Design a profile creation flow, for a networking platform for photographers.
Role
UX designer
Tools
Figma/ XD/Illustrator/ PS
Timeline
2023 April
Overview
In the competitive photography industry, professionals face challenges in career growth and exposure. This project aims to design a profile creation flow for a networking platform dedicated to photographers, fostering collaboration, showcasing work, and contributing to long-term success in the industry.
The Problem
Photographers in today's competitive industry struggle to grow their careers and gain exposure. This hampers their success, hindering opportunities for collaboration and learning.
The Goal
Design a profile creation flow for a networking platform that empowers photographers to connect, share, and learn collaboratively. The goal is to foster a strong professional network, showcase work, and contribute to long-term success in the industry.
Planning phase
Exploring Methods of Research
User Interviews:
- 5 interviews with photographers of all levels of experiences
- Explore their career journeys, current networking practices, and challenges faced in gaining exposure.
- Discuss experiences with existing networking platforms.
Survey:
- Questions about pain points in the industry, desired features in a networking platform, and collaboration preferences.
- Use a mix of closed-ended and open-ended questions to gather both quantitative and qualitative data.
User Characteristics and Groups
I conducted 5 interviews with photographers at different experience and occupational status to understand their current experience with with networking platforms and their challenges experiencing in those platforms. Our goal was to understand their journey and obstacle they encounter when experiencing on the current social media platforms.
- Lack of Visibility: Follower count over the quality of work
- Lack of Connection: Less meaningful connections beyond showcasing work.
- Lack of Knowledge: No Specialization and continuous learning to conquer the saturated market.
UX Sprint
Solution (3 Major Flows)
Gathering information
Through the steps of profile creaiton, photographers will be asked their occupation and their personal details.
Specialize and Personalize
Users will pick the content that interest and specialize their preferred style to become skilled in that field.
Connecting and Learning
Users will be able to find people with similar interest to build rapport, connect and learn from.
Site ideation sketching
Refined IA
Initial paper wireframes to digital wireframes
Usability 1
- Cards were hard to be distinguished
- Implemented customizable tab to edit online and offline modes, which was one of the biggest features.
- Dashboard navigation was distinguished clearly
Improvements based on the usability study
Improvement 1
Improved clarity, reduced overlapping of images to text and buttons.
Improvement 2
each category is visible to the user, making it knowing its material and assets visible.
Usability 2
Users felt that editing the landing page was intuitive, but still felt there were no in-direct ways of building rapport with other people6 of 10 users from the usability study felt insecure, and unmotivated to take the initiative to connect with other people.
Changes and improvement #1. Profile creation flow.
I moved from using Adobe XD to figma, because of some component and variable features that it offers that is better-suited for this case-study. The interactive and layout components are drastically changed, and after conducting a usability studies, 70% of users felt that the profile interaction between question and answer, to choosing their option felt much more intuitive to use, including indicators that
What's removed ✘
Plain text-box based interaction, option based flow
What's improved ✔
Interaction to question-and-asnwer based prompts, intuitive interaction from page to page,drop down menu and indicators of selections, color scheme
8 pt grid spacing system exploration and experimentation
For this project, I attempted to use and gain experience with the 4 and 8 point system. Although they are still not perfectly executed (I still have a lot to learn), I have found that my designs have improved and look a little more consistent.
I used a grid system to make the layout cleaner, especially when there are many containers with options and text.
The font is set to 36, 24 and 16 pts.
Changes and improvement #2 and 3. Re-designed dashboard, and homepage
I incorporated the old layout for the dashboard while changing the system architecture to include what was needed. This was the most significant design change for this case study, where the tag system was heavily introduced to cater to individual user customizations based on their preferences. These preferences included different learning standards' difficulty levels, techniques, and characteristics. Tags were also personalized to align with both the user's characteristics and photography's technical aspects. In summary, the layout focused further on the user's networking needs while linking the home page together, impacting and informing the main page interactions within the dashboard system.
Deleting everything unessesary
Although a landing page is a way to develop user personalization, it drifted away from solving major pain points for users. The dashboard was also built around the landing page, and while it was a good way to edit materials, it ultimately failed to meet the design goal and solve user problems.
User retention
The tag system, where it was used to build rapport for user to user, was a feature recommended by 4 out of 10 users on the second usability study.
Some further examples.
There is somemore examples, although its not fully consistent, but the layout of cards are starting to look more consistent. The font is openSans with 12, 18 points in this page. I chose to use a grid system because it provides a cleaner and organized look specifically in a space with a ton of information in your eyes. The grid system definitely reduced visual clutter for this page since there are many navigating options from the dashboard.
Outcomes
The new design increased completion rate and resulted users feeling less confused when navigating to different screens in the user flow.
What I learned
- You don't usually spot biases until you experience it yourself. In this case study, I became biased during the process between brainstorming the journey map and conducting UXR.
- Taking a wrong direction in this project significantly delayed its completion. However, refocusing on the ultimate goal of designing for users should take precedence above all else. By keeping users at the forefront, we can regain momentum and embrace the understanding that design is an iterative process that continuously improves over time. Realizing that there is no absolute perfect outcome is crucial in maintaining a user-centered approach.
What I've experimented
- I've learned that achieving consistent UI design comes from mastering and practicing the 8-point grid system over time. In this project, I began experimenting with the 4 or 8 point system and discovered that there is no rigid rule. Instead, it's the process of experimentation over time that helps develop an eye for optical balance. Sometimes 2, 4, or 6 points can make designs look consistent too. There is never an absolute answer, but continuous improvement through exploration is key.
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