Start-up
Social
Blog
China
Network for Chinese community
Network for Chinese community
Network for Chinese community
An online resource for calculating loan sums and collecting information on institutions approving your credit
An online resource for calculating loan sums and collecting information on institutions approving your credit
An online resource for calculating loan sums and collecting information on institutions approving your credit
2022 - 6 months
Timeline
Product Designer, Co-Founder
My role
User Flows, Prototyping
My contribution
Spoiler
Spoiler
If you have no time to read
If you have no time to read
What we had
A startup whose goal is to create a single platform for more than 10 million Chinese outside the PRC, where they can communicate, blog, share locations and organize meetings and many other things.
What I've done
Together with a design colleague, I conducted a market analysis, conducted surveys, compiled a profile of a user of Chinese citizens outside their country, created a user flow MVP in 4 months, prepared a mini-design system, made banners for publication on social networks
What we've got
In 5 months we created an MVP application and successfully released it on Google PlayMarket
More than 2.5K people downloaded the app in the first monthLeft the startup after MVP rollout
Overview
Overview
Creating an application platform to unite Chinese citizens around the world outside of China. It will combine social news aggregation, content rating, and forum social network. Registered users (commonly referred to as "Redditors") submit content to the site such as links, text posts, images, and videos, which are then voted up or down by other members.
Creating an application platform to unite Chinese citizens around the world outside of China. It will combine social news aggregation, content rating, and forum social network. Registered users (commonly referred to as "Redditors") submit content to the site such as links, text posts, images, and videos, which are then voted up or down by other members.
My role
My role
I joined the startup as a co-founder and UX/UI specialist. During the initial phase of collaboration, we had individual consultations with the CEO and fellow team members, discussing product evolution and its intended design. Thus, there existed an environment that encouraged a free exchange of concepts and suggestions.
I joined the startup as a co-founder and UX/UI specialist. During the initial phase of collaboration, we had individual consultations with the CEO and fellow team members, discussing product evolution and its intended design. Thus, there existed an environment that encouraged a free exchange of concepts and suggestions.
Goals
Goals
1
Union
Unite Chinese citizens around the world. Success metric - downloads and further registration of more than 2000 users in the first month
1
Union
Unite Chinese citizens around the world. Success metric - downloads and further registration of more than 2000 users in the first month
1
Union
Unite Chinese citizens around the world. Success metric - downloads and further registration of more than 2000 users in the first month
2
Short creation time
Create an application profit center in a short period of time (from April to August)
2
Short creation time
Create an application profit center in a short period of time (from April to August)
2
Short creation time
Create an application profit center in a short period of time (from April to August)
Design Process
Design Process
Initially, my design partner Raam and I drafted a strategy for our project. Instead of strictly following the double diamond approach, which I am increasingly leaning on, we had to adjust due to the startup's tight schedule for the MVP implementation. We were unable to undertake certain processes, like evaluating or testing final prototypes on humans.
Initially, my design partner Raam and I drafted a strategy for our project. Instead of strictly following the double diamond approach, which I am increasingly leaning on, we had to adjust due to the startup's tight schedule for the MVP implementation. We were unable to undertake certain processes, like evaluating or testing final prototypes on humans.
Initially, my design partner Raam and I drafted a strategy for our project. Instead of strictly following the double diamond approach, which I am increasingly leaning on, we had to adjust due to the startup's tight schedule for the MVP implementation. We were unable to undertake certain processes, like evaluating or testing final prototypes on humans.
After analyzing competitors and drawing sketches of the future user flow, my colleague and I divided areas of responsibility (for example, I was responsible for designing the Home page, he was responsible for the internal pages of the Profile, etc.), which I will discuss below.
After analyzing competitors and drawing sketches of the future user flow, my colleague and I divided areas of responsibility (for example, I was responsible for designing the Home page, he was responsible for the internal pages of the Profile, etc.), which I will discuss below.
After analyzing competitors and drawing sketches of the future user flow, my colleague and I divided areas of responsibility (for example, I was responsible for designing the Home page, he was responsible for the internal pages of the Profile, etc.), which I will discuss below.
Competitor Analysis
Competitor Analysis
My colleague and I decided to explore each application separately, with the condition that we can repeat ourselves, since opinions and analysis may differ, which will only be a plus. After the analysis, we discussed everything with the managers and decided what to adopt into our product.
