Enhancing a Learning Management System
with Video Editing Capabilities
PRODUCT DESIGN | RESEARCH | ACADEMIC PROJECT
CONTEXT
Guide, a Learning Management Platform (LMS), offers byte-sized learning content tailored for mid-sized remote companies. While its focus on concise content aligns well with modern workplace learning needs, content creation for the platform remains cumbersome because users have to rely on external tools.
We aimed to streamline this process by introducing video editing capabilities directly into the platform. HR administrators and content creators can trim, edit, and structure videos into the platform's 90-second chapter-wise format. This reduced dependence on external tools and improved overall workflow efficiency.
TIMELINE
Aug 2024 — May 2025 (Capstone Project)
TEAM
Chien-Chi Liu, Shruti Muralidas, Saie Wable,
Shihao Lan, Yu-Chi Mei
ROLE
UX Design, Research, Prototyping, Management
AFFILIATED WITH
University of Maryland - College of Information and Guide App
OUR PROCESS
Sprint 0
Research
-UNDERSTAND BUSINESS
-STUDY COMPETITORS
-EMPATHISE WITH USERS
-DERIVE INSIGHTS
Sprint 1
Exploration
-MAP JOURNEYS
-EXPLORE IDEAS
-DECIDE WITH STAKEHOLDERS
-DEVELOP CONCEPTS
-TEST WITH USERS
Sprint 2
Refinement
-REFINE SOLUTIONS
-DEFINE DESIGN SYSTEMS
-DEVELOP UI DESIGNS
-TESTING WITH USERS
We are here
PROBLEM DEFINITION
The existing flow to edit content requires external software, leading to inefficiencies and increased time consumption.
Editing is necessary since the app only supports 90 second videos. Additionally, there are very limited ways to manage content when uploading. For example, users cannot upload multiple files, organize into chapters or use templates.
Our goal is to develop an integrated solution that allows users to upload and edit videos directly within the platform, streamlining workflows. We aimed to reduce content creators’ editing time by at least 30%.
RESEARCH PLANNING
To start off, we conducted comprehensive background research to justify the need for an in-platform video editing feature. Our research objectives included:
Defining the current pain points of Guide’s users and aligning the solution with their needs.
Exploring competitor platforms to identify gaps in video editing features.
Testing the feasibility of a “Mark and Snip” feature, essentially to add chapters and trim videos to fit Guide’s content format.
Our Target Users
Content Creators
Responsible for video production and editing.
HR Administrators
Overseeing platform content distribution.
Employees
Consuming the learning content for training.
UNDERSTANDING THE BUSINESS
To ensure alignment with organizational goals, we mapped the operating model on a Business Model Canvas.
We mapped key value propositions against user needs, identified critical success factors for the video editing solution, and analyzed potential technical and operational constraints.
Fig. Business Model Canvas
CONSTRAINTS
Limited Access to Users
Although the app had users, we couldn't reach them directly for interviews and relied on the client.
Development Limitations
The client had a compact developer team, which is why our feature scope was limited.
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS
We conducted a comparative analysis
of 10 competitor LMS and video editing tools by exploring trial versions, attending live demos, and documenting key features, pain points, and value propositions.
Why?
The goal was to identify industry trends, gaps in existing solutions, and best practices we could leverage for Guide’s platform.
OUR KEY FINDINGS
Mobile-First Trends
Competitors prioritize mobile usability to enhance accessibility
AI-Driven Tools
Automated editing and captioning reduce manual workload but require refinement for nuanced tasks.
Integration
Seamless integration with workplace tools like Slack and Teams is increasingly common.
Social Features
Many platforms lack features that foster collaboration and community among learners.
Video Editing
Advanced features like multi-layer editing, templates, and branding tools are standard
USER INTERVIEWS
We conducted semi-structured interviews with 8 participants, representing content creators, HR personnel, and employees.
Why?
We chose semi-structured interviews to allow flexibility in probing specific areas based on user responses while maintaining a consistent focus on our goals.
Each interview was about 45 minutes & mainly explored:
Challenges in video editing and content creation workflows.
Tools and features that could enhance efficiency.
Pain points in training and onboarding experiences.
zoom.com
Fig. Interview call on Zoom
DATA ANALYSIS
We synthesized interview and competitor analysis data using thematic analysis to extract actionable insights.
Why?
This approach helped us identify recurring themes and align findings with our design goals.
Fig. Interview Notes
Our Key Findings FROM INTERVIEWS include:
01.
Customization Challenges
Existing mobile tools fall short in providing options like layered text animations, limiting flexibility for content creators.
02.
AI Limitations
While AI tools assist with basic editing, they struggle with complex tasks like accurate captioning & nuanced decision-making.
03.
Time-consuming Workflows
Tasks like video trimming, adding music, and applying transitions require significant manual effort on external apps
04.
Template Use
AutoCut and template-based editing emerged as valuable features for reducing effort and standardizing output.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on our findings from competitor analysis and interviews, we recommended the following to our client
Advanced Video Editing Features
Provide editing capabilities with a special focus on the Mark and Snip function, allowing users to easily select and trim specific portions of videos.
Complete Video Editing
& Publishing Workflow
Provide editing capabilities with a special focus on the Mark and Snip function, allowing users to easily select and trim specific portions of videos.
Content Categorization & Course Creation
Enable systematic organization of video content and facilitate the creation of structured courses, making it easier to manage and deliver educational material.
Brand Assets Integration
Allows seamless incorporation of company branding elements, logos, and other visual assets into video content to maintain consistent brand identity.
