Foreal: Reimagining Social Interaction via Genuine Connections
Designathon Project • 20 min read
Designathon
UXL 2024 by Wilfrid Laurier University
Theme
How might we use elements of everyday life to promote building and relationship-building?
Timeline
36 hours
Team
4 Designers
Tools
Figma, FigJam
A Quick Overview
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Background
In today's digital age, social media has become a primary platform for building and nurturing relationships.
While these platforms are incredibly efficient at connecting people across distances, they often fall short in fostering genuine interpersonal connections. The emphasis on quick, surface-level engagements overshadows the potential for deeper, more meaningful conversations that could otherwise flourish in a thoughtfully designed digital space.
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Problem
Although designed to connect people, traditional social media platforms prioritize engagement metrics, which often leads to superficial interactions.
Our research indicated that 42% of users feel their interactions on these platforms are superficial and lack depth. Additionally, users are bombarded with algorithmically chosen content, promoting more passive consumption rather than active, meaningful engagement. This environment discourages authenticity and deep personal connections, leaving a gap in digital social interaction that many crave.
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Target Audience
Individuals who value authenticity and seek for meaningful, personal interactions in their digital lives.
Foreal is designed for individuals who seek more depth in their online interactions. This includes people who are tired of the superficial nature of traditional social media and are looking for a platform where they can express themselves authentically and connect with others on a meaningful level.
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Goal
Cultivating genuine connections by encouraging openness in the digital space.
By encouraging users to engage through deep, reflective prompts and fostering a community that values authenticity, The app strives to create a safe space where users can share their true selves without fear of judgment, enabling them to form stronger, more meaningful relationships.
Solution
So we bring to you...
01
Daily Reflection Prompts
Bridging the gap between online interactions and meaningful relationships.
Our daily prompts encourage mindful sharing of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, helping deepen self-understanding and your connection to the world.
02
Foster Deep Connections
Connect with a community that cares.
Foreal connects people who values authenticity, fostering real conversations and genuine connections. Every interaction is a chance for meaningful bonds.
03
Your Stories, Your Control
A safe space to be authentic.
With Foreal, you decide how much you share and with whom. Post publicly, intimately share with friends, or privately reflect your journey. Your privacy is our priority, empowering you to share with confidence.
Prototype
Entering the Digital Space of Foreal...
Interact with the prototype
Design Process
How Did Foreal Come to Life?
01 Discover
User Research;
Market Research;
Empathy Map
Market Research;
Empathy Map
02 Define
Affinity Diagram;
User Persona;
Problem Statement;
Customer Journey Map
User Persona;
Problem Statement;
Customer Journey Map
03 Develop
Ideation;
Task Flows;
Low-Fidelity;
Style Guide;
High-Fidelity;
User Testing & Iteration
Task Flows;
Low-Fidelity;
Style Guide;
High-Fidelity;
User Testing & Iteration
04 Deliver
Feedback;
Key Takeaways;
Key Takeaways;
Discover • 1
User Research
We wanted to delve into the existing user experiences and challenges associated with contemporary social media platforms. Our goal was to uncover deeper insights into the demand for more authentic and meaningful digital interactions.
Survey Insights 📝
We launched a survey aimed at identifying common pain points experienced on current social media platforms. The survey, which received responses from 21 participants, included questions about their current satisfaction with social media, motivations for sharing content, and the value they place on privacy and authentic expression. Here are the key findings:
42%
are dissatisfied with existing platforms, citing a lack of depth and authenticity.
38%
use social media because they want to express themselves authentically and share real-life experiences.
71%
values the option to be anonymous in sharing personal stories and experiences.
User Interviews 🎙️
To delve deeper, we interviewed three users who had expressed distinctive views in the surveys. These interviews helped us understand the nuances of user expectations and desires in a social media platform:
Current feelings toward existing social media platforms
“I'm indifferent toward existing social media platforms because I use them casually to pass the time, but they don't significantly impact my life.”