My colleague and I decided to explore each application separately, with the condition that we can repeat ourselves, since opinions and analysis may differ, which will only be a plus. After the analysis, we discussed everything with the managers and decided what to adopt into our product.
My colleague and I decided to explore each application separately, with the condition that we can repeat ourselves, since opinions and analysis may differ, which will only be a plus. After the analysis, we discussed everything with the managers and decided what to adopt into our product.
I began scrutinizing applications linked to blogs, news outlets, and social media platforms. In an unprecedented move, I delved into popular applications originating from Southeast Asia to comprehend their design ideology distinctively, as it starkly contrasts with products from Kazakhstan and the CIS. An instance is the minimalist UI aesthetic in my homeland — there's bountiful space between components, the buttons and various interactive elements instigating targeted actions have a substantial clickable field. In contrast, I observed a counter trend in Southeast Asian product design which tends towards condensed elements on a single page, an overload of text and visuals.
I began scrutinizing applications linked to blogs, news outlets, and social media platforms. In an unprecedented move, I delved into popular applications originating from Southeast Asia to comprehend their design ideology distinctively, as it starkly contrasts with products from Kazakhstan and the CIS. An instance is the minimalist UI aesthetic in my homeland — there's bountiful space between components, the buttons and various interactive elements instigating targeted actions have a substantial clickable field. In contrast, I observed a counter trend in Southeast Asian product design which tends towards condensed elements on a single page, an overload of text and visuals.
I began scrutinizing applications linked to blogs, news outlets, and social media platforms. In an unprecedented move, I delved into popular applications originating from Southeast Asia to comprehend their design ideology distinctively, as it starkly contrasts with products from Kazakhstan and the CIS. An instance is the minimalist UI aesthetic in my homeland — there's bountiful space between components, the buttons and various interactive elements instigating targeted actions have a substantial clickable field. In contrast, I observed a counter trend in Southeast Asian product design which tends towards condensed elements on a single page, an overload of text and visuals.
As a result, we presented our market research to the team and, with a few hours of brainstorming, discussed what we take into the MVP
As a result, we presented our market research to the team and, with a few hours of brainstorming, discussed what we take into the MVP
As a result, we presented our market research to the team and, with a few hours of brainstorming, discussed what we take into the MVP
UX Journey Map
UX Journey Map
After analyzing data from market research and profit center formation, I sketched out the flow of the entire application very superficially. Next, together with a colleague, we divided the entire flow into important stages (for example: Onboarding, Registration, Home page, Profile, etc.) and each made a more detailed sketch of the flow for each department
After analyzing data from market research and profit center formation, I sketched out the flow of the entire application very superficially. Next, together with a colleague, we divided the entire flow into important stages (for example: Onboarding, Registration, Home page, Profile, etc.) and each made a more detailed sketch of the flow for each department
After analyzing data from market research and profit center formation, I sketched out the flow of the entire application very superficially. Next, together with a colleague, we divided the entire flow into important stages (for example: Onboarding, Registration, Home page, Profile, etc.) and each made a more detailed sketch of the flow for each department
User Persona
User Persona
The most crucial step in building personas is that they are actually being used. They shouldn't become a relic or dusty file inside a Google Drive; they should guide product decisions, help to target people in marketing, and assist in design discussions.
1
Bringing a new dimension to user experiences and interfaces.
The most crucial step in building personas is that they are actually being used. They shouldn't become a relic or dusty file inside a Google Drive; they should guide product decisions, help to target people in marketing, and assist in design discussions.
The most crucial step in building personas is that they are actually being used. They shouldn't become a relic or dusty file inside a Google Drive; they should guide product decisions, help to target people in marketing, and assist in design discussions.
In any product, it is very important to constantly maintain a dialogue with users; it is even better to do it live. But since I did not have such an opportunity, I did it online. For this purpose, I used the application for learning a foreign language - Tandem, which has a great opportunity to find people from anywhere on the planet. And my target was precisely people from China living outside of China. I spoke with 20+ people of different ages and professions and painted a portrait of users of frequently encountered people. I preliminarily outlined our dialogue and what I want to get from the conversation
1
Bringing a new dimension to user experiences and interfaces.
