Web app: Feed
The Activity Feed V1 is a centralized hub designed to deliver a personalized, real-time stream of content and user interactions across the Outside Interactive ecosystem. The feed unifies various platforms—such as Gaia GPS, Trailforks, and Read—providing a seamless experience for users to discover, engage with, and share relevant content.
This project was an exciting challenge to design an interface that fosters community and engagement by showcasing curated content and real-time user activities. As the Design Lead, I was critical in shaping the vision, defining the user experience, and collaborating across teams to deliver a highly interactive and user-focused product.
The Problem
Challenge: Engaging users across multiple platforms while maintaining a consistent and personalized user experience is difficult. Users often lack a centralized way to discover and interact with content, leading to fragmented engagement and missed opportunities.
Impact: This results in lower user retention, decreased cross-platform activity, and challenges in fostering community-driven interactions, particularly for outdoor and adventure enthusiasts.
The Audience
The Activity Feed V1 targets:
1. Outdoor Enthusiasts and Platform Users: Individuals seeking a unified, interactive way to engage with content and activities across Outside Interactive’s platforms.
1. Outdoor Enthusiasts and Platform Users: Individuals seeking a unified, interactive way to engage with content and activities across Outside Interactive’s platforms.
2. Platform Authors and Brands: Creators who want to reach their audience effectively through a seamless and engaging feed.
3. Content Creators: Authors and brands who want to expand their reach by sharing updates and engaging directly with users.
The Solution
The Activity Feed V1 unites Outside Interactive’s diverse offerings under a cohesive and user-friendly experience:
1. Personalization: A tailored feed surfaces content and interactions based on user preferences, connections, and platform activity.
2. Interactive Features: Allows users to follow, high-five, bookmark, and share activities or content, fostering deeper engagement.
3.Building Your Network: Building Your Network: Effortlessly discover and connect with users by following them or inviting them to join your circle, fostering a strong sense of community.
My Role
As the Design Lead, I:
• Conducted User Research: Gathered insights through competitive analysis, interviews, and community feedback to understand user needs and challenges.
• Defined User Experience: Designed a user-centric interface emphasizing personalization, accessibility, and seamless interaction.
• Prototyped and Iterated: Developed high-fidelity prototypes and incorporated feedback from usability tests and beta testers.
• Collaborated Across Teams: Partnered with product managers, engineers, and marketing to align the design vision with business goals and user needs.
• Enhanced Interactivity: Crafted interactive components like high-fives, bookmarks, and social sharing that encourage engagement and community building.
The Process
1. Research & Insights
• Conducted competitive analysis to identify gaps in existing activity feed models.
• Interviewed target users, including outdoor enthusiasts and content creators, to understand needs and behaviors.
• Reviewed feedback from beta users to validate design concepts and prioritize features.
2. Design & Prototyping
• Created high-fidelity wireframes and mockups for core feed components, such as activity cards and follow suggestions.
• Developed interaction flows for key actions, including high-fiving, sharing, and bookmarking content.
• Designed scalable, modular components for use across platforms.
3. Testing & Iteration
• Conducted usability tests to refine the interface and improve navigation and interactivity.
• Worked closely with engineering teams to address implementation challenges and iterate on designs.
Results & Impact
• Improved Engagement: Simplified user interaction across platforms, increasing activity and session duration.
• Positive User Feedback: Users appreciated the personalized, engaging experience and seamless design.
• Increased Retention: Enhanced community features fostered long-term platform use.
• Strategic Differentiation: Positioned Outside Interactive as a leader in personalized, community-driven content platforms.
Reflection
Designing the Activity Feed V1 allowed me to bridge diverse user needs with business objectives. I learned the importance of balancing personalization, interactivity, and real-time updates to create a cohesive experience.
Future Enhancements
• Advanced AI Recommendations: Introduce an AI-powered suggestion engine to surface even more personalized content and connections.
• Dynamic Privacy Controls: Allow users to manage their public and private activities granularly.
• Cross-Platform Notifications: Streamline alerts and updates across all platforms to boost user re-engagement.
