loop |
Digital Product Design
loop |
Digital Product Design
From discovery to tested, interactive prototypes — a social media app for users to be part of the loop, or create one of their own.
From discovery to tested, interactive prototypes — a social media app for users to be part of the loop, or create one of their own.
From discovery to tested, interactive prototypes — a social media app for users to be part of the loop, or create one of their own.
From discovery to tested, interactive prototypes — a social media app for users to be part of the loop, or create one of their own.
Project Summary
Project Summary
loop is a social media platform that aims to foster community building with both people in close proximity to users and people afar. loop is unique in that it aims to help community building for both those that can do it with ease on their own and those that need a little encouragement, or at least the right place to do it.
loop is a social media platform that aims to foster community building with both people in close proximity to users and people afar. loop is unique in that it aims to help community building for both those that can do it with ease on their own and those that need a little encouragement, or at least the right place to do it.
Problem
Problem
Many individuals have different experiences when it comes to meeting new people and making new friends at varying levels of difficulty. Further, the pandemic has also fostered an environment that was introverted in nature, and many, in light of things “resuming” again, have encountered issues returning back to their previous levels of comfort in social situations.
Unfortunately with social media as it stands, there isn’t much support when it comes to connecting with people around you, beyond your bubble, and often leads to a false sense of connectedness to celebrities and public figures alike that really don’t provide much personal benefit. This, alongside followers, follower counts, and retweets/likes simply create an environment centered on superficial elements.
Many individuals have different experiences when it comes to meeting new people and making new friends at varying levels of difficulty. Further, the pandemic has also fostered an environment that was introverted in nature, and many, in light of things “resuming” again, have encountered issues returning back to their previous levels of comfort in social situations.
Unfortunately with social media as it stands, there isn’t much support when it comes to connecting with people around you, beyond your bubble, and often leads to a false sense of connectedness to celebrities and public figures alike that really don’t provide much personal benefit. This, alongside followers, follower counts, and retweets/likes simply create an environment centered on superficial elements.
Project Goals
Project Goals
Through research and testing, a platform giving users three different feeds to choose from is to be designed while also being able to apply a content filter to ensure quality.
Alongside a feed consisting mostly of local posts, the product should also support a search functionality in which local trending tags can be explored to further community building and participation in local events/discourse.
Through research and testing, a platform giving users three different feeds to choose from is to be designed while also being able to apply a content filter to ensure quality.
Alongside a feed consisting mostly of local posts, the product should also support a search functionality in which local trending tags can be explored to further community building and participation in local events/discourse.
Requirements
Requirements
Development of (3) unique feeds.
Reply feature.
Private reply feature.
Search option for exploration.
Development of (3) unique feeds.
Reply feature.
Private reply feature.
Search option for exploration.
Project Info
Project Info
Client
Client
loop
loop
Early Startup Client
Project has since been re-titled, with research & deliverables re-purposed.
Early Startup Client
Project has since been re-titled, with research & deliverables re-purposed.
Year
Year
2021
2021
Role
Role
UX/UI | Product Design
UX/UI | Product Design
Services
Services
UX Research
UX/UI Design
Branding
Information Architecture
Design Systems Design
Interaction Design
Prototyping
User Testing
UX Research
UX/UI Design
Branding
Information Architecture
Design Systems Design
Interaction Design
Prototyping
User Testing
Tools
Tools
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
DocuSign
Figma
Google Workspace
Maze.co
Miro
Zoom
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
DocuSign
Figma
Google Workspace
Maze.co
Miro
Zoom
Process
Process
I. UX Research
I. UX Research
Research Goals
Research Goals
The primary goal of the research for the loop social media platform was to understand the needs and pain points of target users. This information was used to ensure that the platform was designed to meet the needs of its users and that it was a valuable tool for community building.
Specific research goals included:
Understanding how people currently used social media to connect with their communities and participate in local events/discourse.
Identifying the challenges that people faced when using social media to connect with their communities and participate in local events/discourse.
Identifying the features and functionality that people would like to see in a social media platform that is designed to foster community building and participation in local events/discourse.
The primary goal of the research for the loop social media platform was to understand the needs and pain points of target users. This information was used to ensure that the platform was designed to meet the needs of its users and that it was a valuable tool for community building.
Specific research goals included:
Understanding how people currently used social media to connect with their communities and participate in local events/discourse.
Identifying the challenges that people faced when using social media to connect with their communities and participate in local events/discourse.
Identifying the features and functionality that people would like to see in a social media platform that is designed to foster community building and participation in local events/discourse.
Landscape Research Insights
Landscape Research Insights
People are increasingly looking for ways to connect with their local communities and participate in local events and discourse.
Existing social media platforms often focus on global connections and comparisons, and they can make it difficult to find and connect with people who share your local interests.
Many people are frustrated with existing social media platforms, which can be cluttered and overwhelming.
People are increasingly looking for ways to connect with their local communities and participate in local events and discourse.
Existing social media platforms often focus on global connections and comparisons, and they can make it difficult to find and connect with people who share your local interests.
