Designed a next-generation in-flight entertainment system focusing on accessibility and innovation for a new airline's Brazil-Portugal route. The solution transformed traditional entertainment systems into a comprehensive flight experience platform.
Role
Product Designer
Industry
Aviation
Duration
4 weeks
Team Size
Solo Project
Status
Award-Winning Design
Context
As an attorney transitioning into UX design, this competition project presented my first major design challenge. The brief called for an innovative entertainment system for a new airline, with specific emphasis on accessibility and cost-effectiveness. Traditional in-flight entertainment systems often fail to consider diverse user needs or leverage modern technology effectively.
Through extensive research into aviation standards, competitor systems, and passenger behaviors, I uncovered opportunities to reimagine the entire in-flight experience. This included analyzing both direct competitors on the Brazil-Portugal route and industry leaders worldwide to understand best practices and pain points.
Opportunity
Research revealed several key challenges in current in-flight systems:
Limited accessibility features for visually impaired passengers
Poor integration with passengers' personal devices
Inefficient communication systems between passengers and crew
Lack of real-time information about flight amenities
Underutilization of entertainment systems for providing flight information
These insights led to identifying opportunities for creating a more integrated, accessible, and informative system that could serve all passengers while differentiating the airline in a competitive market.
Solution
Developed a comprehensive in-flight system featuring:
Dynamic bathroom availability tracking with sensor integration
Bluetooth device pairing for personal device integration
Automated FAQ system to reduce crew workload
Accessible interface with screen reader compatibility
Customizable home screen with widget-based organization
Multi-language support with cultural content focus
Real-time flight information and interactive 3D mapping
The design process included creation of:
Detailed user personas based on research
Comprehensive design system
Interactive prototype
Accessibility guidelines
User flow documentation
Results
Won 2nd Place in TheStarter UX Design Competition
Created comprehensive in-flight entertainment system
Developed accessible design system for diverse user groups
Designed innovative features like dynamic bathroom availability
Successfully integrated passenger device pairing system
Key Takeaways
Deep research is crucial for understanding complex domains
Accessibility can drive innovation rather than limit it
User personas help validate design decisions
Integration of physical and digital systems creates unique value
Career transition projects benefit from transferable skills
