from print to interactive tv: designing figaro live

Project Overview

As the Figaro app neared its major redesign launch, I embraced a new challenge: designing Figaro Live, an interactive 24/7 live TV platform. Our ambitious goal was to combine Le Figaro’s trusted journalism with the interactivity of platforms like Netflix, Facebook Live, and YouTube. The platform allowed viewers to engage in real-time by asking questions, participating in polls, and sharing opinions that could directly influence the live broadcast. This project represented a bold leap forward for Le Figaro, merging traditional journalism with modern digital interactivity.

With a €7 million investment over three years, Figaro Live showcased Le Figaro’s commitment to innovation, positioning it as a leader in digital transformation within the French media landscape.

Why Launch a TV Channel?

Le Figaro had long established itself as a media leader, but launching Figaro Live addressed critical industry trends and opportunities:

• Rising Video Consumption: The proliferation of 4G and fiber networks fueled an explosion in video content consumption, creating lucrative opportunities for video advertising.
• Audience Expansion: Figaro Live aimed to attract a younger, more digitally native audience less connected to traditional newspapers.
• A New Stage for Established Programs: Popular video segments like “Le Talk Politique” and “Le BuzzTV” were reimagined as live, interactive programs to increase their reach and engagement.

From Vision to Reality: Designing a Groundbreaking Product

Building a Cross-Functional Squad

To bring Figaro Live to life, we formed a dedicated, cross-disciplinary squad comprising a product manager, a lead developer, a React/JS expert, a junior designer, and myself as the lead UX/UI designer. Our dedicated rooftop workspace fostered creativity, rapid iteration, and team alignment, enabling us to prototype and refine the platform with speed and precision.

Framing the Problem with Key Questions

This innovative venture required us to navigate uncharted territory. To chart a course, we asked:

1. What would captivate a younger audience?
   Could Le Figaro’s conservative brand adapt to appeal to younger, digitally native viewers while staying true to its journalistic integrity?
2. How could we differentiate from competitors?
   Emerging platforms like Periscope and Twitch were shaping live-streaming norms—what would set Figaro Live apart?
3. How do we balance innovation with accessibility?
   Interactive features needed to be intuitive and impactful without alienating loyal readers unfamiliar with live-streaming.

Designing and Defining Core Features

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Through benchmarking workshops, we drew inspiration from industry leaders like Netflix, YouTube, and Twitch, tailoring our approach to meet Figaro Live’s unique needs. Our feature set prioritized user engagement and customization:

• Interactive Tools: Hosts could launch live polls, gather viewer opinions, and invite reactions to specific moments during broadcasts.
• Live Chat and Replay: Viewers engaged in real-time and added comments during replays, ensuring continuous dialogue around key moments.
• Personalization: Users could save programs, customize their homepage, and track trending content.
• Simplified Interactions: Users had the option to hide interactive layers, keeping the experience focused and accessible.

Wireframing, Prototyping, and Testing

With clear objectives, we developed wireframes for the app’s core screens:

1. The Central Video Page: Featuring the live video, interactive elements, and program information in a clean, integrated layout.
2. The Homepage: Highlighting live broadcasts, personalized recommendations, and trending content.

Given Figaro Live’s confidential nature, usability testing was restricted to internal Figaro staff. Feedback from both tech-savvy and non-tech users helped refine the experience, ensuring it balanced intuitive interaction with journalistic gravitas.

Results and Impact

Figaro Live launched as a high-quality, interactive news platform, fundamentally reshaping how audiences engaged with Le Figaro’s content. Key outcomes included:

• Innovation in Journalism: Le Figaro pioneered a new model of live, interactive news, enhancing audience engagement and strengthening brand relevance.
• Team Collaboration: Working with talented colleagues like Nicolas Gautier and Arthur Fourniol, we transformed a complex vision into a cohesive, engaging platform.

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Beyond the Digital: Branding and Studio Design

Figaro Live wasn’t just about digital innovation; it extended into branding and studio design:

• On-Air Visual Identity: We created dynamic opening credits for programs, reinforcing the platform’s premium feel.
• Studio Design: To address privacy challenges in the open-plan newsroom studio, we designed custom glass filters for the broadcast area. These filters provided privacy for journalists while maintaining a professional aesthetic for live broadcasts.

Lessons in Design Leadership

This project highlighted the importance of combining user-centered design, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and bold innovation. As a design leader, I learned to:

• Drive alignment in uncharted territories by asking the right questions.
• Balance ambitious, forward-thinking features with simplicity and accessibility.
• Adapt legacy brands for the modern era without alienating their core audiences.

Figaro Live was a defining moment in my career, showcasing how intentional design leadership can push boundaries, create impact, and help legacy organizations embrace the future.