Designing for Meaningful Conversations on WhatsApp
Overview
Design challenge was to add a feature in WhatsApp in order to boost relationships with loved ones in a deeper & meaningful level and create a reward system to keep them engaged & motivated with this feature.
Problem
People use WhatsApp on a daily basis, but how many of them talk with each other with the goal of getting to know each other on a deeper and more meaningful level?. Add a feature to overcome this problem.
UX Challenges
Below are UX challenges which i considered to take into account while adding the new feature-
- I had to consider how to design and add the feature which can easily blend with the existing design functionality of the WhatsApp.
- How might i create a feature where users can find it simple & easy to navigate.
UX solution
I wanted to add/create feature which is simple and users to feel joy & excitement while using this feature to build deep connection with their loved one.
With that in mind, I created a 'card game' in which users swap cards and pose valuable questions to their loved ones.
How did I arrived at this idea?
Establishing a close relationship with a loved one can be achieved through thoughtful engagement. One effective method I have discovered is to inquire about various aspects of their lives and interests. Rather than posing direct questions, which may sometimes be challenging, I found success in adding a lighthearted and engaging twist to these inquiries.
Visual Design Ideation 1: Locating the feature
Keeping the UX challenges in mind, I came up two ways in which the user will able to find & use this feature easily.
- Integrate the 'card game' feature into the attachment options available within the messaging interface
- Adding the 'Card Game' feature prominently at the top section to capture user attention
Visual Design Ideation 2: Card templates
I came up with the concept of customizable card templates, allowing users to input personalized questions for their loved ones. These templates can be tailored to individual preferences, i.e. customizable color options
Visual Design Ideation 3: Adding the game touch
To enhance the appeal of this card game, I came up with this idea of incorporating additional rules designed to spark curiosity and increase the overall enjoyment of the experience.
Visual Design Ideation 4: To keep the users motivated
The purpose of implementing the 'friendship point system' is to incentivize users to continuously engage with this feature, thereby fostering and strengthening their relationships with their loved ones.
Main Screens
Highlighting the primary screens, we will demonstrate how users can utilize this feature by using the example of two friends, Ellen and Lucy, to understand the flow of the feature. As mentioned above, I designed two approaches for this feature, below are the primary screen of those approaches as well.
Approach 1
Approach 2
Reflections + Learnings
- One of the things I learned from this challenge is how to add a new feature into the existing UI of the system without making much changes as it can have adverse effect on the users.
- There's often a big gap between having ideas in mind and bringing them to life on screen. I struggled with this too, and one thing I've learned is to explore different scenarios until you find the best solution. It takes some trial and error, but it's all part of the process.
- The necessity of usability testing, but I had to submit this challenge within just three days. If I had more time, I would have conducted usability testing to see how users navigate and use this feature, and made adjustments based on their feedback.
