Connect, explore, belong. A social experience mobile app capstone project.
Componion
My Role
Overview
Componion is a social product aimed at addressing social anxiety and facilitating in-person social interactions and friendships, particularly for individuals who have recently relocated to a new city or town. The platform offers features such as event discovery, RSVP functionality, attendee networking, and post-event engagement to help users overcome social barriers and foster meaningful connections. This case study explores the effectiveness of Componion in achieving its goals and enhancing users' social experiences.
UX Researcher, UX Designer, UI Designer
Tools
Figma
Deliverables
Research, Ideate, Affinity Map, User Flow Low Fidelity Wireframes, High Fidelity Prototype, User testing report
Research
To thoroughly explore users' pain points and comprehend their objectives, I streamlined the screener survey to include only 5 participants. Crafting open-ended questions enabled users to express themselves freely, providing valuable insights into their individual perspectives on the concept of investing. Analyzing these responses, I pinpointed a few prevalent pain points, guiding us toward our next course of action.
Fear of Rejection: Users may experience anxiety about attending events alone, fearing they won't be accepted or welcomed by other attendees.
Difficulty Initiating Conversations: Some users might struggle with starting conversations with strangers at events, hindering their ability to make meaningful connections.
Limited Event Options: Users may find it challenging to discover events that align with their interests or preferences, leading to a sense of isolation or disconnection from the local community.
Lack of Follow-up Interaction: After attending an event, users might feel unsure about how to maintain connections with individuals they met, resulting in missed opportunities for building friendships.
Navigating Social Norms: Individuals who have recently relocated to a new city or town may encounter difficulties understanding or adapting to the social norms and customs of their new environment, making it harder to engage with others at events.
“I often feel anxious about attending social events, especially when I don't know anyone there. The fear of not fitting in or being judged by others adds to my anxiety.”
“I'm most interested in attending events related to hobbies like hiking, photography, or board games, as they provide opportunities to connect with others who share similar interests.”
“I would find support groups or communities specifically for individuals dealing with social anxiety helpful, as well as guided activities or workshops aimed at building social skills.”
“I primarily use my phone for social networking activities due to its convenience and accessibility.”
“I prefer receiving event reminders through app notifications as they are more immediate and noticeable to me.”
“I look for a social networking platform that feels welcoming and inclusive, with a focus on building genuine connections rather than superficial interactions..”
Affinity Map
The affinity mapping exercise revealed valuable insights into users' perceptions and experiences of using Componion, highlighting key themes related to ease of use, event discovery, communication effectiveness, networking, and post-event engagement. These insights provide valuable guidance for platform enhancement and refinement, helping to ensure that Componion continues to meet the needs and preferences of its users and effectively facilitates social interaction and event attendance.
User Flow
This user flow aims to streamline the user journey on Componion, from initial registration to active event participation, while prioritizing user engagement, communication effectiveness, and social connection-building.
Personas
To gain a comprehensive understanding of users' goals, needs, experiences, and behaviors, I developed three distinct personas: the beginning investor, the serial investor, and the organizer. These personas were crafted based on insights gathered from user interviews, surveys, and the key categories identified in affinity diagrams. Revisiting these personas served as a constant reminder of the diverse user base I was designing for, helping me maintain empathy and tailor the design process to meet their specific needs and preferences.
Style Guide
Welcome to the Componion style guide, where we bring the warmth and vibrancy of social connection to life through our color palette. Componion is a social product designed to alleviate social anxiety and promote meaningful interactions, especially for those who have recently relocated. Our color palette reflects the essence of Componion's mission. With hues of pink, mustard yellow, and dark green, we evoke feelings of warmth, optimism, and growth. These colors not only create a visually appealing experience but also symbolize the journey of connection and self-discovery that our users embark on when they join Componion.
Pink: Symbolizing warmth, compassion, and empathy, pink represents the supportive community that Componion fosters.
Mustard Yellow: Radiating energy, enthusiasm, and positivity, mustard yellow embodies the excitement and potential of new social connections.
Dark Green: Signifying growth, stability, and harmony, dark green reflects the nurturing environment where friendships flourish and evolve.
Sketches/Low Fidelity Wireframes
High Fidelity Wireframe
Prototype
Testing/Takeways
User Registration and Profile Creation:
Users found the registration process on Componion to be straightforward and user-friendly.
Profile customization options were appreciated, but some users expressed interest in more personalization features.
Event Discovery and RSVP:
The event discovery feature was well-received, with users finding it helpful in finding events tailored to their interests.
Users were motivated to RSVP to events based on factors such as event descriptions, location, and the opportunity to connect with others.
Event Reminders and Communication:
Event reminders and communication methods were generally effective, but some users suggested improvements in timing and content.
Attendee Networking and Event Attendance:
Attendee networking before and during events was valued by users for its role in breaking the ice and fostering relationships.
Event attendance process was smooth overall, but minor issues were encountered by some users during check-in.
Post-Event Feedback and Engagement:
Post-event feedback and engagement features were seen as valuable in providing feedback and staying engaged with the platform.
Overall User Experience: Users rated their overall experience using Componion positively, expressing a willingness to recommend the platform to others.
Conclusion:
The research findings suggest that Componion effectively addresses social anxiety and facilitates social interaction and event attendance for users, particularly those who have recently relocated to new cities or towns. My biggest takeaway is to take care and time with user research and user flow mapping as it’s vital to the integrity of a useful app or site. The platform's features and functionalities, including event discovery, attendee networking, and post-event engagement, contribute to a positive user experience and help users overcome social barriers. However, there is room for improvement in areas such as profile customization, event reminders, and communication methods. Overall, Componion shows promise as a valuable tool for fostering meaningful connections and enriching users' social lives.