Mobile-First Approach
Designed primarily for mobile devices, ensuring users can access and edit content conveniently from their smartphones or tablets.
Ready To Use Video Templates
Provides pre-designed video templates and content that users can quickly customize, saving time and ensuring professional-looking results.
REFLECTIONS SO FAR
Our team demonstrated strong planning and seamless internal communication, fostering an effective collaborative environment.
Additionally, we established a solid rapport with the client, which set a positive tone for the project. The in-depth research conducted during this phase proved crucial, enabling us to uncover key market trends and potential user needs that laid the foundation for our design decisions.
CHALLENGES
While Sprint 1 had its successes, we encountered several challenges that required adaptability and problem-solving:
Unclear Direction: Ambiguity in the client’s vision delayed alignment, stressing the need for clear project scoping.
Resource Delays: Limited trial access hindered progress, highlighting the importance of contingency planning.
Recruitment Challenges: A tight timeline and lack of direct user access required extra effort for participant outreach.
Compressed Timeline: The client’s rush to design limited research time, emphasizing the need to balance expectations.
KICKING OFF SPRINT 2
In Sprint 2, we began with a focused brainstorming session to identify key challenges, such as simplifying file uploads, improving the 'Mark & Snip' workflow, and refining the overall video editing experience.
OUR KEY SPRINT QUESTIONS
What are the most user-friendly methods for uploading files to our platform? Are there steps or processes that could be simplified or automated?
Where do users most frequently need to access the "Mark & Snip" function within the app? Should it be a standalone tool or integrated into specific workflows?
What are the primary challenges users encounter with the Guide app? Are there usability issues, technical limitations, or content gaps?
How can we improve the overall video editing experience? Are there any performance or usability pain points?
KEY ACTIVITIES
We adhered to the Sprint Methodology—a structured, iterative process commonly used in industry—to guide our work. This decision allowed us to test its efficiency and learn how to refine our day-to-day design methods.
Fig. The Google Design Sprint Process
MAP
We started by creating a storyboard of how a user might engage with the Guide App, focusing particularly on the 'Mark & Snip' function. This helped us visualize a persona and the user journey in context.
Next, we conducted the 'How Might We' (HMW) exercise to generate problem statements and prioritize areas of focus through dot voting—a method where participants distribute a limited number of votes among ideas to highlight the most pressing issues. This approach ensured that our team collectively identified the most impactful challenges to address in Sprint 2.
Fig. Ideal User Journey Map
Fig. Voting on HMW questions
Fig. A training manager user persona
After walking our client through the Journey Map and our organized How Might We notes,
the client shortlisted three statements that will be considered key focus areas moving forward.
SHORTLISTED HMW STATEMENTS
Top priority
This activity gave us clarity on our client’s goals and helped us narrow down on our solution sketches.
SKETCH & DECIDE
Armed with our HMW insights, we explored potential solutions through individual brainstorming and Crazy 8s. Each team member sketched ideas for the upload and edit stages, which were then consolidated in an art wall format. After a round of team voting, we identified key concepts with the most promise.
Fig. Sketches for the Uploading and Editing Journey
Fig. Art Wall layout of sketches to present to stakeholders and vote
We present our sketches and ideas to the client, and after two rounds of voting, here are the ideas that received a ‘Super Vote’ These are ideas the client loved and wanted us to incorporate them in wireframes.
WIREFRAMING
Upload Popup
This popup is accessible to admins and creators from the homepage. Users can either upload multiple files from their computers or use Guide’s existing template gallery to quickly get started.
Quickly start with ready templates and content from Guide
Drag and drop or click to select files from PC
Templates
Users can either search and select ready content organized by topic or pick styles of professionally edited templates where they can insert their content. More information and a CTA to proceed appears on clicking.
Search to find relevant topic material
Categories of content
A second type of template: Styles where users can find professionally edited videos with placeholders for their own content
Editing
General editing screen that a user lands on after uploading their files. Uploaded videos are situated in the bottom panel, with an option to trim and reorder videos by dragging.
Video editing options for video that is selected in the bottom panel
Uploaded videos are displayed here, along with layers for sound and other media
Preview panel for the edited video
Markers
Markers are like sections or chapters in a video that the user can manually add. All the added markers are in the main panel, with an option to add a new marker and drag it across the timeline to indicate a certain duration.
List of markers created along with timestamps
Option to add a new marker
Added markers over the video timeline to indicate split and duration
USER TESTING
We tested our prototype on Useberry with 4 participants
Why Useberry?
Participants can easily navigate the interface/prototype that I created, which allowed me to collect data on their interactions with my prototypes.
OVERALL FEEDBACK
“It's kind of easy at the later steps after getting familiar with your editor.”
“I think your structure & interface looks very nice at this stage, very intuitive”
“The overall flow from upload to edit to publish was simple to follow”
KEY IMPROVEMENTS
Meaningful Navigation Order
Most users wanted to keep current navigation design, but change the sequence of the features to reflect frequently used features.
Clearer Terminology
It is confusing to understand what a “marker” is. Users also weren’t sure about publishing and approval language.
Coach Marks
Users would benefit from onboarding coach marks to explain the app’s layout and where key features are located
Better Visual Cues
Users mentioned they had trouble noticing certain layers in the timeline. Visual cues like naming and colors in the timeline would help.
Intuitive Icons
The current create button on the home screen resembles a Zoom video call icon, could be changed to something more related to uploading and editing
More coming soon!
This casestudy is best viewed on desktop
This casestudy is best viewed on desktop