Internal production system for a VFX studio
Initially brought in for a UI refresh, I proposed a full system rethink after uncovering operational breakdowns. Joined full-time to redesign how 200+ artists and 15+ managers coordinate ~10,000 tasks per film project.
Result: transformed a failing tool into a trusted operational system.
Problem
The production tool didn’t reflect real studio workflows → teams relied on Excel and workarounds.
Constraints
Legacy backend · live production environment · heavy datasets · cross-department needs
Approach
- Conducted cross-functional research across 8 departments
- Reframed UI cleanup into workflow & system redesign
- Rebuilt information architecture around real operations
- Introduced Gantt-based scheduling to replace Excel tracking
- Optimized data loading to reduce performance bottlenecks
- Standardized terminology & reduced cognitive noise
- Designed role-specific dashboards & operational metrics
Impact
- Adoption increased from <10% → 97%
- System Usability Scale improved to 90+
- Eliminated parallel Excel workflows
- Significantly improved load performance
- Enabled real-time operational visibility
Deep dive →