User Research 

In my research, I delved into the common pain points experienced by photographers, scouring article sites and forums like Quora. For self-taught photographers, the learning curve is often slow and challenging. Establishing meaningful connections or finding the right mentor can be a daunting task in the photography community. Quora forums highlighted the struggles many photographers face in translating their vision into an image and their aspirations to turn their passion into a side hustle.

To address these challenges, I embarked on brainstorming sessions, drawing inspiration from the feedback and experiences shared by photographers on Quora. Analyzing the features of three key competitors, I honed in on essential elements. The selected MVP features include a dashboard, contest, ranking, learning, camera specs, and forums, strategically designed to alleviate these common issues and enhance the overall user experience.

Feedback

In addition to contests, I inquired about users’ preferences regarding camera settings, location information, and chat features. Survey results indicated that while camera setting information is appreciated, it isn’t deemed highly necessary, falling into the category of a moderate priority based on user responses. Conversely, knowing the location of a photo emerged as significantly important to users. In in-person interviews, users expressed a desire to replicate original photos, elevating the importance of location details over camera settings. The challenge of replicating precise camera settings, often requiring the purchase of another DSLR camera, contrasts with the practicality of visiting the physical location. Building on this, another prominent feature users actively sought was a chat room, providing a platform for engaging conversations among photographers.

Userflows

I proceeded to designing the main feed and it’s counterparts. This is to map out how each interaction will transition from page to page. I’ve organized the main features of the app through sections:  Home, Explore, Upload Photo, Notification, Contest and User Profile.

Contest

The gamification system was divided further into three features: Contest, Winner and Votes. The subscription feature was placed in the private contests with bigger rewards. The open contests are free and intended to draw users to participate in the contest. Every month, a minimum of 10 contests will be published on the app. 

Wireframes

To brainstorm and conceptualize the design based on the gathered data, I utilized pen and paper to produce a sketch. This hand-drawn representation served as a creative exploration, allowing for the visualization of ideas and the initial layout of design elements. The sketching process was instrumental in translating conceptual insights into tangible design concepts, paving the way for further refinement and development in the subsequent stages of the design process.

To structure the information architecture, a low-fidelity wireframe was swiftly designed, providing a basic framework for the app’s layout. After receiving approval from the client on the low-fidelity wireframe, the project seamlessly transitioned to the development phase of the high-fidelity wireframe. This iterative process ensures that the foundational elements are in place and align with the client’s vision before progressing to the more detailed and refined aspects of the high-fidelity design.

Color Palatte

After conducting a comprehensive comparison between a light interface and a dark interface, the decision was made to adopt the dark interface for its ability to create an immersive experience, particularly well-suited for photography. Dark UIs inherently lend a stylish and dramatic feel to visual elements. Prioritizing accessibility, I interviewed several users to gather insights on their preferences regarding dark UIs. A significant majority of users expressed a preference for dark mode on other social media apps, citing its ability to reduce eye strain during prolonged usage. Notably, the images displayed on the app were sourced from Unsplash, ensuring they are permitted for commercial use, aligning with ethical and legal considerations.

Typography

In line with contemporary design trends, a thoughtful typography strategy was employed to achieve a cohesive aesthetic. Embracing a streamlined approach, two distinct font styles were carefully selected. Helvetica takes center stage for the main body text and headlines, offering a crisp and classic feel that contributes to a timeless and clean design. Introducing a touch of versatility, Quicksand was chosen for tutorials and contest announcements, providing a distinctive and engaging font style for these specific elements. This intentional use of fonts is designed to enhance readability and visual appeal, aligning seamlessly with current design preferences and ensuring a modern and engaging user experience.

Mockup Video

Acknowledging the absence of a home button on the iPhone X and recognizing the significance of intuitive navigation, many features were designed to be initiated by gestures and hand motion. In particular, for the voting section, users are allowed to swipe using hand gestures. During the usability testing trial, it became evident that users desired the option to interact with buttons. Consequently, both hand swipes and buttons were incorporated into the voting mechanism, ensuring a flexible and user-friendly interaction model that accommodates different preferences and enhances the overall usability of the app on devices like the iPhone X.