PRODUCT DESIGN
This portfolio highlights my work in digital product design, focusing on my development of intuitive and engaging UX and UI that elevated the guest experience in diverse environments, ranging from restaurants to retail spaces. It showcases a variety of user experiences I created, including mobile applications, digital signage, music experiences, interactive television, and more.
UI/UX DESIGN
AMI CO-PILOT APP
Route management in the amusement and vending industries has always been inherently mobile, requiring professionals to be on the go as they maintain equipment, collect cash, and travel between various locations. However, the tools available to these professionals often failed to support this dynamic nature of their work. For instance, jukebox operators may oversee anywhere from 10 to 200 locations, yet managing these devices typically necessitated physical presence, access to a PC, or reliance on a support hotline. Similarly, bar staff needed efficient ways to manage devices after installation.
To address these challenges, I collaborated with AMI's engineering and product management teams to develop the AMI Co-Pilot app, an innovative mobile solution designed to streamline operations and enhance mobility for professionals in the field.
UI/UX DESIGN
AMI MUSIC APP
Dating back to the 1920s, the jukebox industry has thrived for over a century, weathering difficult challenges such as wartime, economic depressions, and even a global pandemic. In response, the industry has evolved, transforming into large, cloud-connected touchscreens that not only illuminate their surroundings but also enhance the jukebox user experience. Among these modern advancements, the ability to control jukeboxes via smartphones has unlocked their full potential for profitability.
During my tenure as design lead at AMI Music, we facilitated touchless engagement with over 30,000 digital jukeboxes, achieving remarkable milestones that included 2.3 million active users, 7 million song purchases per month, and a shift of over 35% of song selections to mobile devices, resulting in significant cash flow benefits.
UI/UX DESIGN
DIGITAL SIGNAGE SOFTWARE
When AMI Entertainment introduced a music video catalog, which connected jukeboxes to television screens in venues, it uncovered a new opportunity to offer promotional services to customers. The goal was to develop a digital signage system that seamlessly integrated with the music video entertainment experience.
This web-based tool, branded as AMI Ad Manager and accessible through the AMI operator website, later expanded to mobile, enabling venues to create and display ads on AMI products. I was responsible for leading the strategy and development of a comprehensive library of customizable digital signage templates, as well as designing the mobile tool’s UI and UX to ensure it was intuitive to use across various platforms.
UX DESIGN
BG MUSIC + ENGAGEMENT PLATFORM
The background music industry, comprised of companies that curate and deliver music for businesses like gyms, restaurants, and retail shops, faces unique challenges. These include creating an atmosphere that aligns with a brand’s identity while also catering to the ever-changing music tastes of diverse audiences.
At AMI Entertainment, my work focused on developing an interactive video component designed to complement and enhance the background music experience.
This feature allowed users to discover artists and songs playing in real-time and even influence the playlist through the AMI Music app. The video component also integrated a digital signage feature, providing additional promotional opportunities for venues.
UX DESIGN
INTERACTIVE TELEVISION
Television content plays a significant role in contemporary entertainment, and not just at home. It’s rare to enter any public space without being surrounded by screens, but unless there's a major sporting event, people often tune them out in favor of their smartphones. Interactive television aims to bridge this gap by offering content that viewers can both watch and engage with in real time.
In the early 2010s, I worked on the development of a dedicated trivia channel, allowing viewers to compete against friends, local bar patrons, and participants nationwide. My responsibilities included overseeing the user experience for both mobile and TV platforms, managing technical documentation, and leading the art, engineering, and content development teams to ensure a cohesive and engaging experience.
UX DESIGN
JUKEBOX SOFTWARE
Version 5.0 of the AMI Jukebox software represented a pivotal milestone, featuring the most significant user interface overhaul in over a decade. Tailored specifically for bars across North America, this state-of-the-art software introduced innovative ways for users to browse and play songs and music videos. Understanding the critical impact of selecting the 'right music' on consumer behavior, customer retention, and spending on food and drinks, the software was meticulously designed to recommend artists and tracks that resonate with the musical preferences of typical patrons while enhancing the ambiance envisioned by venue owners.
Throughout the development of this jukebox software, my responsibilities included architecting the user experience and providing guidance on visual design, ensuring a seamless and engaging interface for users.
UX DESIGN
MEGATOUCH GAMES
Before the rise of the smartphone, touchscreen video games served as a popular form of barroom entertainment in taverns around the globe. If unfamiliar, during the 90s and 00s, Megatouch was the world’s premiere touchscreen amusement system. With hundreds of games such as 11-Ball, Photo Hunt, Trivia Whiz and more, these coin-operated machines served up countless hours of nightly entertainment. Every game was intentionally crafted to end and provide a final score within 3 minutes, betting on the competitive nature of humans to say, "Oh, I can top that." And did it work to drive revenue? You betcha – to the tune of 5.5 billion annual paid plays. It was an incredibly unique place to earn your stripes as a designer, because every UX you created, regardless of complexity, had just 3 minutes to convert a first-time user into a repeat customer.
"A.J.’s UI and UX skills are second to none. He has a true gift for bringing concepts to life."
Brennan McTernan, Technology Officer