Many people are frustrated with existing social media platforms, which can be cluttered and overwhelming.
Opportunities
Opportunities
Develop features that make it easy for users to find and connect with people who share their local interests.
Develop features that make it easy for users to organize and participate in local events.
Develop features that allow users to filter content to ensure that they are seeing high-quality content.
Position the platform as a platform that is designed specifically for community building and participation in local events and discourse.
Develop features that make it easy for users to find and connect with people who share their local interests.
Develop features that make it easy for users to organize and participate in local events.
Develop features that allow users to filter content to ensure that they are seeing high-quality content.
Position the platform as a platform that is designed specifically for community building and participation in local events and discourse.
Following the landscape analysis, I began the design process with user research interviews to learn more about the needs and pain points of the target audience.
Based on the user research and competitor landscape mapping, I created three user personas to represent the different types of users who would be using loop:
Yolanda (28): Yolanda is a recent college graduate who is new to a city. She is looking for a way to meet new people and make friends. She is also interested in finding local events and activities.
Matthew (20): Matthew is a college student who is introverted. He finds it difficult to meet new people in person, but he is looking for a way to connect with people who share his interests.
Christine (44): Christine is a stay-at-home mom who is looking for a way to connect with other parents in her community. She is also interested in finding local events and activities for her children.
Following the landscape analysis, I began the design process with user research interviews to learn more about the needs and pain points of the target audience.
Based on the user research and competitor landscape mapping, I created three user personas to represent the different types of users who would be using loop:
Yolanda (28): Yolanda is a recent college graduate who is new to a city. She is looking for a way to meet new people and make friends. She is also interested in finding local events and activities.
Matthew (20): Matthew is a college student who is introverted. He finds it difficult to meet new people in person, but he is looking for a way to connect with people who share his interests.
Christine (44): Christine is a stay-at-home mom who is looking for a way to connect with other parents in her community. She is also interested in finding local events and activities for her children.
II. UX Design
II. UX Design
I then created user stories and a sitemap to define the functionality of loop and how it would be organized.
I then created user stories and a sitemap to define the functionality of loop and how it would be organized.
Once the user stories and sitemap were complete, I began creating wireframes and mood-boards to develop the visual design of loop.
Once the user stories and sitemap were complete, I began creating wireframes and mood-boards to develop the visual design of loop.
III. UI Design
III. UI Design
I then created an early prototype of loop to test the usability of the interface with users.
I then created an early prototype of loop to test the usability of the interface with users.
IV. Iterations
IV. Iterations
Usability testing was completed with four participants, each conducted via Zoom utilizing screen recording on both laptop and iPhone prototypes as well.
Tested user flows:
- Locating the “popular” posts near the user
- Searching the tags/trending events
- Creating a loop
- Replying privately to a loop
All four participants were able to complete the four user flows successfully. I was able to identify areas for final interface iterations, such as making it more clear how to access the search function and how to reply privately to a loop.
With iterations completed, I was able to solidify hand-off specs for developers and conclude my scope of the project,
Usability testing was completed with four participants, each conducted via Zoom utilizing screen recording on both laptop and iPhone prototypes as well.
Tested user flows:
- Locating the “popular” posts near the user
- Searching the tags/trending events
- Creating a loop
- Replying privately to a loop
All four participants were able to complete the four user flows successfully. I was able to identify areas for final interface iterations, such as making it more clear how to access the search function and how to reply privately to a loop.
With iterations completed, I was able to solidify hand-off specs for developers and conclude my scope of the project,
V. Conclusion
V. Conclusion
loop is a social media platform that is designed to foster community building with both people in close proximity to users and people afar. It is unique in that it aims to help community building for both those that can do it with ease on their own and those that need a little encouragement, or at least the right place to do it.
loop is a social media platform that is designed to foster community building with both people in close proximity to users and people afar. It is unique in that it aims to help community building for both those that can do it with ease on their own and those that need a little encouragement, or at least the right place to do it.
I have learned a number of valuable lessons throughout the design process. One important lesson is the importance of user-centered design. By involving users in the design process, I was able to develop a platform that meets the needs of its target audience.
Another important lesson is the importance of usability testing. By testing the prototype with users, I was able to identify areas where the interface could be improved.
I have also learned the importance of being flexible and adaptable. Throughout the design process, I had to make changes to the design based on user feedback and new learnings.
I am excited to continue developing loop and bring it to market. I believe that loop has the potential to make a real difference in the world by helping people connect.
I have learned a number of valuable lessons throughout the design process. One important lesson is the importance of user-centered design. By involving users in the design process, I was able to develop a platform that meets the needs of its target audience.
Another important lesson is the importance of usability testing. By testing the prototype with users, I was able to identify areas where the interface could be improved.
I have also learned the importance of being flexible and adaptable. Throughout the design process, I had to make changes to the design based on user feedback and new learnings.
I am excited to continue developing loop and bring it to market. I believe that loop has the potential to make a real difference in the world by helping people connect.
Gallery
Gallery
