RABBIT
INSTAGRAM PLATFORM REDESIGN
DURATION
Sep 2021- May 2022
PROJECT INFO
Independent Research Project (Year long Thesis)
SKILLS USED
Ethnography, User Testing, Interviewing, Wireframe generating, Creative thinking
TOOLS USED
Figma, Excel, Google Forms, XD, Superposition, Photoshop
The Motivation
In September 2021, Facebook Internal documents were leaked to the public, showing the behavioural effects of Instagram on self esteem and body image.
Social media is extremely different from traditional media formats in that the users is both the content creator and the content consumer.
The Problem
The pandemic has increased the number of social media users and amount of time spent online. Factors like negative social comparison, social surveillance, and body image dissatisfaction have become accelerated and less avoidable as we spend more time on social media. As social media becomes more immersive, the self and the body began to disconnect. Our data begins to define us in the web of are digital ecosystems. Media literacy is not mainstream, therefore the information to combat these complex body image issues are not being implemented. Only causing more damage for young social media users as social media becomes evermore consuming.
My Solution
Rabbit, an aspirational re-imagination of the future of media literacy. Through a holistic re-design of Instagram's UI experience. By providing media literacy based features, Instagram can now offer moments for reflection and education on the all consuming space of social media.
Reflect with Rabbit.
#YouDecide, design andalter your viewing sessionbased on self reflectionand changing moods.
Built-in prompts to promote emotional recall of content interacted with.
About the User
Young adult social media users with existing body concerns, who have minimal to no knowledge about the algorithm and are concerned about how dependent they are on social media.
Low self esteem and have a hard time telling what's real and what is fake on image sharing social media platforms.
Project Timeline
Gate 1: Contextualizing the Problem
Brainstorming, Mind Mapping, Observations, Positioning Opportunities
Gate 2: Research
Research Planning, (8) SME Interviews, (7) Environmental Scans,(10) Literature Reviews, (1) Qualitative Observation case study, (67) Survey responses, Journey Mapping, Empathy Mapping
Gate 3: Concept Development
Reconstructing Design Brief, Data Analyzation, Persona Development, Initial Concept Development, Product Journey Mapping, Feedback
Research
While conducting my research, I made sure to organize my thoughts by having clear guide lines for the questions I wanted to ask to make sure I was keeping to my design brief.
Excel chart laying out Subject Matter Expert Questions and interview times.
What did I learn from this project as a designer?
It’s been a year of self-discovery for me. I started at a low point and felt like I needed to adapt my body to meet the needs of changing standards of beauty. This thesis, however, has allowed me to peel back the layers of social, institutional, and cultural influence. As a result, I can take a reflexive look at why I felt the way I did about my body. I am so thankful for all those who helped me along the way and encouraged me to think about others and the future.