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The Overview
Re/flect is a social media app focused on building meaningful connections. This app provides users a platform to not only interact with others, but to build a stronger connection to self through journaling.
Project type
Mobile UI Design, 2D Motion Graphics
Timeline
October - December 2023
Tools
Illustrator, After Effects, Figma
Problem
Gen Z is experiencing a loneliness epidemic
With people going to various platforms to seek connection, how can we provide people with a healthy and accessible community to express themselves in?
Solution
Building meaningful connections
A social media platform based on forming meaningful connections with oneself and with others, bridging the gap between isolation and togetherness.
User Research
72% feel isolated from others
I distributed a survey to 40+ individuals ages 18-27 (Gen Z) focusing on experiences with loneliness.
These were my findings:
79% struggle opening up to others
52% use social media as a form of escapism, but further increase feelings of loneliness
Interview
After the initial survey results I interviewed 8 individuals from the survey to gain more insight on their relationships with themselves and social media.
Before interviewing
What I wanted to identify
1) How much time is spent on social media
2) Any observations while using these apps
3) How they feel after using these apps
After interviewing
3 Major Pain Points
1) Time lost from mindless scrolling
2) Performative nature of social media
3) Disconnected to others around them
Affinity mapping
Based on the feedback from the interview, I was able to create an affinity map and narrow down the common issues users were experiencing with social media use.
Time Spent
"I think I hit a low when my screen time avg. was 10+ hours"
"Realized I spent the entirety of my morning doom scrolling TikTok"
"I think short form video content has affected the amount of time I spend on my phone''
"I don't even know what
I'm liking on insta 90% of the time, it's just a reflex"
Performative
"I liked BeReal at first, but then I realized my friends only posted when they were out doing stuff."
"It's definitely a cliche but it irks me how curated people's lives on their socials are"
"My favorite TikToks are the story time ones where it just feels like we're on facetime"
"I have a separate Instagram account where I post freely and basically use as a journal"
Disconnected
"I like to check every so often to see what my friends from college are up to, otherwise not much"
"I definitely try not to post anything personal on my account because my coworkers also follow me"
"It's kind of isolating seeing people post when they're out and I'm just at home"
"I haven't talked to some friends in over a year, we just send each other reels"
Targeting 3 Goals
From the 3 major pain points that were derived, I identified areas I that I wanted the app to focus on.
1) Intentional usage
2) Genuine interactions
3) Building connections
Targeting Key Features
User Insights
Desired Feature
1) Incentivize regular check-ins
Daily login
incentivize routine use by earning a reward for using the app
Usage reports
Get an overview of weekly usage as well as a login streak feature
2) A space for authenticity
Intentional posting
Tags are included on posts to encourage meaningful posts as well as let people know how to approach interacting
Journaling
Users can use the app as a place to journal, with the inclusion of journal entries
3) Create meaningful connections
Archive entries
Users can view all of their previous entries to reflect on over the years
QOTD
Users can answer a brief 'question of the day' and reply to others to encourage building connections
Organization with Info architecture
With the key features ideated from the key user insights, I created an outline to represent the structure of the overall app. In doing so, I was able to puzzle in areas that additional fun features can be added, as well as what features could be most emphasized.
Lo-Fi Drafts
Feed
Creating a post
Notifications
User Profile
Iterations
Emphasis on interacting
The previous design had less emphasis placed on Reflections left by users, included in the redesign were the users profile images.
Show Reflections drop down and leaving a Reflection are no longer separate interactions.
Toggle system for entries
Public and journal entries are kept separate to allow for more journal specific features.
Included option to add stickers to journal entries for more expression!
Daily log and Profile option
Added a Daily log and Profile option for users to view both login as well as their prior entries.
Users can view the number of friends, entries, as well as stickers collected.
In app reaction emotes
"Nod"
"Cry"
"Celebrate"
"Sending love"
"Adding a friend"
Final Design
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