Social network
Social network
for local business & people
for local business & people
Client
Client
NDA
NDA
Role
Role
Design team lead
Design team lead
Year
Year
2023
2023
Introduction
The client approached our studio to create a concept and prototype for a new social networking app to present during an investment pitch. They already had a strong idea that secured their first funding round and some backend development in place. However, the design created by their startup’s designer felt too plain and unremarkable.
The client’s vision was to build a community-based social network. These communities, initially organized by geographical regions, could include cross-group connections, enabling interactions across different groups. The app was imagined as a virtual business hub where individuals who often encounter each other in real life but don’t connect could come together to form meaningful communities.
The client approached our studio to create a concept and prototype for a new social networking app to present during an investment pitch. They already had a strong idea that secured their first funding round and some backend development in place. However, the design created by their startup’s designer felt too plain and unremarkable.
The client’s vision was to build a community-based social network. These communities, initially organized by geographical regions, could include cross-group connections, enabling interactions across different groups. The app was imagined as a virtual business hub where individuals who often encounter each other in real life but don’t connect could come together to form meaningful communities.
Challenge
Develop a fresh design concept that aligns with the client’s vision.
Simplify navigation for a complex app structure.
Solution
Our team redesigned the app’s navigation and created a visual concept that stands out from competitors.
Our team redesigned the app’s navigation and created a visual concept that stands out from competitors.
Our team redesigned the app’s navigation and created a visual concept that stands out from competitors.
The new design was well-received by the client, helping them secure the next round of investments.
The new design was well-received by the client, helping them secure the next round of investments.
The new design was well-received by the client, helping them secure the next round of investments.
As the app wasn’t live yet, we tested simplified prototypes with a small group of potential users to gather feedback.
As the app wasn’t live yet, we tested simplified prototypes with a small group of potential users to gather feedback.
As the app wasn’t live yet, we tested simplified prototypes with a small group of potential users to gather feedback.
+13%
Customer Satisfaction
Investment round secured
Investment round secured
+11%
System Usability Scale (SUS 71)
Design
Here's what we got after scaling the design concept to the existing mobile app screens.
Here's what we got after scaling the design concept to the existing mobile app screens.
Feed
This section allows users to view posts from people and communities they follow. The feed supports posts with photos, requests, event creation, and shares from significant communities.
This section allows users to view posts from people and communities they follow. The feed supports posts with photos, requests, event creation, and shares from significant communities.
Discovery
Focused on location-based content, this section makes events and people more relevant to users. Initially, posts are categorized by local districts, but users can explore popular posts from other locations as well.
Focused on location-based content, this section makes events and people more relevant to users. Initially, posts are categorized by local districts, but users can explore popular posts from other locations as well.
Community
The heart of the application, this feature structures communities as interconnected sub-apps within the main app.
• Each large community consists of smaller sub-communities organized by themes or functions.
• Posts from these communities interlink, fostering user connections.
The heart of the application, this feature structures communities as interconnected sub-apps within the main app.
• Each large community consists of smaller sub-communities organized by themes or functions.
• Posts from these communities interlink, fostering user connections.
Requests and Resources
A core feature tailored for business communities. Users can:
• Publish requests, such as finding partners or collaborators.
• Share resources, ranging from ideas to investments.
A core feature tailored for business communities. Users can:
• Publish requests, such as finding partners or collaborators.
• Share resources, ranging from ideas to investments.
Validating
Investors value data, and even though our app hasn’t launched yet, we conducted usability testing with 17 potential users. Participants included both studio clients and respondents provided by the client.
Investors value data, and even though our app hasn’t launched yet, we conducted usability testing with 17 potential users. Participants included both studio clients and respondents provided by the client.
Testing Methodology
We provided A/B testing combined with user interviews. Participants were asked to complete some tasks within the app, such as locating a user or finding information about a community. Metrics used to evaluate the app included:
• Customer Satisfaction (CSAT): To gauge overall user impressions.
• Task Completion Rate: To measure usability success.
• System Usability Scale (SUS): To assess ease of use and functionality.
We provided A/B testing combined with user interviews. Participants were asked to complete some tasks within the app, such as locating a user or finding information about a community. Metrics used to evaluate the app included:
• Customer Satisfaction (CSAT): To gauge overall user impressions.
• Task Completion Rate: To measure usability success.
• System Usability Scale (SUS): To assess ease of use and functionality.
Key Results
• Task Completion: The average success rate increased by 8%.
• Customer Satisfaction: Improved from 62% to 75%.
• SUS Score: Increased from 63 to 71, reflecting an improvement in overall usability.
• Task Completion: The average success rate increased by 8%.
• Customer Satisfaction: Improved from 62% to 75%.
• SUS Score: Increased from 63 to 71, reflecting an improvement in overall usability.
Takeaways
This was a short-term project with a limited budget, so all ideas needed to be executed quickly.
This was a short-term project with a limited budget, so all ideas needed to be executed quickly.
Although we tested a product prototype rather than a fully functional version, user feedback during the process allowed us to immediately identify and address several design issues. These adjustments helped enhance the overall user experience and improve the product’s impression.
Although we tested a product prototype rather than a fully functional version, user feedback during the process allowed us to immediately identify and address several design issues. These adjustments helped enhance the overall user experience and improve the product’s impression.
Given the app’s intricate structure, I would recommended a gradual rollout of new features in the final product. This approach would give users time to adapt and provide feedback, ensuring the platform’s continuous improvement.
Given the app’s intricate structure, I would recommended a gradual rollout of new features in the final product. This approach would give users time to adapt and provide feedback, ensuring the platform’s continuous improvement.