SONY
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PXW-ZERO
OVERVIEW
ABOUT
With the increased use of mobile devices in the news-gathering industry, there was an immediate need to develop a mobile application that empowers remote news contributors.
RESULT
Through research into existing smartphone recording apps, I identified key gaps for professional and news use. I focused on enabling remote camera control, streamlining clip transfers to stations, and allowing stations to send shoot plans directly to field reporters. I also explored lightweight editing tools that would let users quickly edit footage directly on their mobile devices. The final result was a fast, flexible, and easy-to-use solution tailored to the real-world needs of reporters in the field.
COMPANY
Sony Electronics
ROLE
Lead Product Designer – Conducted a comprehensive research study of the competitive market, identifying potential gaps that could enable Sony to gain a competitive advantage. Developed all application concepts and designs, prioritizing user-friendliness for remote news reporters.
PROJECT GOAL
Our goal was to design a mobile tool that was fast, intuitive, and required no training—so reporters could focus on the story, not the software. In high-pressure, time-sensitive news environments, every second counts. I set out to eliminate friction by creating a solution that prioritized speed, simplicity, and reliability. Whether capturing breaking news or sending footage to the station, the app needed to support rapid workflows and enable users of all skill levels to work quickly and confidently in the field.
PROCESS
The design process began with close collaboration between the design team and internal planning and research groups. I gathered detailed feature requests from stakeholders across news operations, production, and engineering to understand the specific pain points faced by field reporters and newsroom teams. This ensured that every design decision was anchored in real-world needs, particularly around speed, simplicity, and reliability.
With clear requirements in hand, I conducted a competitive analysis of existing smartphone recording and streaming apps, focusing specifically on professional and broadcast-centric tools. I then broke this research down into four core pillars to assess where current offerings fell short and where we could create meaningful improvements.
4 CORE PILLARS
01 / CAMERA UTILITES
Focused on enabling both direct recording from mobile devices and remote control of field cameras. Features included live monitoring, camera control (zoom, focus, exposure), and simplified switching—all within a unified mobile interface.
02 / LIVE STREAMING
Streamlined the process of broadcasting live video from mobile to remote destinations. Emphasis was placed on simple streaming setup and reliable connectivity—critical for breaking news coverage.
03 / VIDEO EDITING (ON-DEVICE)
Provided basic editing tools for trimming and sequencing clips directly on the phone. The goal was to support fast, in-field edits to prepare footage for upload or broadcast without requiring a full editing suite.
04 / EDITING AND TRANSFER
Enabled reporters to quickly tag, edit, and send recorded clips back to the newsroom. Features focused on minimizing delays, preserving metadata, and integrating smoothly into existing newsroom workflows.
DESIGN EXECUTION
After defining the key features within each of the four pillars, I transitioned into the design execution phase—starting with detailed process flows to map out user interactions across various scenarios. These flows informed low-fidelity wireframes, allowing us to quickly test layout concepts and user journeys. Once validated, I moved into high-fidelity designs that reflected the final visual direction and interaction patterns, ready for prototyping and handoff to development. These designs balanced functionality with simplicity, ensuring a fast and intuitive experience for users in the field.
Users needed an immediate recording experience, without friction or unnecessary steps. Whether capturing a single take or multiple versions, users needed flexibility to reshoot, add voiceovers, trim clips, or quickly share them. To support this, I designed a streamlined post-recording experience that prioritized speed and simplicity.
Users could now push content directly to any destination from the post-record preview, reducing cognitive load and saving time in fast-paced news environments. Media could also be quickly added to existing projects for future editing, enabling immediate delivery and longer-term production workflows.
/ RECORD AND TRANSFER
Basic workflow for recording, post-record review, selecting destination, and monitoring upload progress.
/ ADD TO PROJECT
User can add recording to a project for future use or further editing.
/ ADD AUDIO OVERLAY
From post-recording, user can re-record audio or add an audio overlay.
Field teams often work with remote camera kits that require reliable control and visibility from a distance. Users needed the ability to connect to a remote camera, monitor its feed, and manage media without being physically present. To support this, I designed a seamless remote interface that allowed users to initiate recordings, add shot marks, and view or transfer captured media directly from the remote device.
In addition, users could access shoot planning metadata sent from the newsroom, helping align field capture with editorial intent. I also provided access to key camera settings, enabling users to view or adjust device configurations as needed. These features gave contributors more control over remote gear, improved coordination with news teams, and reduced time lost to setup or miscommunication in the field.
/ TRANSFER DEVICE MEDIA
Select remote device and manage media transfers to designated location.
/ VIEW AND EDIT DEVICE MEDIA
View, tag, or import media from remote device to local project.
/ CONTROL REMOTE DEVICE
Remotely control, preview, and record from connected camera device.
/ VIEW PLANNING DATA
Access and edit shoot planning metadata sent from the newsroom.
/ DEVICE SETTINGS
View and adjust remote device settings as needed.
Field editors needed a lightweight but capable editing workflow directly on their mobile devices. To support this, I designed a timeline-based editing interface that allowed users to quickly select media to start a new project or add to an existing one. Users could view and trim clips before adding them to the timeline, ensuring only the essential footage made it into the final edit.
From the timeline, users could shoot new clips, pull in media from the device or connected remote sources, and layer in additional elements such as audio tracks or title overlays. To extend flexibility within the constraints of a mobile interface, I introduced the ability to group multiple tracks into a nested timeline—enabling more complex edits without overwhelming the user. Once the project was assembled, users could export the edit or share it directly with newsroom NLE editors, allowing for a smooth handoff to final production and broadcast workflows.
/ EDIT TIMELINE CONTENT
Create or open a project to edit clips and content in a timeline view, including trim, reorder, and layer actions.
/ USE NESTED TIMELINES
Group and refine multiple tracks using nested timelines for more complex edits.
/ ADD TEXT OVERLAYS
Add text overlays such as titles, lower thirds, or captions to enhance storytelling.
/ EXPORT OR SHARE PROJECT
Export or share the project directly to remote systems or newsroom editors for final production.
© 2025 TIM MAIR
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