WahDuDem

Spark a network of creative connections with the Wah DuDem app: A case study.

Spark a network of creative connections with the Wah DuDem app: A case study.

The creator network for community building.

Role

Timeline

Lead designer, Group of 4

4 Weeks

About Me

As a UX bootcamp student my team and i had the opportunity to work alongside a real world client. Our first project consisted of designing a social media app for my clients organization, all from scratch.

Wah DuDem

About the Wah DuDem motion.

Wah DuDem is a dynamic suicide prevention and mental health awareness organization that embraces a compassionate and holistic approach. It has evolved into a all-around music and community outreach organization, known for its commitment to safety, inclusivity, music-centric atmosphere and its mission to combat suicide.

Wah DuDem

About the Wah DuDem motion.

Wah DuDem is a dynamic suicide prevention and mental health awareness organization that embraces a compassionate and holistic approach. It has evolved into a all-around music and community outreach organization, known for its commitment to safety, inclusivity, music-centric atmosphere and its mission to combat suicide.

Overview

We aim to engrain a sense of elevation upon exiting the app.

Our vision is for people to utilize this app as a means to forge and nurture genuine connections, facilitate the sharing of work and uplift each other. We encourage them to carry that feeling into their interactions within the physical world.

Overview

We aim to engrain a sense of elevation upon exiting the app.

Our vision is for people to utilize this app as a means to forge and nurture genuine connections, facilitate the sharing of work and uplift each other. We encourage them to carry that feeling into their interactions within the physical world.

Problem

Social media has a detrimental impact on artists.

We Know people turn to their phones for Instagram, Tiktok or Facebook. All of these apps can be entertaining but—

  • We don't always close them feeling better than we did before we opened them.

  • They reduce productivity.

  • Can deprive you from real life interactions.

But what if they opened this app and felt bigger and better?. We see how the connections in our physical spaces actually lift people up, signaling that it would be beneficial to keep these types of connections outside of our events.

Problem

Social media has a detrimental impact on artists.

We Know people turn to their phones for Instagram, Tiktok or Facebook. All of these apps can be entertaining but—

  • We don't always close them feeling better than we did before we opened them.

  • They reduce productivity.

  • Can deprive you from real life interactions.

But what if they opened this app and felt bigger and better?. We see how the connections in our physical spaces actually lift people up, signaling that it would be beneficial to keep these types of connections outside of our events.

Design Process

To design the Wah DuDem app we—

  • Analyzed multiple apps that effectively utilize design patterns such as groups, feeds and personal profiles.

  • Conducted a competitive analysis, Unfortunately there weren't any organizations in either mental health or arts/music with an app that does what we are looking to do.

  • Conducted a series of 8 user interviews.

  • Looked at other websites and apps that implemented similar patterns to guide my design decisions.

Iterations

Research

Research

Research

Competitive Analysis

Our competitors share the same metric based, ego deteriorating system.

We analyzed 4 of the most popular apps surrounding the social media networking space. We found that all of them used engagement based metrics, which instills artists/creators with the fear of not being as talented as the person with higher engagement. This then became our opportunity for a solution.

Instagram

Twitter

Linkedin

Tiktok

Competitive Analysis

Our competitors share the same metric based, ego deteriorating system.

We analyzed 4 of the most popular apps surrounding the social media networking space. We found that all of them used engagement based metrics, which instills artists/creators with the fear of not being as talented as the person with higher engagement. This then became our opportunity for a solution.

Instagram

Twitter

Linkedin

Tiktok

User Interviews

My interviewees were 2x more likely to interact with someone who shares a similar level of experience in any field.

Using our own insight in conjunction with insight provided by Wah DuDem, we were able to identify our ideal target group as first generation kids and men ranging from ages 15-35.

I conducted 8 user interviews with different underground music artists and asked questions on their day to day interactions and creative workflow. I then organized my data through affinity mapping.

User Interviews

My interviewees were 2x more likely to interact with someone who shares a similar level of experience in any field.

