Overview
Social Sphere is an app that helps users discover personalized events based on their interests and easily connect with others. It not only enables users to coordinate and chat with their “connections,” but also offers tailored event suggestions—from concerts and art exhibits to local volunteer opportunities—based on individual preferences and search history. Whether you’re looking to attend events with friends or explore new activities on your own, Social Sphere provides a seamless way to stay connected and engaged in your community.
Key Features
Users can sign up with their email and password to receive personalized event recommendations based on their preferences and location. By connecting with friends, they can easily discover events nearby that match their interests.
Personalized REcommendations
Event Sharing
Users can view and comment on events shared by their social networks, engage in discussions, and ask questions. They can easily share event details via messaging apps, encouraging participation, communication, and social connections.
Location mapping
Users who are connected can view each other’s locations at events, making it easier to find one another in larger venues. There is also an option to alert friends of their location if they get lost or encounter a dangerous situation.
Users can submit personalized volunteer applications, browse events, and connect with organizers. This encourages ongoing engagement and community interaction, aligning with our goal of providing tailored recommendations and simplifying event coordination.
Volunteer Coordination
Instant messaging
Users can connect with friends to plan and discuss events, whether through one-on-one or group messaging.
OUR PROCESS
research
Users can submit personalized volunteer applications, browse events, and connect with organizers, fostering continuous engagement and community interaction. This supports our goal of delivering tailored recommendations and streamlining event coordination.
Conceptualization
Our design team explored two potential systems: a Virtual Reality (VR) experience and a mobile app. Each concept leveraged unique strengths and capabilities. Ultimately, the team chose to develop the mobile app due to several factors that support its potential for widespread adoption:
Wide adoption: Mobile apps are already used by a broad audience, ensuring a larger user base.
Portability: Mobile devices are easy to carry and don’t require specialized hardware like VR headsets.
Cost-effectiveness: Mobile apps are generally more affordable and streamlined to develop.
Scalability: The mobile app offers greater flexibility for future updates and iterations.
Concept 1: VR/AR
CONCEPT 2: Mobile Experience
Paper Prototype
Our team used a paper prototype to test core functionalities. Designers created hand-drawn sketches of the interface, simulating the future digital layout. During a user testing session, participants were presented with scenarios and asked to interact with the sketches as if using a real app. This iterative process allowed us to validate the initial concept, identify potential pain points, and prioritize key features, ultimately providing a strong foundation for the digital design phase.
Account Creation Part 1
Account Creation Part 2
Account Creation Part 3
Account Creation Part 4
Location Mapping: Home Screen
Location Mapping: My Events
Location Mapping: Event Map
Volunteer Sign Up
Volunteer Sign Up Additional Feature
INTERACTIVE PROTOTYPE
Based on user feedback, our goal was to create a streamlined prototype that highlighted key functionalities while prioritizing an intuitive and engaging user experience. Our objectives were to:
Validate the core functionalities and user experience of the Social Sphere mobile app.
Gather user feedback on the interface and overall flow.
Test design aspects such as content, functionality, layout, and visual elements.
We conducted three informal "Quick and Dirty" usability tests to assess ease of use and gather quick feedback for future improvements. In each test, users completed three scenario-based tasks that explored different aspects of our design. Based on the results, we developed design recommendations for future iterations.
Task 1: Account Creation and Personalization
Users successfully completed Task 1 and provided positive feedback on the customization options. However, they suggested two improvements to streamline the process: enabling bulk contact imports and providing confirmation when friends are selected.
Recommendations
Bulk Contact Import: Add an "Add All" button to allow users to invite all contacts at once.
Show Selected Contacts: Display the number of selected contacts in the call-to-action at the bottom of the page to minimize accidental invites.
Confirmation Page: Provide a confirmation that contacts have been successfully added.
quick and dirty usability tests
Task 2: Connecting with Friends at an Event
Users encountered navigation issues, particularly when trying to access event pages and locate friends within specific events. They requested more intuitive navigation cues, clearer labeling, and safeguards to prevent accidental alert messages.
Recommendations
Navigation
Map Menu: Add color to the menu bar and improve selection indicators for better visibility.
Menu Items: Rename “Events” to “My Events” to clearly indicate where saved events can be found.
In-Event Page
"Friends at this Event" Display: Include names next to profile images for easier identification and increase the size and accessibility of the friends list.
Alert Messages: Move alert buttons to a less prominent position to prevent accidental selections.
Task 3: Exploring Volunteer Opportunities
Users found the volunteer task easy to navigate but suggested that the navigation could be clearer. They raised concerns about the relevance, flexibility, and safety of certain profile questions, as well as a desire for more options regarding commitment levels.
Recommendations
Interests Navigation
Search by Interest: Increase the size of interest tiles and bring the "See All" link into view to signal that more interests are available.
Opportunities List Navigation
Map View: Improve the visibility of the map view icon for easier access.
Apply Button: Streamline the application flow by removing redundant "Apply" buttons and linking the button to event-specific details, rather than making it accessible from the list view.
Sharing Efficiency
Share with Friends: Allow users to directly share volunteer opportunities with suggested friends, and highlight these friends in the main sharing contact list.
Profile Questions
Commitment Level: Add more commitment level options to accommodate varying user preferences.
Certification Selection: Consider alternatives to collecting certifications directly from the profile screen.
Personal Information: Review the collection of personal information for relevance and ensure it respects user privacy.
