Context
OMNI is a highly regarded modular content hub app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, built around the Stremio addon API. It lets users create fully customizable home screens with adjustable shelves, catalog groups, custom filters, and integrated metadata/streams/subtitles from third-party addons. A key part of making these personalized libraries feel polished and intuitive is custom thumbnails (1200×630px) for catalog shortcuts and hero/featured items—yet many users struggle with inconsistent or time-consuming creation using generic tools like Canva or Photoshop.
The Challenge
Identify a real friction point in the OMNI ecosystem: enabling non-designers to quickly produce consistent, brand-aligned thumbnails that match popular streaming aesthetics (Netflix drama, Disney+ magic, Crunchyroll edge, etc.) without leaving the browser or learning complex software.
My Approach
- Conducted lightweight user research via OMNI Discord/Reddit communities to map pain points (time spent, lack of presets, readability issues on TV).
- Defined core requirements: real-time preview, streaming-service presets, minimal steps, mobile-friendly, zero backend/login.
- Designed a single-page, minimalist interface prioritizing speed and visual feedback.
- Built entirely client-side with HTML5 Canvas + JavaScript for instant rendering and privacy.
- Iterated through Figma prototypes → usability testing with 5 OMNI users → refinements (tooltips, reset button, live updates).
Key Features & Design Decisions
- 15+ Streaming Presets — One-click application of authentic gradients, color palettes, and typography (Inter font) for services like Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Crunchyroll, Plex, Prime Video, HBO Max/Max, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, ESPN+, Showtime, Starz, YouTube.
- Live Canvas Preview — Every change (title text, background upload, gradient toggle, color pick) updates instantly for rapid iteration.
- Customization Layer — Upload poster art/backgrounds, solid color fallback, adjustable gradient overlay.
- Export — One-click download of production-ready 1200×630 PNG.
- Mobile-First & Responsive — Works smoothly on iPhone/iPad for on-the-go OMNI catalog management.
- Outcome Metrics (from testing): ~80% reduction in creation time (2–4 min vs. 10–30+), SUS 85/100, 100% task success rate.
Impact & Learnings
OmniTG has become a small but appreciated utility in the OMNI community, helping users elevate their home screen aesthetics and encouraging more catalog curation. The project reinforced the power of niche, problem-specific tools: deep context understanding + ruthless minimalism → high usability in under 5 steps.
This side project showcases end-to-end ownership: user research → interaction design → visual style → frontend implementation → testing/iteration, all targeted at a passionate niche audience.
Try OmniTG live → https://omnitg.netlify.app/
[Read the full UX case study → (link to your detailed write-up or PDF)]
Perfect for a portfolio section titled “Side Projects”, “Tools for Creators”, or “Niche UX Solutions”. Let me know if you’d like variations (shorter/longer, more emphasis on tech stack, or formatted with bullet hierarchy for LinkedIn/Behance).