Using our own insight in conjunction with insight provided by Wah DuDem, we were able to identify our ideal target group as first generation kids and men ranging from ages 15-35.

I conducted 8 user interviews with different underground music artists and asked questions on their day to day interactions and creative workflow. I then organized my data through affinity mapping.

Main Insight

Most of the social platforms my interviewees engage with on a daily basis Had a negative impact do to the feelings of value they imbue.

Based on trends in my affinity map, i noticed how the ease to compare themselves to others on these apps seemed to diminish their sense of self worth. Nurturing a feeling of insignificance thus interfering with their daily lives.

Main Insight

Most of the social platforms my interviewees engage with on a daily basis Had a negative impact do to the feelings of value they imbue.

Based on trends in my affinity map, i noticed how the ease to compare themselves to others on these apps seemed to diminish their sense of self worth. Nurturing a feeling of insignificance thus interfering with their daily lives.

Persona

Design

Design

Design

  1. Feedback & Engagement

Prioritizing the well being and creative growth of artists was our primary focus here.

Problem

The fear of not receiving engagement or positive feedback can be a significant barrier for artists.

Solution

By removing engagement metrics, artists can freely create without the pressure of seeking validation through numbers.

Comments remain but are filtered for constructive feedback. This creates a supportive and collaborative environment for sharing and engaging with others.

  1. Feedback & Engagement

Prioritizing the well being and creative growth of artists was our primary focus here.

Problem

The fear of not receiving engagement or positive feedback can be a significant barrier for artists.

Solution

By removing engagement metrics, artists can freely create without the pressure of seeking validation through numbers.

Comments remain but are filtered for constructive feedback. This creates a supportive and collaborative environment for sharing and engaging with others.

II. Drive & Motivation

Connecting correlating interests was the main goal here.

Problem

Groups are usually born and stay private in the inbox, limiting the range of people who become aware of their existence. Let alone experience all the benefits

Solution

The introduction of public groups will assist in building a sense of community and belonging, creates a great place for sharing valuable information and offers a excellent way to network with individuals who share a similar background.

II. Drive & Motivation

Connecting correlating interests was the main goal here.

Problem

Groups are usually born and stay private in the inbox, limiting the range of people who become aware of their existence. Let alone experience all the benefits

Solution

The introduction of public groups will assist in building a sense of community and belonging, creates a great place for sharing valuable information and offers a excellent way to network with individuals who share a similar background.

III. Motivation and compensation

Constant motion in our community is essential.

About the WDD wallet

Connecting you with a world of possibilities, the WDD wallet makes every engagement not only meaningful but rewarding.

By actively participating in community groups or interacting with users, you'll accumulate a valuable currency that can be exchanged for a variety of services. Spanning from job placements, studio time and even apprenticeships.

III. Motivation and compensation

Constant motion in our community is essential.

About the WDD wallet

Connecting you with a world of possibilities, the WDD wallet makes every engagement not only meaningful but rewarding.

By actively participating in community groups or interacting with users, you'll accumulate a valuable currency that can be exchanged for a variety of services. Spanning from job placements, studio time and even apprenticeships.

IV. Final Designs

You can experience the prototype Here.

IV. Final Designs

You can experience the prototype Here.

Style Guide

Conclusion & Realizations

The end of my first-ever UX project.

During this project, i refined my design approach and came to see that project has its own unique set of challenges. I realized that creating a products design is all about working together, going back and forth with ideas, and making improvements until things make sense.

As i finished this project, i learned to break things down systematically and gained a much better understanding of all the different aspects one has to consider in order to make a design that truly works well for users.

Conclusion & Realizations

The end of my first-ever UX project.

During this project, i refined my design approach and came to see that project has its own unique set of challenges. I realized that creating a products design is all about working together, going back and forth with ideas, and making improvements until things make sense.

As i finished this project, i learned to break things down systematically and gained a much better understanding of all the different aspects one has to consider in order to make a design that truly works well for users.

The End.

Work related or not, do email me at design@anferneeulloasportfolio.com

By Anfernee Ulloa.

By Anfernee Ulloa.

By Anfernee Ulloa.