Project Duration: 4 weeks
Team Members:
Shikha (me) (UX Designer)
Shivani Mehta (UX Designer)
Team Members:
Shikha (me) (UX Designer)
Shivani Mehta (UX Designer)
My Contribution: Market research, Projective UX Research methods, Contextual Inquiries, Research insights, Data Analysis, User Recruitment, Client communication, User interview, survey design, Designing recommendations, Hi-fidelity mockups, prototyping.
Tools used:
Figma, Figjam, Loom, Google Sheets
Before conducting this study, I downloaded Friend making apps, dating apps, physical AR Gaming apps to understand the social connection aspects, and observed how people communicate and what they are feeling. I also observed people using similar apps to observe facial expressions and behaviors. Closing down on Bumble BFF and Snapchat as they offer two varied sets key features and USPs, I then researched popular features and new tech integrations into this domain, and tried to connect them such that some problems identified can be resolved, and a what-if scenario of a new app for the future can be generated through these merged concept. The research that followed was targeting to understand core emotions that users go through when the need for this connect arises, and then, in the process of social connection through social media apps.
Research Methods:
Current Technology Landscaping
Online Analysis
Projective Techniques -
(a) Emotional Journey Mapping of different app usages (Contextual Inquiry)
(b) Madlib Technique
I conducted 2 projective research techniques with 10 users to understand different perspectives and emotions while approaching digital, physical and phygital connections.
What does the micro-genre of in-person instant connections tell us about the future of social connection apps?
Through the earlier user studies, the following key insights were realized to set the base for a new app platform
Discovering the niche of e-reading and book characters avatars as a medium of expression to focus the research area
Trigger:
Comfort and Confidence: For some, adopting a book character avatar provides a sense of comfort and confidence, allowing them to navigate social interactions or express themselves more freely. It may offer a sense of empowerment and security, particularly in online spaces where individuals can curate their identities.
Community and Connection: Engaging with book character avatars can be a way to connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for literature and storytelling.
Identification and Empathy: Individuals may feel a deep connection with certain book characters, identifying with their personalities, struggles, and triumphs. This identification fosters a sense of empathy and allows them to see themselves reflected in these characters.
Emotion:
The feeling evoked by using book character avatars as identities encompasses comfort, connection, empowerment, and creativity. While the site or app may help amplify these emotions, individuals typically already possess a deep connection with certain characters, seeking solace, inspiration, and authentic self-expression within fictional worlds. Using book character avatars serves as both a coping mechanism and a form of creative expression, providing users with a platform to engage with their interests, connect with like-minded individuals, and navigate complex emotions through the lens of storytelling and imagination.
Action:
The feeling prompted by using book character avatars as identities encourages individuals to engage in various actions, such as expressing themselves authentically, connecting with like-minded individuals, and exploring different facets of their identity. This may involve participating in online communities, sharing experiences and insights related to their favorite characters, and collaborating on creative projects. These actions build toward fostering deeper connections, cultivating a sense of belonging, and encouraging ongoing exploration and self-discovery within a supportive and imaginative environment.
What is the core emotion driver for this app?
Mapping interdependences of the key tasks conceptualized and the targeted emotion journey revealed comfort to be the key connection that provides confidence to users
Comfort through Avatars to represent identities emerged to be a core emotion that also connects to providing Confidence to users
How do we design for an interactive experience for an app that reacts to your mood?
Interactive questions for the app to detect your current emotive mood for generating matching personas (characters from e-books that they can set as their emotive personas)
The user can resonate with the recommended personas read about them, and also explore new books that the character personas are from.
The user receives book and people recommendations based on their set persona. The books have visual elements like the character displayed for the user to visualize the text. This helps non-readers be more interested in reading e-books according to our user research.
