Flow CMS
Introducing FLOW: the cutting-edge web content solution crafted by BrightSites, a trailblazer in AI-driven technology for over a decade. Trusted by prestigious publications such as The Independent and Evening Standard, FLOW revolutionizes content creation with its real-time CMS. Seamlessly blending data-driven AI, FLOW empowers journalists to craft compelling narratives across a spectrum of formats—from breaking news to long-form features. With intuitive tools like embed recommendations and intelligent content categorization, FLOW fosters a modern, engaging content experience. Notably, FLOW’s multilingual capabilities and built-in translation tools simplify global content management. At its core lies FLOW AI, pioneering machine learning that continually refines recommendations, from multimedia suggestions within the CMS to personalized links on websites.
Upon joining BrightSites, I embarked on a transformative journey as the sole in-house UX/UI Designer. Tasked with revitalizing FLOW during a period of expansion, I spearheaded the renovation process, elevating both its UI and functionality to align with cutting-edge technological innovations. Working tirelessly to infuse FLOW with user-centric design principles, I championed the integration of new features that would enhance user experience and propel BrightSites to the forefront of the digital landscape.
Redesign
The redesign of the CMS was driven by a comprehensive approach to enhance user experience, ensuring intuitive navigation, streamlined workflows, and accessibility compliance in accordance with WCAG standards. Beyond aesthetics, the overhaul aimed to optimize performance, accommodate future scalability, and align with the company’s evolving brand identity. Additionally, I played a crucial role in creating and maintaining a scalable design system, ensuring consistency and efficiency across the platform’s interface. By incorporating iterative user feedback, the redesigned interface offers a seamless and efficient content management experience, providing a competitive edge in the market while catering to the diverse needs of our user base.
Here’s a condensed glimpse of our design system.
A curated selection of pages showcasing the transformation from the old design to the new:
New Features
Throughout our journey, we’ve continually experimented with innovative features to elevate user experience. Here, we showcase some standout additions: a robust notifications system, an intuitive inline comment system, and a customisable dashboard, all designed to enhance productivity and streamline workflows.
Notification system
Inline comments
Customisable Dashboard
AI Newsreader
Flow has consistently pushed boundaries in the realm of AI, and my role has involved spearheading various AI-driven features. Partnering with NationalWorld, a forward-thinking publication, we embarked on an ambitious project: creating an AI fictional presenter—an avatar delivering news updates akin to a TV broadcaster.
Initially utilized for weather forecasts, this innovative tool gained traction, earning recognition in a PresseGazette article as ‘the first serious UK attempt to deploy an AI newsreader.’
My pivotal involvement extended beyond designing the CMS backend modal to conceptualizing and orchestrating the integration of weather APIs and crafting a visually seamless layout. I spearheaded the selection of Elai, an advanced AI software, as the tool our programmers could utilize to inject API data seamlessly, ensuring optimal performance and cutting-edge capabilities. This project stands as a testament to our commitment to pioneering advancements in AI-driven journalism.
In reflecting on the journey of transforming Flow, I am immensely proud of the strides we’ve made in redefining digital content creation. From the initial vision to the final implementation, our collaborative efforts have propelled Flow to new heights, cementing its status as a pioneering force in AI-driven journalism.
Through meticulous design iterations, innovative feature development, and strategic partnerships, we’ve not only enhanced user experience but also redefined the landscape of digital storytelling.
As we continue to evolve and innovate, I am excited about the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. Flow represents more than just a CMS—it’s a testament to our passion for pushing boundaries and shaping the future of media. I am grateful for the opportunity to have played a role in this transformative journey and look forward to the continued impact of Flow in the ever-changing digital landscape.