Lowering the Social Barrier: Spontaneous Hangouts
PRODUCT DESIGNER (COLLABORATIVE)
2023
Lowering the Social Barrier: Spontaneous Hangouts
PRODUCT DESIGNER (COLLABORATIVE)
2023
Lowering the Social Barrier: Spontaneous Hangouts
PRODUCT DESIGNER (COLLABORATIVE)
2023
OVERVIEW
Lowering the Social Barrier: Spontaneous Hangouts
Won NYC Design Battle, this 72-hour hackathon project designed an Instagram feature to bridge the gap between digital scrolling and real-world connection.
I led the creation experience, designing a Story-based "tap-to-join" sticker flow that enables users to propose, host, and gather real-time interest for spontaneous hangouts.
IMPACT
1.7x Attention Capture: Leveraged high-engagement Story mechanics to drive immediate physical behavior.
Reduced Social Friction: Standardized "spontaneity," making last-minute invites socially acceptable.
Retention Growth: Shifted platform value from "Content Consumption" to "Social Fulfillment."
PROBLEM
The Perfection Trap: The "high-stakes" nature of IG prevents users from posting unpolished, last-minute plans.
Planning Friction: The coordination gap between a DM and a confirmed IRL event causes massive drop-off.
Privacy Anxiety: Broadcasting to all followers is risky; users need "safe" social circles for meetups.
APPROACH
Tap-to-Join Logic: A frictionless RSVP system that eliminates the need for manual group-chat coordination.
Ephemeral Design: 24-hour expiration removes the "social failure" sting if a plan doesn't fill up.
Close-Friend Stickers: Targeted broadcasting to specific "Circles" to ensure psychological safety.
CONTEXT
72 HACKATHON (WINNER)
TIMELINE
72 HOURS
ROLE
PRODUCT DESIGN (COLLABORATIVE)
CONTRIBUTIONS
UI/UX DESIGN
COMPETITIVE RESEARCH
COPYWRITING
PROTOTYPING
OVERVIEW
Lowering the Social Barrier: Spontaneous Hangouts
Won NYC Design Battle, this 72-hour hackathon project designed an Instagram feature to bridge the gap between digital scrolling and real-world connection.
I led the creation experience, designing a Story-based "tap-to-join" sticker flow that enables users to propose, host, and gather real-time interest for spontaneous hangouts.
IMPACT
1.7x Attention Capture: Leveraged high-engagement Story mechanics to drive immediate physical behavior.
Reduced Social Friction: Standardized "spontaneity," making last-minute invites socially acceptable.
Retention Growth: Shifted platform value from "Content Consumption" to "Social Fulfillment."
PROBLEM
The Perfection Trap: The "high-stakes" nature of IG prevents users from posting unpolished, last-minute plans.
Planning Friction: The coordination gap between a DM and a confirmed IRL event causes massive drop-off.
Privacy Anxiety: Broadcasting to all followers is risky; users need "safe" social circles for meetups.
APPROACH
Tap-to-Join Logic: A frictionless RSVP system that eliminates the need for manual group-chat coordination.
Ephemeral Design: 24-hour expiration removes the "social failure" sting if a plan doesn't fill up.
Close-Friend Stickers: Targeted broadcasting to specific "Circles" to ensure psychological safety.
CONTEXT
72 HACKATHON (WINNER)
TIMELINE
72 HOURS
ROLE
PRODUCT DESIGN (COLLABORATIVE)
CONTRIBUTIONS
UI/UX DESIGN
COMPETITIVE RESEARCH
COPYWRITING
PROTOTYPING
OVERVIEW
Lowering the Social Barrier: Spontaneous Hangouts
Won NYC Design Battle, this 72-hour hackathon project designed an Instagram feature to bridge the gap between digital scrolling and real-world connection.
I led the creation experience, designing a Story-based "tap-to-join" sticker flow that enables users to propose, host, and gather real-time interest for spontaneous hangouts.
IMPACT
1.7x Attention Capture: Leveraged high-engagement Story mechanics to drive immediate physical behavior.
Reduced Social Friction: Standardized "spontaneity," making last-minute invites socially acceptable.
Retention Growth: Shifted platform value from "Content Consumption" to "Social Fulfillment."
PROBLEM
The Perfection Trap: The "high-stakes" nature of IG prevents users from posting unpolished, last-minute plans.
Planning Friction: The coordination gap between a DM and a confirmed IRL event causes massive drop-off.
Privacy Anxiety: Broadcasting to all followers is risky; users need "safe" social circles for meetups.
APPROACH
Tap-to-Join Logic: A frictionless RSVP system that eliminates the need for manual group-chat coordination.
Ephemeral Design: 24-hour expiration removes the "social failure" sting if a plan doesn't fill up.
Close-Friend Stickers: Targeted broadcasting to specific "Circles" to ensure psychological safety.
CONTEXT
72 HACKATHON (WINNER)
TIMELINE
72 HOURS
ROLE
PRODUCT DESIGN (COLLABORATIVE)
CONTRIBUTIONS
UI/UX DESIGN
COMPETITIVE RESEARCH
COPYWRITING
PROTOTYPING
CONTEXT
Users miss IG as a place to connect with friends
IG's heavy focus on brands and creators has left users who use IG primarily to connect with friends feeling neglected
CONTEXT
Users miss IG as a place to connect with friends
IG's heavy focus on brands and creators has left users who use IG primarily to connect with friends feeling neglected
USER GAP
We see rising demand for impromptu and casual hangouts with friends through our competitive audit and user research
USER GAP
We see rising demand for impromptu and casual hangouts with friends through our competitive audit and user research
USER GAP
We see rising demand for impromptu and casual hangouts with friends through our competitive audit and user research
CURRENT STATE
But existing tools for planning impromptu meetups dont feel impromptu at all
CURRENT STATE
But existing tools for planning impromptu meetups dont feel impromptu at all
PAIN POINTS
As part of Manulife's digital transformation initiative, I led the design of a self-serve card activation experience that would reduce friction and support future card management features.
PAIN POINTS
As part of Manulife's digital transformation initiative, I led the design of a self-serve card activation experience that would reduce friction and support future card management features.
HYPOTHESIS
By helping facilitate in-person meetups, Instagram can allow people to foster deeper connections with their friends on the platform
We explored 3 key opportunities in creation, curation and communication - my focus was on creation.
HYPOTHESIS
By helping facilitate in-person meetups, Instagram can allow people to foster deeper connections with their friends on the platform
We explored 3 key opportunities in creation, curation and communication - my focus was on creation.
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Had these principles guide our design decisions and approach as a team
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Had these principles guide our design decisions and approach as a team
SOLUTION
A functional prototype to show the end-to-end flow of hosting an impromptu hangout using stickers from stories.
Unmute me in the video below to hear me chat through the design in depth
SOLUTION
A functional prototype to show the end-to-end flow of hosting an impromptu hangout using stickers from stories.
Unmute me in the video below to hear me chat through the design in depth
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