- David (19M)
“My interactions on social media feel hollow and disconnected from real-life relationships and experiences. I feel like I have to be perfect all the time when posting.”
- Alyssa (24F)
"I'm starting to lose interest in social media because of the relentless flood of ads and influencer postings. It's becoming more about selling products than genuine interaction.”
- Tanya (20F)
Importance of anonymity in sharing personal experiences
"I would like to have the option of sharing my thoughts anonymously. There are times when I feel comfortable sharing my experiences transparently as myself, but other times, I would prefer to stay anonymous. As someone in the LGBTQ+ community, I have not come out to my friends and family yet. I like to share my feelings to help others feel less alone, but keep it anonymous until I’m ready for my circle to know."
- David (19M)
"The importance of anonymity varies depending on the nature of the personal experience I'm sharing. For more sensitive topics or situations where I need unbiased advice, anonymity can provide a valuable layer of protection. However, in other instances, I'm comfortable sharing openly under my real identity."
- Alyssa (24F)
"I don't feel the need for anonymity when sharing personal experiences because I'm comfortable with being vulnerable to others. I believe that sharing openly fosters deeper connections and understanding."
- Tanya (20F)
We uncovered a strong desire for more genuine interactions on social media, as well as varied preferences for anonymity, reflecting the need for a more personalized and authentic digital communication space. These insights emphasize the importance of designing a platform that supports both open and anonymous sharing, enabling users to express themselves fully and comfortably in a supportive environment.
Discover • 2
Market Research
We conducted market research to understand the competitive landscape by evaluating existing apps that share a similar vision of promoting authentic social interactions and genuine reflection. We selected three prominent applications that align with our goal of promoting authentic social interactions: BeReal, Locket, and 5 minute journal. These apps represent a spectrum of features that prioritize authenticity, community, and personal reflection.
We shared surveys targeting 15 users of each of these applications to gather data on user satisfaction, preferences, and behaviors. Assessing consumer behavior and preferences within this niche helped us identify key features that drive user satisfaction and retention, and to determine the potential for innovation within the market.
We shared surveys targeting 15 users of each of these applications to gather data on user satisfaction, preferences, and behaviors. Assessing consumer behavior and preferences within this niche helped us identify key features that drive user satisfaction and retention, and to determine the potential for innovation within the market.
Customer Insights 👀
Understanding why users might prefer one app over another provides critical insights that can influence our app’s design and functionality. Here we delve into the reasons users are drawn to specific features and how these preferences align with their personal values and social media habits.
Why Do Users Prefer Specific Apps?
What Factors Influence Users’ Choices in Apps?
Users of BeReal appreciate the app’s push for authenticity, allowing them to share real moments without the pressure of curating content.
BeReal's spontaneity in content sharing helps users feel a more genuine connection with their network.
Locket users value the intimacy and immediacy of sharing updates directly to loved ones’ lock screens.
The novelty of sharing content through widgets makes Locket appealing, despite some technical limitations.
5 minute journal users are drawn to the simplicity and personal growth aspects of the app, helping them reflect daily in a structured manner.
Ease of use and minimalistic design are significant factors for users choosing 5 minute journal.
Demographic and Psychographic Segmentation ☕️
Segmenting the market into demographic and psychographic groups helps us better understand the specific needs and preferences of potential app users. This information guides our marketing strategies and product features to cater to these varied groups.
Demographic Breakdown
Psychographic Characteristics
BeReal is popular among teenagers and young adults aged 16-24, who are looking for more genuine social media experiences.
Users of BeReal are typically spontaneous and seek authentic interactions rather than curated content.
Locket is favored by users aged 25-35, often those in close relationships or family groups wanting to stay connected.
Locket’s user base values close personal connections and tends to prioritize private communication.
5 minute journal attracts a diverse age group but is particularly favored by individuals over 25 who are focused on self-improvement and mental well-being.
