INNERCIRCLE
Conceptual UX/UI design for InnerCircle, a community specific discussion forum app. The app is built to foster meaningful connection within local communities and encourage physical relationships rather than digital.
Concept
A key feature of this task-driven app includes location-based user profiling, meaning users are only able to join communities based on their geographic location. The postings within the app are organized into discussion threads where users can post topics, questions, or announcements relevant to the community.
The users of InnerCircle will be local community members of all ages. They will be using the app to connect with other users and feel more integrated into their neighborhoods. The app should promote safe, fun connection for everyone within the area. The goal is to boost engagement within communities by turning online interaction into real-life collaboration.
Process
Persona Identification & UX Storyboarding
The user persona the UX design was based off of was Ella M.. Ella is a 19 year old female in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a rising third year student at the University of Cincinnati double majoring in Communications and marketing. She is a social butterfly, and in her free time she loves exploring Cincinnati, hanging out with her friends, and finding new social events to go to. The UX Storyboard depicts the selected persona’s experience with the app, showing how the user might interact with InnerCircle.
Benchmarking Research
I researched different app concepts and executions that may be a good fit for the InnerCircle concept. I focused on the results of my benchmarking research to guide my app design. I wanted to take the most successful parts of different apps and combine them to make one app with ideal features.
User Flows
The user flows are split into an onboarding user flow, and a main user flow. The flow guided the design process, once actions and decision points were defined.
Onboarding User Flow
Main User Flow
Key Screen Sketches
The key screen sketches are sample interfaces visually prompting the onboarding task flow and the main task flow.
Onboarding Task Flow
Main Task Flow
IA Hierarchy
The information within the interface of the app was sorted into a hierarchy to structure the design system. The hierarchy was honored through choices with typography, color, and shape to differentiate the importance of different items.
Low Fidelity Wireframes
Key features were digitally blocked onto sample screens. The tasks to be accomplished were prioritized over visual aesthetics. This assisted in figuring out the most streamlined way to complete the user flow through the visual language.
Final Screens
The final screens successfully incorporate the visual system and hierarchy of InnerCircle while completing the task flows designed to fit the users wants and needs.
Style Guide & Design System
