We Are Colony
Designing a streaming platform with a difference
We Are Colony is a streaming service that connects fans to exceptional films and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, offering a truly immersive experience with award-winning filmmakers and their favourite talent.
As the sole designer at this exciting start-up, I was involved from day one—guiding the design process through the earliest stages of idea generation to the public beta launch. I worked hand-in-hand with the engineering team to create all the UX deliverables, including wireframes, prototypes, and interaction flows, and built the visual identity and design system from scratch. Alongside this, I conducted ongoing testing and analysis as we iterated on platform features. My close collaboration with the founders also helped shape the platform strategy, playing a key role in securing crucial funding rounds.
Kicking off with pen and paper
I love starting with pen and paper. It’s my way of getting ideas down quickly and collaborating with others to bring clarity to a project. By sketching potential components for the platform together, we were able to define the essential building blocks for the design system, ensuring we were on the right track from the get-go.
Creating a visual identity that stands out
We Are Colony is all about delivering ‘special edition’ digital releases—bundling quality films with exclusive behind-the-scenes extras like deleted scenes, interviews, production diaries, storyboards, and more. The design challenge wasn’t just about creating another streaming platform—it was about making sure the design matched the platform’s unique offering and stood out in a crowded space.
I knew users would spend long periods of time on a content-rich platform, often in low-light environments, so a dark UI was a natural choice. But then came the question—how do we make it memorable?
Why orange?
Orange was a deliberate choice. It’s a colour that embodies creativity, enthusiasm, and adventure—values that perfectly align with the platform’s mission to connect users with unique content. By choosing orange, I created a visual identity that wasn’t just functional but also an extension of the platform’s bold, innovative ethos.
In addition, after reviewing other platforms in the space, I realised orange was underutilised in streaming design, making it the perfect choice to help Colony stand out. Pairing orange with teal for highlights gave the platform a distinctive, fresh look that reflected its creative spirit.
I was honoured when The Drum Awards for Digital Industries awarded Colony’s website Best Website (Use of Visual Design). The combination of bold design and a user-friendly interface paid off in spades.
A strategy for success
Beyond design, I partnered with the founders to shape the platform strategy—this was critical in securing funding and ensuring the platform’s longevity and success. Sarah, the CEO, had this to say about our collaboration:
"Vix is a highly creative and passionate UX and visual designer who led the UX design on the development of the We Are Colony platform from the early idea stages through to public beta and beyond. Her ability to empathise with the user is what makes her stand out—she puts them at the heart of everything she does. She simplifies complex problems into easy-to-understand solutions and is dedicated, enthusiastic, and collaborative. I give her my highest recommendation."
Key stats
75+
Distributed IP from over 75 licensors
130+
Scaled to registered users in 130+ countries
100+
Purchasers in 100+ countries.
Colony was venture backed by Archer Gray, Firestartr and Seedcamp.
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