Challenge
When Google Vids first launched, its feature set was still very baseline. Most of our users were novice creators accustomed to working in Docs and Slides, so the videos they produced often looked like animated presentations. Templates quickly became a critical lever — both to inspire users and to demonstrate the creative potential of the editor. The challenge was to design templates that would push beyond “animated slides” and showcase the full expressive range of video, while still remaining simple enough for beginners to use.
Approach
As Creative Director, I defined the vision, project scope, and creative principles that would guide this initiative. I led two design agencies — one in Brooklyn and one in Amsterdam — directing a team of twelve visual and motion designers and two writers. My role was to communicate the creative direction, ensure we pushed toward more cinematic outputs (full-bleed formats, dynamic editing styles, stronger sound design, less text and more visual storytelling), and at the same time keep the experience approachable for novice users.
Beyond the creative direction, I managed the operational backbone of the project — overseeing contracts, aligning schedules, and making sure we stayed on track for our launch milestones. I also facilitated cross-functional approvals and feedback sessions, ensuring stakeholder buy-in while keeping quality standards high. A key part of my role was also driving innovation: we incorporated emerging AI capabilities such as Veo 3 for bespoke footage, AI avatars, and visual consistency and creativity in lighting, grading, and overall look and feel.
Avatar Templates
Bringing a Human Touch to Enterprise Video
Result
The outcome was a suite of templates that dramatically elevated what users could create with Google Vids. The work wowed internal teams, demonstrating a level of cinematic quality they hadn’t thought possible within the product. In user testing, participants described the templates as modern, professional, and time-saving — making them feel capable of producing videos far beyond “animated slides.”
These templates are planned to roll out in phases through 2025 and 2026, setting a new creative standard for Google Vids and directly supporting its mission to democratize video creation at work.