CommnRoom
Client: CommnRoom
Role: UI/UX Designer
Year: 2021
CommonRoom is an educational app designed to help users expand their knowledge while connecting with others who share their interests and passions. Its main goal is to create a more natural, relaxed learning experience through conversation and the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and experiences.
Project Goals
Design a native app interface that allows users to search for, create, and explore themed chat rooms. The interface should encourage participant interaction by enabling them to post specific content. The goal is to develop a modern, cohesive design that aligns with the app's theme and follows the client's guidelines.
This social app allows users to connect based on common interests and fields of study. It enables users to create themed chat rooms to exchange ideas, discuss specific topics, and make new friends.
Who is our target?
The client provided a list of 12 potential users, all university students aged 20 to 30. Individual interviews lasting 20 minutes each were conducted with these participants. The objective was to improve the app's conceptualization, gather feedback and suggestions, and better understand the users' needs and expectations.
Chat rooms should be customizable and limit participants to prevent spam and unwanted interactions.
Negative perceptions of social apps are associated with scams, fake profiles, and risks of personal information leaks.
Interviewees would pay for a premium version if the app allows them to meet interesting or relevant people.
Social Apps are often linked to adult content, which can generate distrust.
The primary attraction for those interviewed was the opportunity to interact anonymously and exchange ideas. Additionally, two key points were emphasized to aid further understanding of the purpose of use.
Interviewees also mentioned various apps that are seen as indirect competitors or that serve alternative purposes. These references revealed they target a similar audience but pursue different objectives, mainly around matchmaking. Key observations included the following:
Most social apps focus on finding a partner and friends in general.
Are more inclined towards language learning.
There is no other similar apps in the country.
Have a defined visual design pattern.
A competitive map was developed to outline key features and service options, and to identify strengths and weaknesses relative to similar products. We identified direct competition through online research, considering functionality, target audience, location, and user interaction methods.
We have identified a key strategic advantage: the ability to filter content of specific interest. However, a significant weakness in our current service is the lack of a video call option.
Of the twelve interviewees, seven participated in a card-sorting exercise to help organize content options. This activity helped us better understand the relevance of the features to the average user and prioritize elements that could directly influence design decisions.
This process was crucial to defining the product's features and functionality and establishing a content distribution strategy aligned with user design preferences.
Design
The client requested a study theme with a modern aesthetic that conveys a sense of peace. This aligns with the brand's essence and visual identity, which is primarily represented by its logo.
To establish this unique style, I proposed the concept of a forest, symbolizing wisdom and serenity while embodying tranquility, patience, and the spirit of study. I created flat-style vector illustrations of forest scenes to serve as backgrounds, achieving the desired atmosphere. Purple was chosen as the primary color, with complementary shades added to enhance depth and improve the visuals.
We focused on clarity and usability, developing a clean, distraction-free design that encourages smooth and intuitive navigation. A key aspect of this design is the thoughtful use of icons, which enhance the reading experience, add a dynamic element, and help define the product's visual style.
Users can create and explore themed chat rooms focused on music, sports, and cooking. These rooms are designed to encourage interaction among individuals with shared interests. In these chat rooms, users can engage in conversations, get to know each other, and share experiences.
The goal is to foster friendly connections and facilitate natural learning by offering spaces that promote discussion and relationship-building.
Chat Room
User interaction is crucial, so the chat interface balances conventional features with visual simplicity. Users can view other participants' profiles and choose to add them as friends.
Profile
Rooms Creation
Users can create chat rooms and customize the activity type, difficulty level, and number of participants according to their preferences.
Other Profiles
Access to participant profiles is limited to ensure anonymity and security. Users can also block or report others, providing personal control and protection within the platform.
Settings
Users can adjust their profile information and notification preferences, change plans, and delete their accounts.
The user will have a 30-day trial period. After this period, they can select a plan to continue using the platform and accessing its features.
The design was developed using a layout of 375 x 812 pixels. Low-resolution wireframes and a static prototype were created in Figma, while the background illustrations and icons were designed in Adobe Illustrator.
