Designing a More Empowered Twitch Experience for Mobile Streamers
Reimagining creator tools for Twitch mobile to bridge the gap between inspiration and activation — all from the palm of your hand.
✨A case study for an unsolicited addition to the Twitch mobile app in 2021✨
(All information in this case study is my own and does not necessarily reflect the views of Twitch)
Project Overview
Project Overview
TL;DR
I increased streamers’ awareness and sentiments toward Twitch’s mobile app by making core streamer tools available in the app itself.
Who
Twitch (Client), streamers/content creators (Users)
What
Workflow improvement, UI design, prototyping
Result
Overall experience rating of 4.7/5 ⭐️ when testing a prototype of the new streamer tools on the mobile app
Tools
Google Forms
Figma
FigJam
Team
Project Lead (me)
My Role
User Research
UX/UI Design
Wireframing
Prototyping
User Testing
Timeline
Overall 2 months
Discovery & Define: 4 weeks
Design & Testing: 4 weeks
The Problem
The Twitch mobile app wasn’t keeping up with the needs of modern streamers. While desktop creators enjoyed a robust suite of tools, mobile users had limited options for setup, engagement, and analytics. This created friction — especially for creators who stream on the go or multitask with second screens.
TL;DR: mobile streamers were flying blind with no way to trigger events or track performance in real time.
The Opportunity
Instead of attempting to replicate the desktop experience, I focused on how mobile could enhance a creator's workflow as a companion — not just a smaller screen. Think: backstage pass, sidekick, control panel. With the right tools, mobile could be a powerful source of streamer autonomy.
Process
To ground the vision in real user needs, I combined:
Competitive analysis (YouTube Live, Discord, TikTok Studio)
Stream simulations to map mental models
User interviews with creators who juggle mobile and desktop streaming
Rapid prototyping and feedback loops using Figma and remote testing
One insight stood out: creators wanted to feel in control, even when using limited hardware.
Solutions
Stream Deck Lite (Mobile Controls)
An on-screen command center tailored for streamers — customizable buttons for scenes, sounds, polls, and mod tools, all optimized for thumb-tapping.
Real-time Analytics Panel
Mini dashboard showing viewer count, chat sentiment, stream duration, and key triggers — so creators can stay informed without breaking flow.
Both tools were intentionally lightweight, quick to load, and designed with cognitive load in mind.
Results
Streamers described the new tools as “liberating” and “exactly what I’ve been missing.” The designs were reviewed by creators ranging from casual streamers to full-time partners.
While still a concept, the prototype sparked internal conversations around mobile-first tooling and has potential applications for on-the-go creators across verticals.
“Looks awesome!!! And I see my name! I’m so proud of you, friend.”
– MoatSimulator
“I really like your Twitch mobile app, though I had a little trouble reading it.”
– Chumblago13
“I’d actually use this. Every stream.”
– Anonymous Tester
Reflection
This project reminded me that creators aren’t looking for more features — they want better-timed ones. Great design means removing the roadblocks between “I have an idea” and “I’m live.”
If I had more time, I’d explore deeper integration with custom alerts, OBS sync, and voice-activated commands.