The first release 1.0, of an app “Inspo” for consumers and creators.
Final Screen Overview
My Inspo:
Main feed with all Creator content in one place
Discover:
A place to explore new Categories & Creators
Channels:
View & manage your Channels (Favorites/Frequent, Creator & Category Channels)
Saved:
View & manage your saved content. Access your account settings.
A tool for creators to help them share stories and expertise with their closest consumers.
Reimagine what a social media platform can be.
As a key leader within the Frog team, I spearheaded the design-to-development process for the inaugural version of Inspo Network, a groundbreaking platform catering to both consumers and creators.
On Inspo Network, consumers can seamlessly share, express appreciation (via 'sparking'), and make purchases from their preferred creators' curated product selections. Simultaneously, creators gain a platform to showcase their 'shoppable' products and share their sources of inspiration, fostering a dynamic and engaging community for all.
This revision maintains the core details of your leadership role and the platform's purpose while presenting the information more concisely.
Images are key to discovering new content.
I conducted a high-fidelity structural analysis of the primary feed with a primary emphasis on elevating images as the central focus and ensuring meticulous content curation. All components overlay the images, providing users with seamless access to supplementary content.
Discovering Additional Content
When users tap on a post, they gain access to supplementary content from their preferred creators. This additional content provides users with the opportunity to delve deeper into the experience, including the ability to seamlessly exit the app to access resources such as blog posts.
Structural Breakdown of Elements
I aimed to convey to the team a straightforward understanding of how each structural element operated.
Project Details
Overview
It's a dual-purpose platform, serving as a hub for consumers to explore, shop, and connect with their preferred creators, while also providing creators with the tools to craft 'shoppable' posts and engage with their followers. In my role, I collaborated closely with a lead visual designer and assumed responsibility for guiding the interaction design of the application.
Challenge
The challenge at hand was to devise a novel social media platform that drew inspiration from existing successful models while infusing it with freshness and distinctiveness that resonated with consumers. Additionally, the task involved crafting a platform that appealed to creators, addressing the question of what unique value it could offer them.
Opportunity
The opportunity presented was to develop a platform that delivered tangible value, facilitated discovery, and unlocked opportunities for both consumers and creators alike.
Role
Lead IxD | Design to Development
Skills
Figma
Principle
Jira
Collaboration
frog team
Project Timeline (Design)
The design phase spanned a 15-week program, structured into (5) two-week sprints. By the end of the fifth week, we conducted a Prioritization Workshop to define, prioritize, and obtain consensus on the scope for the initial release (1.0) of the application.
Project Timeline (Development)
The development phase encompassed a 10-week program, structured into (5) two-week sprints. Throughout this phase, I closely collaborated with the development team, ensuring clear communication and providing the necessary support to ensure they had all the essential components for the app's construction.
Research Overview
In preparation for the Program Kickoff, Inspo thoughtfully furnished us with pertinent materials and valuable research, a week prior to the commencement. These resources encompassed a wide spectrum, including, but not limited to, the business plan, investor decks, existing technology architecture and roadmaps, customer research, PRD, brand documentation, and any other initiatives that could potentially influence or affect the design.
Furthermore, Inspo granted us access to Inspo Network's internal systems, which encompassed development tools, source code, data schemas, and other technical documentation essential for our work. This access was made available to the frog development teams in the very first week of the program.
Additionally, Inspo facilitated our collaboration by providing access to an in-house bug tracking and agile management tool, which was accessible to both frog and Inspo teams. This tool included platforms such as Jira and Figma.
Competitive and Comparative Analysis
I looked at what exists in the current landscape and identified key ways to make Inspo recognizable and stand out from a sea of other social media platforms.
Design Research Informs Design Iterations
Fast iteration to meet program deadlines was key in making sure we were delivering the best design possible.
AI is Key to Staying on Track and Documenting the Overall System
I designed two IA systems, one tailored for consumers and another for creators. These IA systems were developed with reference to Inspo's existing AI framework, which helped us gain insight into their current vision for the app. This alignment allowed us to ensure that our IA solutions seamlessly integrated with Inspo's overarching strategy and objectives.
System Rules
I formulated comprehensive system rules that provided clear guidelines for both consumers and creators, elucidating the functionality of every element within the app. These rules delineated processes such as how consumers can shop for products, how they can access and view content, and how creators can effectively upload posts.
Takeaways
I had the privilege of contributing to a project for a startup called Inspo, seeing it through from design to development. Reflecting on this experience, I found immense fulfillment in the close collaboration between designers and developers. Our joint efforts culminated in the successful launch of our product on the App Store. A well-defined design process and system played a pivotal role, facilitating smooth teamwork and optimizing our collective endeavors.
My time with the team in the vibrant environment of San Francisco was truly enriching. I valued the opportunity to learn from talented designers and immerse myself in this dynamic and innovative setting.
Throughout this process, collaboration was key, involving stakeholders, the design team, and developers to bring a new product to market. I firmly believe in fostering an environment where all ideas are welcomed, recognizing that diversity in perspectives leads to the best outcomes. Through synthesis and a focus on core design principles—understanding the problem, user needs, goals, and possibilities—we were able to navigate the complexities and deliver a successful product.