(Limited Preview -- full case study coming soon)
Problem
Playbook, Disney Animation’s internal production management tool, is widely used to coordinate complex film schedules.
While powerful, its Milestones module didn’t fully support how different roles (department managers, associate producers, finance teams, and studio leadership) needed to view and compare timelines.
As a result, teams were forced to work in silos on other platforms that catered to their individual needs, making it harder to align on planning and decision-making.
Process
Over 12 weeks, my process included:
User research & interviews across production, finance, and leadership roles to uncover pain points
Workflow mapping to visualize how timelines, milestones, and privacy needs intersected
Design explorations in Figma to reimagine how Playbook could better surface data and empower users
Cross-functional collaboration with engineers and my mentor to align feasibility with creative solutions
Solution
I redesigned the Milestones module, introducing clearer department timelines, a leadership-specific view for strategic decision-making, and controls for privacy and sandboxing scenarios. My work allowed Playbook to better support:
Faster comparisons across films and departments
Clearer communication for studio-wide decisions
Introduced private testing for timeline changes
Outcome
I pitched my work to the VP and Director of Production Planning, who saw potential for these updates to better support leadership decision-making.
While I can’t share visuals at the moment, the project reinforced my skills in user research, workflow design, and communicating design ideas to both technical and executive audiences.
A full case study will be available soon!
Other Highlights
Beyond my project, the summer was filled with moments that made the internship unforgettable:
Got an early look at in-progress Disney Animation films during studio screenings.
Made more than a few trips to Disneyland (perk of being nearby!).
Turned matcha-making into my version of coffee chats, a way to connect with others at the studio and grow a small community of matcha enthusiasts.
In the meantime…
Make sure to check out my other projects too!
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Delta Airlines
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