Followers of 5 minute journal are reflective and introspective, often seeking personal development and mindfulness in their daily routines.
Trend Analysis 📈
Trend analysis provides insights into the larger movements within the industry, highlighting shifts in consumer behavior and technology adoption. This helps predict future demands and potential growth areas for our app.
There is a growing trend towards authenticity in social media, with users increasingly skeptical of curated feeds and superficial interactions.
Privacy concerns are shaping app preferences, with more users seeking platforms that offer robust privacy controls and secure ways to share content.
The rise of mental health awareness is driving popularity for apps like 5 minute journal that support personal reflection and mindfulness.
Competitive Analysis ⚙️
A thorough analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of direct competitors allows us to identify gaps in the market and opportunities for differentiation. This strategic insight supports our decisions on product features and positioning.
User Feedback and Satisfaction Levels 💬
Gathering user feedback and measuring satisfaction levels are essential for continuous improvement. This data informs our iterative design process, ensuring we meet and exceed user expectations.
User Feedback
Satisfaction Levels
BeReal users enjoy the authenticity but wish for more interactive features.
70%
satisfaction rate, particularly with the younger demographic.
Locket has received positive feedback on its personal touch but criticism for technical glitches.
65%
satisfaction rate, with some users facing issues with widget functionality.
5 minute journal users appreciate the app’s impact on their daily habits but desire more customization options.
80%
satisfaction rate, highly rated for its simplicity and effectiveness in fostering daily reflection.
This comprehensive market research helps us understand the landscape in which our app will operate and identifies opportunities for distinguishing our offering from existing solutions, ensuring that our app not only meets but exceeds the expectations of today’s digital consumers.
Discover • 3
Empathy Map
We created an empathy map to gain a deeper understanding of our target users' emotional and cognitive states regarding their current social media experiences. By mapping out what users say, think, do, and feel, we aimed to identify common pain points and moments of delight that influence their interactions with social media platforms.
We asked participants detailed questions about their daily interactions with social media, their feelings towards the content they consume and share, and their overall satisfaction with existing platforms.
We asked participants detailed questions about their daily interactions with social media, their feelings towards the content they consume and share, and their overall satisfaction with existing platforms.
The empathy map revealed a clear desire among users for platforms that prioritize authenticity and meaningful engagement over superficial interactions. These insights are invaluable in guiding the design features of "Foreal," ensuring that it aligns with the real emotional and cognitive needs of our target audience.
Define • 1
Affinity Diagram
In the next phase of our design process, we wanted to first organize and synthesize the data collected from our research. By clustering related ideas and insights, we aimed to identify patterns and themes that would inform the design and development of Foreal, ensuring that features and improvements align closely with user needs and preferences.
Outcome 🔍
This process resulted in several key themes that emerged from our user data:
Key summaries based on our affinity diagram:
• Authentic Connections: Users crave meaningful interactions and are looking for features that facilitate genuine conversations and foster a sense of community.
• Privacy and Security: There is a strong demand for robust privacy controls and transparency in data usage, reflecting users' concerns about their personal information's security.
• Mental Well-being: Social media impacts mental health significantly, prompting a need for features that promote well-being, such as mindfulness prompts and usage management tools.
• Engagement and Interactivity: There is a call for more interactive and engaging content, moving away from passive consumption to activities that require active participation and foster real-time connections.
• Authentic Connections: Users crave meaningful interactions and are looking for features that facilitate genuine conversations and foster a sense of community.
• Privacy and Security: There is a strong demand for robust privacy controls and transparency in data usage, reflecting users' concerns about their personal information's security.
• Mental Well-being: Social media impacts mental health significantly, prompting a need for features that promote well-being, such as mindfulness prompts and usage management tools.
• Engagement and Interactivity: There is a call for more interactive and engaging content, moving away from passive consumption to activities that require active participation and foster real-time connections.
