Nirkhunan is a Design Strategist blending human-centered design, technological innovation, and critical problem-solving to craft ethical, impactful, and systemic solutions for organizations. By integrating strategic thinking with design methodologies, he creates meaningful interventions that drive engagement, foster equity, and reshapes how communities and businesses navigate change.
UX Design for the Next Social Media
UX/UI, Strategy
SYNC emerges as a disruptive force, not by replicating existing models, but by carving a unique path
that prioritises user well-being and community building.Year
2023
Team
Nirkhunan Kuppuram, Ritika Suryavanshi, Vani BhatnagarSector
Social
Discipline
UX/UI
Strategy
The social media landscape is a saturated battleground, with countless platforms vying for users' attention. In this hyper-competitive space, true innovation is rare. However, SYNC emerges as a disruptive force, not by replicating existing models, but by carving a unique path that prioritises user well-being and community building. This case study delves into the strategic
design process that lies at the heart of SYNC, revealing how the platform leverages data-driven insights and human-centred principles to create a transformative online experience.
As a group project undertaken within a classroom setting, the development of SYNC serves as a compelling example of how strategic design can be harnessed to foster positive change in the social media domain.
Strategy
The development of SYNC, a novel social media platform, began with a deep dive into user needs. Extensive research, encompassing interviews, surveys, and the creation of detailed user personas, revealed a growing desire for platforms prioritizing positivity, personal growth, and healthy lifestyles.
Process
Guided by the principles of strategic design, SYNC prioritizes a seamless user experience at every touchpoint. This approach emphasizes:
- Empathy-Driven Research: Understanding user needs and motivations through comprehensive research methods.
- Data-Informed Decisions: Utilizing data analytics to analyze user behavior and optimize the platform for engagement.
- Seamless User Experience: Ensuring a user-friendly and intuitive interface for all technical skill levels.
- Community-Centric Design: Fostering a supportive and positive online community through features like collaboration and connection hubs.
Exploring Beyond the Horizon: A Collaborative Ideation Phase
The development of SYNC transcended replicating existing models. The ideation phase fostered a collaborative environment, where both internal team members and external stakeholders participated in exploring unconventional ideas. This collaborative approach, coupled with inspiration drawn from successful fitness apps and "what if" scenarios, resulted in innovative features that prioritize user well-being and encourage positive community interaction.
Research & Solution
The research journey didn't stop with user persona development. User journey mapping and empathy mapping were employed to further refine the platform's user experience, ensuring a smooth and intuitive navigation for all users. Furthermore, by leveraging data analytics moving forward, SYNC plans to continuously track user behavior, measure feature effectiveness, and utilize these insights to optimize the platform for ongoing user satisfaction and engagement.
Outcomes
SYNC aspires to go beyond simply being another social media platform. Its ultimate goal is to address the growing need for a positive and impactful online experience. By offering unique features that promote individual well-being and fostering a supportive online community, SYNC aims to create a more enriching social media landscape. Additionally, by continuously evolving based on user feedback and data insights, SYNC demonstrates its commitment to long-term relevance and positive impact on its users and the online community as a whole.
Take a look at the complete project here.