Overview
For over a decade, I oversaw all UX, mobile, web, and interactive video design at Giant Interactive — a full-service digital studio working with Apple, Google, CBS, HBO, Disney, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, MTV, and Nickelodeon.
The most notable project of this era: designing and managing a secure online screening platform and companion iOS and tvOS apps used by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Oscar voting.
The Oscar Screening Platform
The Problem
The Academy needed to modernize its screener distribution and voting process. The existing system relied on physical DVDs — creating logistical complexity and security risks. The new platform needed to:
- Allow Academy members to watch screeners securely on any device
- Prevent unauthorized recording or redistribution
- Be intuitive enough for members ranging from 30 to 90+ years old
- Handle peak traffic during voting season
Design Approach
Security without friction The hardest problem was embedding robust DRM and access controls without making the experience feel like a security checkpoint. I designed a seamless authentication flow that:
- Used persistent device authorization to minimize re-login friction
- Surfaced access restrictions contextually rather than blocking upfront
- Maintained a cinematic, high-quality viewing aesthetic despite technical constraints
Accessible for all ages With Academy membership spanning generations, accessibility and simplicity were paramount:
- Large, high-contrast touch targets
- Simplified navigation with clear information hierarchy
- Contextual help and onboarding for less tech-savvy members
Companion iOS & tvOS apps I led the design of companion apps that extended the platform to mobile and living room viewing:
- iOS app for on-the-go screening
- tvOS app optimized for lean-back, remote-controlled viewing
- Consistent design language across all surfaces
Other Notable Work at Giant
During my tenure, I led UX and design for projects across the entertainment industry's biggest names, including:
- HBO — digital campaign experiences and content discovery
- Disney — interactive marketing and digital product work
- CBS — streaming and content platform UX
- Apple — digital creative projects (details under NDA)
- Google — interactive experiences and tools
Outcomes
- Successful Oscar screener platform deployed across multiple voting cycles
- Recognized internally as a flagship demonstration of UX under technical constraints
- Established a repeatable security-UX pattern later applied to other rights-managed content platforms
This project remains one of the most technically and experientially complex of my career. Happy to discuss in detail.