HP Film Scan
Adapting a Film Digitzer to a Touch Screen Interface to Store Memories of a Lifetime
Overview
The HP Film Scan is a modern reinterpretation of C+A Global's best-selling film digitization device.
The challenge was to eliminate five physical buttons, introduce a basic touchscreen, and add new editing features, all without compromising usability.
This product held significant importance, as it was a top-selling item, with an exceptionally low return rate of just 0.2 percent, compared to an industry average of 10 percent.
Defining the Problem
Our task was to retain all core functionality of the original product with physical buttons, while updating the user interface for touchscreen input. The hardware imposed several constraints, including limited processing power and restricted animation support.
Our design goals focused on replicating and enhancing the original digitization workflow. We had to ensure a clean visual hierarchy that could replace the tactile feedback of physical buttons.
We also aimed to simplify onboarding, knowing that users wouldn’t have access to extensive tutorials.
Researching for a Unique Device Type
Market research showed very few direct competitors. Our main references were other Kodak products, like Kodak Reels and the earlier Slide N Scan. Since there were no existing models with comparable UI/UX, we had to approach the design from first principles.
Identifying Our Target User
The primary users were typically people over the age of 60 and their families, who were looking to preserve old memories. Secondary users included adult children helping their parents.
This user base required large, clearly labelled buttons, minimal cognitive load, and immediate feedback through visual cues such as toast messages and progress indicators.
Mapping out of Wireframes
We began by creating multiple flow variations to support the core task of inserting film, capturing an image, and saving it to an SD card. Because we were removing physical buttons, we had to rethink how users would interact with the device.
All primary actions were prioritised visually on screen.
Wireframes explored simplified flows to ensure key tasks remained intuitive. Particular focus was given to preserving the digitization experience from the original product while preparing the interface for future feature additions.
Showcasing a Simple Prototype at CES 2024 Trade Show
We built a working prototype quickly to present at CES 2024. It included only the most essential flow: inserting film and capturing an image.
Feedback from event attendees validated our core assumptions. Most users found the capture function intuitive. Editing features were less well received and were flagged for revision.
Our stakeholders wanted to modernize the UI without losing the recognisability and dependability of the original product. The new design had to deliver an updated experience while retaining user trust and product familiarity.
Upgrading the UI & Redesigning Based on Factory Limitations & Feedback from HP
The factory confirmed several hardware constraints that shaped the final feature set. Onboarding animations and the date and time setting feature had to be removed due to chip limitations. Also, the device could only output BMP file formats. Unexpectedly, slideshow functionality turned out to be feasible and was reinstated late in the process.
HP reviewed our initial UI and raised concerns around icon clarity. In response, we redesigned icons for each film type, making sure they were visually distinct and recognisable. This improved visual communication and ensured first-time users could navigate without confusion.
Delivering the New Features List
The high-fidelity prototype was submitted to the factory for development. As part of the handoff, we audited each developer build and documented inconsistencies between the shipped UI and our Figma specifications. Maintaining parity with the original Slide N Scan experience remained a top priority throughout.
New Features List
- A redesigned home screen that balances simplicity with functional clarity
- Dynamic SD card and error states, paired with toast notifications
- Subtle animations that enhance UX without overloading the hardware
- Slideshow mode for sequential viewing of digitised film
- Editing tools including contrast adjustment, frame resizing, and zoom
These updates create a more capable device that feels modern without overwhelming the user.
Metrics/Impact
The product is in production. Post-launch metrics will focus on:
- Adoption and frequency of use of editing features
- Success rate in completing digitisation tasks without onboarding
- Error rates related to tapping, flow confusion, or navigation failure
Learnings & Takeaways
Designing for reduced input required aggressive prioritisation. Hardware limitations forced us to make critical decisions early in the design cycle. Touchscreen design could not replicate the reliability of physical buttons, so we had to build new affordances to guide users.
Supporting an elderly audience meant thinking beyond “simple” and instead designing for habits, expectations, and ease of correction. Frame adjustment and zoom tools needed particular attention, as they were both powerful and unfamiliar to our audience.
Clarity, feedback, and flow simplicity were essential.