Making Film Distribution Simple

Making Film Distribution Simple

Led the design of a new project management tool that helps Disney’s production and distribution teams stay on top of hundreds of global releases. Partnering with Avanade, product, and engineering, we built a platform that turns complex workflows into clear, actionable insights.

Role:

Visual Designer II

Timeline:

8 week engagement

Team:

1 Product Manager, 1 Service Designer,
1 Design Lead, 1 Product Designer

Collaborators:

3 Disney Stakeholders

Users:

Production & Distribution Managers

Outcomes:

Well received new platform

Role:

Visual Designer II

Timeline:

8 week engagement

Team:

1 Product Manager, 1 Service Designer,
1 Design Lead, 1 Product Designer

Collaborators:

3 Disney Stakeholders

Users:

Production & Distribution Managers

Outcomes:

Well received new platform

Role:

Visual Designer II

Timeline:

8 week engagement

Team:

1 Product Manager, 1 Service Designer,
1 Design Lead, 1 Product Designer

Collaborators:

3 Disney Stakeholders

Users:

Production & Distribution Managers

Outcomes:

Well received new platform

Role:

Visual Designer II

Timeline:

8 week engagement

Team:

1 Product Manager, 1 Service Designer,
1 Design Lead, 1 Product Designer

Collaborators:

3 Disney Stakeholders

Users:

Production & Distribution Managers

Outcomes:

Well received new platform

Problem
Too many tools. Too much friction.
Too little clarity.

Disney’s legacy project management system was slow, fragmented, and confusing. Teams struggled to track milestones, manage tasks, and see what was happening across projects. Planners wasted time hunting for updates, resolving delays, and coordinating across departments.

Personas we interviewed to shape the new design and vision for the project tool
Personas we interviewed to shape the new design and vision for
the project tool
Research & Insights
Designing for different roles and needs

Our research uncovered how different types of managers used the current systems and where they got stuck. We found key insights that helped us design the right tool for all distribution and production teams.

Approach
Fast and iterative collaboration

Joining after the research phase, we used personas and user journeys to guide every design decision. Low-fidelity wireframes evolved into interactive prototypes, refined through usability testing. Collaboration with developers ensured the design was not only user-friendly but also scalable across Disney’s global teams.

01
Role-Based Dashboards

Planners and team members see projects and tasks relevant to them. Master planners get a complete view of all releases, milestones, and potential delays.

02
Milestone & Status Tracking

Color-coded indicators quickly highlight delayed tasks or at-risk projects, letting teams act before problems escalate.

03
Issues & Risks Table

Teams can track issues in real time, see ownership and status, and reference past reports to prevent repeated mistakes.

04
Active Tile Cards

Planners can instantly see which films are in progress, with clear visibility into domestic and international launch dates, upcoming milestones, and any flagged risks or issues.

Adoption & Impact
What Happened After Launch

The new platform transformed how Disney teams manage projects. By providing clarity, reducing friction, and making information actionable, the tool empowered teams to focus on delivering films on time and on budget. The project was recognized for its innovation and even nominated for an Academy Scientific and Technical Award.

Adoption & Impact
What Happened
After Launch

The new platform transformed how Disney teams manage projects. By providing clarity, reducing friction, and making information actionable, the tool empowered teams to focus on delivering films on time and on budget. The project was recognized for its innovation and even nominated for an Academy Scientific and Technical Award.

Adoption & Impact
What Happened After Launch

The new platform transformed how Disney teams manage projects. By providing clarity, reducing friction, and making information actionable, the tool empowered teams to focus on delivering films on time and on budget. The project was recognized for its innovation and even nominated for an Academy Scientific and Technical Award.

Adoption & Impact
What Happened After Launch

The new platform transformed how Disney teams manage projects. By providing clarity, reducing friction, and making information actionable, the tool empowered teams to focus on delivering films on time and on budget. The project was recognized for its innovation and even nominated for an Academy Scientific and Technical Award.

Connect

Let’s create your next big idea.

© 2025 Laura Ho Designs

Connect

Let’s create your next big idea.

© 2025 Laura Ho Designs

Connect

Let’s create your
next big idea.

© 2025 Laura Ho Designs

© 2025 Laura Ho Designs