Our focus at that time was the sports market. During our screensaver days we created interactive screensaver products for the NFL, Sports Illustrated, Golf Magazine, and others.

Interactive…screensavers?

You did not misread that. Our old desktop screensavers were interactive, which meant that when you moved the mouse, the screensaver didn’t automatically dismiss. Instead, the user could do things like advance images manually, click through on links that would launch a web browser, or in some instances even select items that would expand or open a new experience directly within the screensaver itself.

Interactivity isn’t the norm for screensavers, but this concept isn’t completely foreign to Apple. For years Apple has offered an iTunes Artwork screensaver for macOS that allows the user to rollover and select an album cover to play that album. Since moving the mouse doesn’t exit the screensaver, the user must either hit the Esc key on their keyboard or select the Exit button at the bottom right of the screen.

macOS iTunes Artwork screensaver

Apple TV screensaver concepts

Our concepts focus primarily on captivating imagery with subtle animations and transitions. Though the screensavers are actionable, interaction is kept to a minimum. Each concept needs to stand on its own and be able to hold the user’s attention through imagery or utilitarian communication even in a passive state.

Red Bull TV screensaver concept for Apple TV

Red Bull TV Daily Highlights

For example, in the Red Bull TV screensaver example, short videos promoting their best content of the day are presented highlighting the best in extreme sports, culture, and lifestyle. Users can select the title of a promoted clip at the bottom of the screen to launch Red Bull TV and watch the full show or video.