OVERVIEW
PRODUCT
A mobile app that provides a space for Tibetans to consume news, share ideas and connect with other Tibetans around the globe.
PROJECT DURATION
June - Oct 202
MY ROLE
UX Designer
RESPONSIBILITIES
Coming up with the initial concept, user research, wireframe, prototype, and final design.
Tools
Figma
BACKSTORY
Ever since the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959, large groups of Tibetans have scattered worldwide. Though they have created communities where they went, there hasn’t been any successful platform where communities can share their lives, stories, news, and ideas. Social media sites such as Facebook have been helpful, but they lack a sense of closeness and community since it is a big platform catering to billions.
PROBLEM
Recently, more and more Tibetans have started to use WeChat as one of the main communication channels, which is troublesome. Tibetans are simultaneously seeking independence from the CCP while handing them all of our sensitive data via WeChat. As most Tibetans move their lives online, it is essential to provide a virtual space to connect while keeping sensitive information away from the CCP
PROPOSAL
A secure mobile app that provides a space for Tibetans to consume news, share ideas, and connect with other Tibetans around the globe. The app will provide a virtual space that evokes a feeling of being home for those who cannot visit Tibet due to political reasons while keeping the sensitive data away from the Chinese Communis Party
KEY GOALS
Create a digital home
Keep sensitive information away from CCP
Provide the latest Tibetan news
Connect with Tibetans around the globe
RESEARCH
RESEARCH METHODS
Primary Research (surveys and interviews)
Secondary Research (market and product research)
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
As mentioned above, WeChat is one of the main communication channels amongst Tibetans, which is troublesome. They simultaneously seek independence from the CCP while handing them sensitive data via WeChat.
According to my surveyors, Facebook has been a helpful platform for many to share and receive Tibetan news. However, the platform is far too large and generic as they are built to cater to 2 billion people. Furthermore, the recent onslaught of fake news and negative press has created much doubt about the validity of news
Primary Research
For this part of the research, I interviewed thirteen people across five States. Nine were under thirty and four over thirty. Everyone used some form of social media which wasn’t that surprising. The top three most-used apps were Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. Average users spend about 4 hours a day on social media apps, and Instagram was the favorite app, followed by Facebook.
KEY FINDINGS
Nearly all participants agreed that using WeChat is terrible for our cause
Most users stopped using after this realization, and whenever possible, they try to educate their parents
The majority of interviewees got their news via word of mouth from friends and family or social media sites like Facebook.
Many participants stated that they do not actively seek news related to Tibetans due to inconvenience.
Many argued the validity of sources in news sites like Phayul (popular Tibetan News site). The website is outdated, with tons of spam and ads.
USER PERSONA
Using insights from the data gathered through the survey and market research, I created a persona that reflected my target user base.
User Flow
Wireflow
USER TESTING
Due to Covid, I conducted my usability testing remotely. I moderated think-aloud testing over Zoom and facetime. Users were instructed to share their thoughts and feelings aloud while performing the given task. Users were tasked to read specific news, find the latest forum, and open the most recent message.
FINDINGS AND SOLUTIONS
1. Home page confusion
Problem
Users were confused seeing the feed as a home screen. They expected to see the news as a landing page since the app is built to predominantly consumes news. Furthermore, the feed was unnecessary since users were not required to log in to consume the content.
Solution
Removed the feed and replaced the home screen with a news page. By doing so, users can immediately consume the news without needing extra clicks.
2. Tibetan Text
Problem
After the user test and further research, I realized that most Tibetans, especially the youth, could not read Tibetan scripts. So having the news in Tibetan script was unnecessary.
Solution
Removed the toggle between English and Tibetan and replaced it with a quick toggles button for recent, top, and trending. This will allow the user to consume popular or recent news quickly.
3. Icon confusion
Solution
Replaced the forum icon to differentiate from the message icon and placed text under each icon to eliminate future confusion.
Problem
All test subjects got confused between the forum and the chat icon. They mentioned that it was too similar, and nearly all users accidentally clicked on the forum icon when instructed to check the message or vice versa.
