KLUB
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Location Based Social Media App for Clubbers
Role UX/UI Designer
Tools Figma, Adobe Photoshop
Year 2022
Overview
KLUB is a location based social networking app designed to connect people in dance clubs. Based on Gen Z’s communication habits and designed to be a digital extension of the real world, KLUB allows the user to see who’s around them at the party and start a conversation in real time, making real-life interactions easier and more organic. It also allows the user to keep in touch with their friends and know their location in the club at all time, making for a safer party experience.
Context
Social media has completely changed the way that people find and build relationships with one another. With the proliferation of dating apps and social networking sites, people now have more opportunities to meet and connect with others, to interact with like minded people and to form meaningful connections. However, social media can also lead to a false sense of connection and replace real-life interactions, leading to a decrease in face-to-face communication and a reliance on virtual interactions. I decided to create an app that enhances in-person connections rather than replacing them, and chose to focus on dance clubs due to the unique energy of the club scene. I wanted to create an app that will allow users form real-life connections with others who share their love of dancing and partying, while keeping the convenience and connectivity of a social networking app.
App Goals
Make real-life interactions easier for people who usually use their phone to communicate and to form new connections.
Connect people with similar interests.
Promote safe and consensual interactions.
Extend the options for social and professional networking.
Build a community.
Create a better clubbing experience by making it easy for users to stay in touch with friends and know their location.
Research
In my research I focused on two main topics:
Gen Z and their social media habits
Current and upcoming trends in social media apps
Gen Z
(Born 1997-2012)
They are Digital Natives, born into a world with internet, smartphones and social media, which has highly influenced how they interact with their environment
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Their attention span is only 8 seconds and they they multitask across multiple screens
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They operate in a world of constant communication with friends and family. They prefer digital methods of communication and communicates with images and videos
They are passionate community builders, actively participating in communities built around common interests on many different platforms, such as Reddit and Discord
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Their purchasing habits shift toward social media and digital payments
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They’ve lived much of their teen and young adult lives in a more progressive and accepting society. More members of the Gen Z group identify as LGBTQ+ than any others
Much of their identity is forged by content they create and share. They see technology as an extension of their normal life, but are also protective of their privacy online
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They’re very active on social media: nearly two-thirds (64%) use social media several times a day
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YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok most popular social media platforms and their primary motivation for using social media is the need to be entertained
User Experience
Following my research findings, I formulated the main points to guide my work process:
More visuals, less texts: The app should be visually-driven and heavily rely on user generated content such as images and videos.
Inclusivity: Make it Gen Z friendly.
Privacy: Allow the user decide the level of exposure/anonymity.
Sleek and intuitive design: Design for users with short attention span.
Design Concept
I wanted the app to:
Feel like an extension of the real space - clubby and crowded - allowing the user to “move” between interacting with a defined group of friends and interacting with strangers.
Be easy to use in dimly lit nightclubs and when the user’s vision is impaired: Dark mode, large, easy-to-read text, buttons and icons, bright colors, high contrast.
Imitate the way Gen Z’ers communicate: Keeping texts short and to the point and using only lower case letters.
Color and Style
Bright, neon, cyberpunk-inspired color palette, with a combination of poison purple and yellow-green to make it edgy and contemporary.
Screens
Party Feed
HOME
Feed
Allowing users to share photos and videos and post updates for all users to see and interact with other users through likes and comments
Friendz Panel
Users who were added as friends have a white ring around their profile picture so that they are easily recognizable. Dragging the panel down takes the user to the friendz zone
Everyone Panel
Dragging it up extends the panel
Everyone
Everyone Panel
Here the user can scroll and view all users who are visible
Stories
Users can add stories to their profile, which are visually indicated by a colorful ring around their profile picture
Friendz Zone
Friends Group Chat
Allowing users to connect with a select group of users
Easy to Read Interface Elements
Large text, uttons that are easy to tap, bright colors, high contrast
Chats Inbox
Private Chat
User Profile
Personal Information and Preferences
Making it easy for the user to connect with others who share their interests
Privacy and Safety
The user decides their level of exposure and how recognizable they want to be. They can choose to be anonymous/pseudonymous or use their real information and photo. Other than using as a safety measure, anonymity provides space for users to express themselves freely and form a connection before exposing their identity (similar to Twitter).
Interaction Preferences
Allowing the user to set boundaries and communicate their preferences to guarantee safe and consensual interactions
Instagram Integration
Users can integrate Instagram into their profile so that it will display their recent Instagram photos
Frequently Contacted Users