Insights and Implementation 🙇🏻
From the themes identified, we derived four actionable insights:
Design for Depth
Incorporate features that prompt meaningful exchanges, such as question prompts or storytelling tools, to encourage authentic interaction and deeper conversations between users.
Interactive Content
Introduce interactive content formats like live Q&A sessions, interactive polls, or collaborative projects that require active user participation and foster a more dynamic and engaging community environment.
Enhance Privacy Controls
Provide users with advanced privacy settings that are easy to understand and use, allowing them to choose who sees their posts and interactions, and offering options for anonymous or pseudonymous engagement.
Real-Time Community Building
Create tools that facilitate real-time interactions and community engagement, such as group video calls or event planning features, to help users connect over shared interests and activities in a more immediate and meaningful way.
The affinity diagram allowed our team to clearly see the key issues and desires of our users, guiding the next phases of our design process. By addressing these grouped themes, we can tailor Foreal to better meet the expectations and improve the overall user experience. This structured approach ensures that all significant insights are considered in the development of the app, making it more likely to resonate with its intended audience.
Define • 2
User Persona
To consolidate the insights from our market research and user feedback into relatable, detailed representations of our typical users, we created two user personas. These personas provide a clear picture of the target audience's preferences, needs, and behaviors, ensuring our design decisions align with user expectations.
Alex | 34yo | Freelance Graphic Designer and Writer
User Goals
• To connect with a community that values genuine life experiences and personal growth.
• Seeks daily inspiration and balance through reflective practices.
• Seeks daily inspiration and balance through reflective practices.
Pain Points
• Feels overwhelmed by the pressure to maintain a polished image on traditional social media, which hampers his creativity and authenticity.
• Often feels isolated in his introspective practices and is looking for a community that understands the significance of personal growth.
• Often feels isolated in his introspective practices and is looking for a community that understands the significance of personal growth.
How Foreal Helps Alex
• Foreal offers daily, reflective prompts that provide structure for self-expression and creativity, while also being a source of inspiration for Alex.
• The app connects Alex with like-minded individuals, enhancing his sense of belonging and support.
• The platform provides flexibility in sharing options, allowing Alex to manage his privacy and control how vulnerable he chooses to be.
• The app connects Alex with like-minded individuals, enhancing his sense of belonging and support.
• The platform provides flexibility in sharing options, allowing Alex to manage his privacy and control how vulnerable he chooses to be.
Jessica | 23 yo | Psychology Major
User Goals
• To build friendships with peers who share a desire for deeper understanding and empathy.
• To be part of a community that encourages sharing vulnerabilities as a part of mental health advocacy.
• To be part of a community that encourages sharing vulnerabilities as a part of mental health advocacy.
Pain Points
• Experiences anxiety by the constant comparison to the idealized lives presented on traditional social media.
• Finds it challenging to locate a platform that promotes authentic sharing without the fear of judgment and the need for external validation.
• Finds it challenging to locate a platform that promotes authentic sharing without the fear of judgment and the need for external validation.
How Foreal Helps Jessica
• Jessica can share her thoughts, feelings, and daily reflections without the pressure to curate a perfect image.
• Jessica finds a community where she can form friendships based on shared values and mutual understanding, resulting in a sense of belonging.
• Jessica finds a community where she can form friendships based on shared values and mutual understanding, resulting in a sense of belonging.
By understanding and addressing the specific needs, behaviors, and frustrations of Alex and Jessica, we can tailor our app to better meet the demands of users looking for deeper, more meaningful social media experiences. This user-centered approach ensures that Foreal will offer functionalities that genuinely resonate with its intended audience, encouraging engagement and satisfaction.
Define • 3
Problem Statement
In today's digital age, traditional social media platforms often emphasize curated, idealized portrayals of life, leading to a culture of comparison and competition that can foster feelings of inadequacy and isolation among users. This environment makes it difficult for individuals to engage authentically, as they feel pressured to present only the most polished aspects of their lives. The lack of genuine interaction not only impedes the formation of meaningful connections but also negatively impacts mental health, leaving users feeling disconnected and unsupported in a space that should foster community and understanding.
