Questology UGC Plateform
Amplifying engagement with user generated content.
Questology is a platform for live social media displays at major events (SXSW, FrancoFolies, F1 Grand Prix) with built-in real-time moderation tools, customizable streams to boost audience engagement.
Massive LED display
Main screen at Festival d'été de Québec.
UGC Stream
Live user generated content grid.
UGC Stream
Live user generated content grid.
The situation
Events like music festivals, fashion shows, and fintech conferences thrive on audience interaction, but many struggled to harness the power of user-generated content (UGC) in real time. For Francos de Montréal and Festival d'été de Québec and their sponsor Bell, we needed a solution to display live social media content on massive screens, creating a dynamic dialogue with the crowd.
The mission
I had to design a platform that was easy to set up for clients, flexible for any display, and lightweight enough to stream UGC smoothly all while running on the client’s computer and casting to Chromecast dongles. The UGC streams had to be easily customizable so we could match the client’s brand.
UGC Stream management
Real-time UGC stream management screen.
The process
To ensure smooth streaming, I prioritized performance and simplicity. The platform had to:
- Run seamlessly on client hardware (no heavy servers).
- Cast flawlessly to Chromecast without lag.
- Support any display size or resolution.
- Be easily customisable
I designed an intuitive, end-to-end workflow for clients, starting with one-click social account connections (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) and hashtag-based UGC streams to pull content in real time. Users could easily customize what appeared on-screen with drag-and-drop display management.
To tackle the unpredictability of UGC, I built a two-layer moderation system: a customizable lexicon automatically flagged problematic content (e.g., profanity, spam, competitors), while a queue system allowed community managers to approve, hide, or ban content and users on the fly.
UGC stream rhythm
Rhythm bar chart from the analytics screen.
Display management
List of displays and UGC streams settings.
Reflections
The platform wowed audiences at first, the novelty of seeing their posts live on giant screens was a game-changer. But we quickly learned: UGC volume varied wildly. Some events (like corporate gatherings) had sparse engagement, while others (like Francos) flooded the system with content. The plateform was easy to use, allowing non-technical teams (like event staff) to set up and manage streams without training and guarantee maximum impact on:
- Audience Engagement: Attendees loved seeing their content live, boosting social sharing and event buzz.
- Sponsor Value: For Bell at Francos and Festival d'été de Québec, the platform turned passive viewers into active participants, amplifying brand visibility.
- Scalability: Proved adaptable for any event type, from intimate gatherings to massive festivals.