Uppy: UI for choosing between webcam audio-video/video-only/audio-only modes

[goto-bus-stop]

Developers can specify possible modes in the Webcam plugin options:

uppy.use(Webcam, {
  modes: [
    'video-only',
    'audio-only',
    'video-audio',
    'picture'
  ]
})

The picture mode gets a separate "snapshot" button in the UI, but the other modes all use the Record button to start and stop. There is currently no way for the user to decide which to use, of the three recording modes that use this button.

One option could be how Google Hangouts allows you to mute your microphone and webcam with two buttons.
Another option is to show a dropdown/select box somewhere where users can choose between recording modes.
Or, we could have separate buttons to start each type of recording. That would be very simple, but it might look cluttered.

[kvz]

Artur also had the idea of a countdown, so it goes 3... 2... 1... Snap! 📸 Similar tot PhotoBooth on macOS.

That discussion probably also should be included here

[goto-bus-stop]

And we could show a thingy like this in audio-only mode:

so you can tell that your mic is actually working :')
(Looking at you, Hangouts…)

[hedgerh]

I was going to open up a suggestion issue regarding the UI, but I'll just comment here.

I still really think you all need to hire a professional designer for Uppy. You've poured so much time and money into Uppy already. The current UI is on par with your competitors, but that isn't saying much. It isn't particularly modern or pop, and I don't think people are going to be particularly thrilled to have it on their website.

Why not hire a designer who can give it some real polish, keep things consistent, and make it something people are thrilled to have appear on their website? Something that's delightful to use and look at.

Paying developers to design is the same thing as paying a designer to develop. Sure, they may be able to get it together, but a professional is going to do a much, much better job.

[kvz]

Hey Harry, thanks sharing this!

I totally hear you. While I personally think Uppy does look modern and delightful, pops, and looks better than what's out there.... This may very well be attributed to the fact that I'm more a back-ender and lack the finesse of a designer. So, I'm likely easily pleased. I'm very willing to accept that shortcoming, and often in awe of what good designers and front-enders bring to the table.

It's also not the first time I've been surprised at how much better a product becomes when someone touches it who spent their mandatory 10k hours on refining a particular skill.
Did you have anyone in mind for this in particular?

What I can say in the meantime is that we've indeed attracted a designer to help out with all things Transloadit (so that would include our open source efforts like Uppy) so hopefully that will already give the project a notable boost for you in the short- to midterm. That said it certainly never hurts getting an extra pair of specialized eyeballs on a project like this, so if there's someone you think we should be talking to, I want to hear it 👍

[arturi]

I agree it could use some refinement, and we’ll be working on it. I was hoping @nqst will do an iteration, and then we could ask someone else if we feel like it.

[arturi]

Adding to backlog in changelog.md and closing for now, to keep the issue count at bay. Thanks!