design quickly became too complex. It became clear that each phase of the streaming process would need to be addressed individually.

The process was split into five components. Each component requiring its own solution, which, combined with the other components, creates a service that enhances the broadcasters’ job from start to finish.

By dissecting the streaming process in this manner, I could build better solutions for each phase of a broadcaster’s job and create a better product as a whole.

Initial setup of a stream requires hours of research, setup, and trial & error.

The visual design of the stream is a major pain point of the current streaming ecosystem.

Every streamer has their own opinions on how a stream should look and why. But many streamers lack design skills and the current tools make the process tedious and confusing.

The live dashboard is, arguably, the most important aspect of any streaming service.

A broadcaster needs to see a wide range of information along with the tools they will need to make changes on the go.

Streamers should be able to see and edit everything from their Go Live Dashboard.

Edit preset stream designs on the fly, view donation notifications, and interact with chat all in one place.

With most streaming platforms, support ends once the stream is over.

But Flux goes the extra mile, allowing broadcasters to cut together clips saved by themselves, Flux’s AI, or their own viewers, and export them in a variety of formats.

Finally, Flux supports its broadcasters by providing a detailed analysis of each streaming session and customized suggestions based on site wide trends and statistics.

As a service, Flux offers a variety of tools and services designed to support everyone from brand new broadcasters to well-known veterans.

The current streaming ecosystem is highly disjointed. The broadcasting software, streaming platform, and donation platforms are all owned by separate parties.

Each of these services has their own set of rules, limitations, and prices.

Control of the streaming platform, donation and notification platform, and broadcasting software allows for more efficient monetization.

In addition it keeps both the streaming platform and broadcasting software at the same level of technological capability.

With the Flux system streaming, viewing, transactions, advertising, and even sponsorships are all built into a single platform.

Flux draws its revenue from several different activities. The most major activities include:

The goal of Flux is to make an alternative platform that will attract Twitch’s current broadcasters and to provide tools for non-money making broadcasters to become financially successful.