In any product, it is very important to constantly maintain a dialogue with users; it is even better to do it live. But since I did not have such an opportunity, I did it online. For this purpose, I used the application for learning a foreign language - Tandem, which has a great opportunity to find people from anywhere on the planet. And my target was precisely people from China living outside of China. I spoke with 20+ people of different ages and professions and painted a portrait of users of frequently encountered people. I preliminarily outlined our dialogue and what I want to get from the conversation
In any product, it is very important to constantly maintain a dialogue with users; it is even better to do it live. But since I did not have such an opportunity, I did it online. For this purpose, I used the application for learning a foreign language - Tandem, which has a great opportunity to find people from anywhere on the planet. And my target was precisely people from China living outside of China. I spoke with 20+ people of different ages and professions and painted a portrait of users of frequently encountered people. I preliminarily outlined our dialogue and what I want to get from the conversation
* Names and photos are not real to maintain confidentiality.
1
Bringing a new dimension to user experiences and interfaces.
* Names and photos are not real to maintain confidentiality.
* Names and photos are not real to maintain confidentiality.
Branding
Branding
Together with the marketing department, we chose brand colors and a logo. We relied on bright and peaceful colors. We offered several SEO options and chose orange, yellow and blue colors
Together with the marketing department, we chose brand colors and a logo. We relied on bright and peaceful colors. We offered several SEO options and chose orange, yellow and blue colors
Together with the marketing department, we chose brand colors and a logo. We relied on bright and peaceful colors. We offered several SEO options and chose orange, yellow and blue colors
Later, together with the CEO, we developed a content plan before the release and I drew banners and visuals for social networks
Later, together with the CEO, we developed a content plan before the release and I drew banners and visuals for social networks
Later, together with the CEO, we developed a content plan before the release and I drew banners and visuals for social networks
Results
Results
1
Project implementation timeframe
It took our team about 6 months to implement the profit center, which took 5 months to design. Designers were always involved in all discussions with the CEO, product owner, manager
1
Project implementation timeframe
It took our team about 6 months to implement the profit center, which took 5 months to design. Designers were always involved in all discussions with the CEO, product owner, manager
1
Project implementation timeframe
It took our team about 6 months to implement the profit center, which took 5 months to design. Designers were always involved in all discussions with the CEO, product owner, manager
2
Download and registration
In the first month after the implementation of the MVP and the rollout of the application in the Google Play Market, the download rate was about 2.5 K users, in which about 2 K successfully registered and used the application.
2
Download and registration
In the first month after the implementation of the MVP and the rollout of the application in the Google Play Market, the download rate was about 2.5 K users, in which about 2 K successfully registered and used the application.
2
Download and registration
In the first month after the implementation of the MVP and the rollout of the application in the Google Play Market, the download rate was about 2.5 K users, in which about 2 K successfully registered and used the application.
Hi-Fi
Hi-Fi
1
Bringing a new dimension to user experiences and interfaces.
In the realm of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have emerged as game-changers, particularly in the field of UI/UX design. The integration of these advanced technologies is reshaping how we approach design, offering new possibilities and challenges. This post aims to explore how AI and machine learning are influencing the field of UI/UX, bringing a new dimension to user experiences and interfaces.
1
Bringing a new dimension to user experiences and interfaces.
In the realm of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have emerged as game-changers, particularly in the field of UI/UX design. The integration of these advanced technologies is reshaping how we approach design, offering new possibilities and challenges. This post aims to explore how AI and machine learning are influencing the field of UI/UX, bringing a new dimension to user experiences and interfaces.
1
Bringing a new dimension to user experiences and interfaces.
In the realm of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have emerged as game-changers, particularly in the field of UI/UX design. The integration of these advanced technologies is reshaping how we approach design, offering new possibilities and challenges. This post aims to explore how AI and machine learning are influencing the field of UI/UX, bringing a new dimension to user experiences and interfaces.
Retrospective
This was one of the first experiences of working with a startup in which communication was entirely in English, which was new to me at that moment.
Working at a startup taught me to be fully responsible for the process from A to Z, to independently write out a work plan in advance, and to be able to defend my decisions even more than I did before.
Tools
Tools
Figma
Photoshop
Illustrator
Principle
Team
Me
Product Designer
Wunkit Lu
Product Owner
Claude de Toit
Product Manager
Raam Pujanga Sadewa
Product Designer
Greg Yap
Software Engineering Lead
Eunice Huang
Marketing Specialist
Lucas Figueiredo
Mobile Engineer
Ganesh Nayanajith
Software Engineer
Calvin Choi
CEO