How might we combat the isolation caused by unrealistic social media standards and cultivate genuine connections by encouraging vulnerability and openness in the digital space?
Define • 4
Customer Journey Map
We visualize the entire experience of a user interacting with Foreal, from initial discovery through various touchpoints to regular usage. This map helps identify key interactions, emotional highs and lows, and potential pain points, providing a clear path to enhance user satisfaction and engagement.
The customer journey map provides invaluable insights into how users interact with Foreal from the moment they learn about the app to becoming loyal advocates. By understanding each stage of this journey, we can tailor our marketing strategies, design improvements, and support services to better meet user needs, ultimately enhancing their overall experience and satisfaction with the app. This strategic tool aids in pinpointing where we can streamline processes, enhance features, and introduce new elements to foster even deeper engagement and satisfaction.
Develop • 1
Ideation
The ideation phase is crucial for generating a wide range of creative solutions that address the specific needs and pain points identified in the earlier stages of the design process. In this section, we aim to explore various features and functionalities that could enhance Foreal, making it more engaging, supportive, and tailored to our users' desires for genuine connections and personal growth. Here is a sumary of our feature brainstorming:
Each feature idea was evaluated based on its feasibility, potential impact on user engagement, and alignment with Foreal's core values of authenticity and community support. User feedback sessions and prototype testing will further inform which features are most effective and appreciated by our users.
Develop • 2
Task Flows
We map out the specific actions required to complete individual tasks within Foreal. This helps in breaking down each feature into manageable steps from the user's perspective, ensuring that every element of the app is user-friendly and logical. The goal is to optimize user interaction by making each task as intuitive and efficient as possible. Here is one of the flows we created, showing how users would see a post in Foreal.
By meticulously designing and refining these flows, we can ensure a user-friendly experience that meets the needs of our diverse user base, ultimately leading to higher satisfaction and retention rates.
Develop • 3
Low-Fidelity
We started with low-fidelity wireframes to quickly translate the feature ideas generated during the ideation phase into tangible, visual drafts that can be easily understood and iterated upon. This approach allows us to explore the usability and effectiveness of different design concepts before investing in more detailed development. It also facilitates rapid changes and enables quick feedback cycles with team members. During this phase, key interface elements and user flows are outlined to represent the app's functionality without detailed aesthetic design elements.
This stage sets the foundation for high-fidelity prototyping, where more detailed and interactive designs will be developed and tested.
Develop • 4
Style Guide
We define and create a cohesive visual identity for Foreal that resonates with its core values and appeals to its target audience. This identity will be integral in shaping how users perceive and interact with the app, enhancing brand recognition and user loyalty.
By carefully crafting and implementing a distinct and appealing brand identity, Foreal aims to create a positive and lasting impression on its users, encouraging deeper engagement and fostering a loyal user community.
Develop • 5
High-Fidelity
We create detailed, interactive prototypes that closely resemble the final product. This stage is crucial for testing and refining the visual and interactive aspects of Foreal, ensuring that the user experience is both intuitive and engaging. Explore the Figma file below to view our hi-fi wireframes!
This step bridges the gap between conceptual designs and the final product, providing a near-real experience that is essential for finalizing design decisions and ensuring the app meets its intended goals.
Develop • 6
User Testing & Iteration
Now that we have completed the high-fidelity phase of Foreal, the next crucial step is to conduct comprehensive user testing. This phase is designed to validate the usability and overall user experience of the app by exposing it to a variety of potential users. The objective is to gather actionable insights that can be used to refine and enhance the product before its final release.
We selected three users who represent our target audience to participate in this testing phase. Each participant will use the app over a set period, performing a series of tasks while we observe and record their interactions and reactions. The testing sessions are structured to cover all key features and functionalities of the app, ensuring comprehensive feedback.
