The Process
Ideation and Mission
Kardder is a social nerworking app that help users discover and connect with others right beside them, right now. By instantly connecting with people they encounter in their daily life, users can ensure that those chance encounters don't end up as lost opportunities. The app is designed to experience the power of real-time connections and stay effortlessly connected to the people around users like never before.
Kardder’s mission is to shift the attention towards encouraging users to share an authentic, unfiltered, in-the-moment view of their lives through their profile and posts to better connect with the community around them. They also share a community-curated timeline, as well as browsing the map to discover local hotspots, events, or recommendations from friends to engage with the community near them.
Individual Problem Statement and Interpretation
I worked on a multitude of projects and assignments within the app, one of the most notable being redesigning the Direct Messaging function. My Problem Statement was to transform the chat into a more functional and interactive experience for users. I embarked on a comprehensive analysis of our existing chat design, delved into user feedback, and conducted thorough market research. I implemented various enhancements, including the introduction of time stamps for message tracking, interactive profile features, and real-time status indicators.
Wireframing, Work Flows, and Prototyping
I began my wireframes with the current design, which was still in its beginning stages in the context of Direct Messaging. After integrating the new features into the wireframes, I sought input from my team to ensure buy-in and cohesion across our design approach. This collaborative effort allowed me to refine the design iteratively, ensuring it resonated with the entire team and incorporated diverse perspectives. With further research and understanding of direct messaging design concepts, I finalized the core functions of the new features and the upgraded user flow, then started to built the fidelity up. I finalized my prototypes to introduce the new chat interface.
Impact and Reflections
Impact
The launch and evolution of Kardder have made a profound impact on the way people connect and interact within their immediate surroundings. By focusing on real-time, location-based connections, Kardder has revolutionized the concept of social networking, turning fleeting encounters into meaningful relationships. Its mission to encourage authentic, in-the-moment sharing has resonated deeply with users, fostering a community that values genuine interactions over curated online personas. The app's features, such as the community-curated timeline and local discovery tools, have empowered users to engage with their community like never before.
This emphasis on local and immediate connections has not only enhanced social networking but has also contributed to a more interconnected and engaged society. Kardder's impact extends beyond individual connections, influencing the broader social fabric by encouraging people to look up from their screens and engage with the world directly around them, making it a pioneering force in the landscape of social technology.
The redesigned Direct Messaging function has significantly enhanced the user experience, fostering more dynamic and engaging interactions among users. Users are now able to communicate more effectively and authentically, mirroring the app's mission of facilitating unfiltered, in-the-moment connections. The introduction of these enhancements has not only improved the functionality of the chat feature but has also contributed to building a stronger, more connected community. This achievement is reflected in the positive feedback from our user base, who appreciate the seamless integration of these features into their daily interactions.
Reflections
My journey of designing with Kardder has not only helped me shape my approach to UI/UX design, but also deepened my understanding of user-centered design principles. First and foremost, the critical importance of user feedback and engaging with the users directly provided invaluable perspectives that guided the redesign, highlighting the necessity of building features that resonate with the end-users’ needs and preferences.
Another pivotal lesson was the balance between innovation and functionality. While introducing new features, it was essential to ensure that these enhancements did not complicate the user experience but rather augmented it.Lastly, this project highlighted the dynamic nature of the digital landscape and the need for continuous learning and adaptation. Staying abreast of the latest trends in direct messaging and social networking technologies was crucial in maintaining the app's relevance and user engagement.