Findings 🔑
During the user testing, a significant finding emerged regarding the gamification elements integrated into the app. The feedback was consistently clear across all participants: they did not favor the gamification aspects, such as earning points for "streaks" of daily interactions. Users expressed that these features detracted from the app's core mission of fostering deep, meaningful relationships, as they encouraged more superficial interactions rather than genuine engagement. Here’s a summary of the specific feedback:
“‘Streaks’ and ‘friendship levels’ are superficial engagement metrics.”
“It's important to prioritize fostering authentic relationship, and gamification might deter away from that”
"I don’t think gamification is needed to be honest. It doesn’t make sense to quantify and keep track of your relationship status with someone else if you are trying to bond with them.”
Here’s Our Iteration! 🏃🏻
Based on the outcomes of the user testing, we:
The user testing phase is essential for ensuring that Foreal is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and user-friendly. By engaging directly with users and incorporating their feedback, we can refine Foreal into a product that genuinely meets the needs of its target audience, thereby increasing its chances of success upon launch.
Deliver • 1
Feedback
The feedback session was aimed at garnering valuable insights from the initial presentation of the Foreal app to a panel of experts and peers. This session served as an essential checkpoint in the development process to evaluate the effectiveness of the presentation and the app's design, understandability, and overall appeal.
Achievements 🎖️
Top 6
Finalist
Best UI
Award
Positive Feedback 💬
"Problem was clearly defined and addressed with an innovative solution. The UI was consistent and intuitive. Team did a great job integrating privacy/sharing settings into their solution."
"Consistent UI patterns used across the prototype made for a polished solution. Interesting concept and strong pitch – the team clearly put a lot of effort in and it shows!'
"This was the one project that really felt like an actual product, really well positioned, great UI, flow, and overall interesting idea and execution"
"Pleasant UI. Liked the idea of trigger warnings and the idea of group filters to be protective. Liked the idea of in person vs. virtual prompts. Liked that both surveys and interviews were conducted. Liked the comparison against other similar apps. Feels similar to many open communication apps like Twitter, Facebook posts or early 2000s Tumblr usage but clearly differentiates with other features."
Areas for Improvement 🔦
"Overall a really great presentation but if I had to pick one area of improvement, it might perhaps be to work on the typography (size, hierarchy) on some of the layouts as in some cases it felt a bit too text heavy."
"Would recommend starting the pitch by walking through your process and research insights – this would help align your audience on the value prop of your solution before walking through it. I found myself asking questions about the problem's relevance and target market while looking at the UIs, which were answered towards the end of the pitch."
Deliver • 2
Key Takeaways
01
Enhanced Clarity and Depth in Presentation
It's crucial to provide a comprehensive walkthrough of the design and development processes, including iterations, user journeys, and feature justifications, at the start of the presentation. This approach ensures that the audience fully grasps the relevance and application of the product, aligning their understanding with the project's goals and enhancing engagement.
02
Focused Target Market Definition
Specifying the target market with greater precision is essential to avoid generalizing the product's appeal. A more defined target audience allows for tailored feature development and marketing strategies, which are critical for meeting user expectations and increasing the app's adoption and impact in the intended demographic.
The Minds Behind Foreal
4 People • 2 Timezones • 4,500 Km Apart • 1 Chonky Boi 🐕
A huge shoutout to my teammates 🤩
Personal Reflection
Looking Back...
Working on Foreal has been a journey of understanding and creativity. From diving deep into user needs to crafting a digital space that feels safe and inviting, every step taught me more about empathy and design than I could have imagined. Seeing our ideas come to life and watching them resonate with users was incredibly fulfilling. The feedback, especially our recognition for Best UI, was a proud moment that showed the impact of thoughtful, user-centered design. This project wasn't just about building an app; it was about shaping a space where real connections flourish, reminding me why I love doing what I do.
Thanks for stopping by; let's chat soon!
