Where Creativity Meets Community.
TLDR;
Project Highlights and Fundamentals
My Personal Role
UX/UI Designer
Skills Incorporated
Branding, Design Thinking, Wireframing, Prototyping, User Testing
Timeline of Project
2 Weeks: Discovery & Research
2 Weeks: Ideation & Branding
3 Weeks: Prototyping & User Testing
Deliverables
Figma Prototypes
FigJam
Understanding the Problem
Discovering pain points users face through empathy and research
Creativity seems to be waning in our society, especially because many adults are struggling to manage busy schedules, and AI is encroaching on traditional artistic domains. In response, we began a study to understand and address this issue. As creatives ourselves, we resonate deeply with the struggle of finding time for artistic expression amidst the chaos and demands of life. Our overarching goal is to counteract the decline in creative engagement by fostering supportive environments where individuals can share their projects, discover inspiration, and reignite their passion for creation. We envision a future where artistic expression thrives, and individuals of all ages find solace and encouragement in their creative endeavors.
Generative Research Findings: What Is The Relationship Between Hobbies, Creativity, & Technology?
Hobbies offer stress relief, personal growth, social connections, and enhanced creativity
People tend to avoid hobbies due to lack of time, burnout, fear of judgement, and over-reliance of technology
Without hobbies, individuals may face increased screen time, social isolation, and distraction. Addiction to technology displaces fulfilling activities, leading to choosing digital activities over real-world interactions
Things that influence the availability of hobbies include access to information and resources, the rise of online communities, accessibility, and inclusivity
Creativity thrives with relaxation and collaboration, facilitated by the internet, bringing about innovation expression.
User Interviews
Each team member conducted two user interviews, aimed at further understanding young people’s current relationship with technology, their autonomy over their free time, and creativity. We interviewed a total of 4 people, providing 110+ data points, 3 main themes, and 9 insights.
“I hate how much time I spend on my phone. It takes away an opportunity to learn something new or engage in creative hobbies.”
“AI works wonders for people but it also creates some harm. While it helps create impressive art, it strips away the human touch.”
“I am always looking to try new things. I get a warm sense of pride when I do.”
Affinity Mapping
Following the user interviews, our team shifted to affinity mapping to highlight common themes our users were facing. We used FigJam to organize comments and identify common pain points. This gave us a thorough understanding of what our users needed in a platform aimed at fostering creativity and community. This process paved a clear path for refining CraftShare to cater to the diverse dimensions of creative expression, shaped by our users' perspectives.
User Research Main Themes + Insights
Theme 1: Technology User Behaviors
Individuals struggle to balance technology use with creative pursuits, often feeling overwhelmed by screen time.
While some embrace AI as a creative tool, others express concerns about its impact on the authenticity and intentionality of art.
Autonomy over free time is valued, but many feel unsure how to utilize it effectively amidst technological distractions.
Theme 2: Creativity and Community
Creative expression is deeply intertwined with personal lifestyle and hobbies, serving as a means of relaxation and self-expression.
There's a desire for more intentional engagement with creative activities, driven by a need for personal fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment.
Community plays a significant role in inspiring creativity, whether through shared experiences, collaboration, or exposure to diverse perspectives.
Theme 3: Social Media Use
Social media platforms elicit mixed feelings, with users experiencing both inspiration and discouragement from their online interactions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced creative habits and hobbies, prompting experimentation with new activities and interests.
While technology facilitates learning and discovery, it also poses challenges in maintaining a healthy balance between online and offline activities.
User Persona
We crafted a persona to represent our ideal user. Our user research highlighted that a sample user of ours would be aged between 18-25, a creative person, and would struggle to find time to be creative due to other responsibilities. By understanding her frustrations and needs, our user persona helped shape our ideation and design process, ensuring that CraftShare addresses the challenges and desires of people like Hailey seeking a supportive and inspiring creative community.
Problem Statement
Adults struggle to find time for creative pursuits amidst busy schedules and increasing technological distractions. Despite a desire for meaningful artistic engagement and community, the rise of AI and overwhelming screen time further discourage creative expression.
Developing a Solution
Using what we had learned to create a customized product fit to our user’s needs
Competitive Analysis
Our team conducted a comprehensive competitive analysis to understand current market trends and evaluate similar products. We identified key characteristics, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. This process revealed essential features to include in CraftShare, such as the ability to search and save inspiration, daily challenges, discover local events, and a profile page to showcase artwork and list it for sale.
Final Solution
CraftShare is a dynamic platform tailored to rekindle creativity in adults who struggle to find time for artistic pursuits. Users can search for and save inspiration and tutorials, tackle daily challenges to enhance their skills, and create a personalized art book with options to list items for sale. CraftShare invites users to participate in local events, share projects, and explore new creative expressions. By promoting community engagement and offering a supportive environment, CraftShare not only dismantles barriers to creativity but also fosters a flourishing artistic community.
User Flow
Our team then crafted a user flow that prioritized intuitive navigation and a seamless user experience in CraftShare.
Key:
Designing & Iterating
Developing CraftShare as a brand and incorporating user feedback as we develop high-fidelity wireframes
Brand Identity
We wanted CraftShare to embody a vibrant and welcoming community, invoking a warm feeling when someone enters the app. We played with color theory, iconography, and vector art to create a cohesive and inspiring visual identity.
Low Fidelity Wireframes
Homepage
Events, Calendar, and Daily Challenges
Profile (Posts, Shop, Awards, Saves) & Navigation Bar
Mid Fidelity Wireframes
Homepage
Events, Calendar, Design Challenges, and Navigation Bar
Profile (Posts, Shop, Awards, Saves)
Incorporating User Feedback
Etsy Integration & Listings
Concern: What happens if I already have an Etsy page with dozens of listings? Do I have to manually add everything one by one?
Solution: Implemented an Etsy integration feature.
Daily Challenges
Concern: Can I view other daily challenges? How can I see what my friends or others may be working on?
Solution: Users can view other submissions after they submit their own.
Profile Registration
Concern: If our profile is meant to be a digital artbook, how can it be personalized?
Solution: Added the option for users to include not only a profile picture but also a custom banner image.
Event Registration
Concern: Can I register for events through the app, or only view them?
Solution: Provided one-click registration that automatically sends event details to the contact info on file.
High Fidelity Wireframes
Prototypes
Completing the design phase by incorporating insights from user research and seamlessly integrating them into the finalized designs.
Search & Save
Browse and save inspiration from a vast pool of user projects. Search and watch how-to videos to broaden your crafting skills.
Daily Challenges
Engage in daily challenges to try different mediums, enhance your skills and share your creations with the community.
Making a Post
Showcase your creative projects & build a digital portfolio on your profile. Option to credit inspiration sources.
Events & Calendar
Discover and register for local art events like crochet clubs and paint nights, connecting with the local art community.
Profile Page
Your own Digital Art Book. Display projects, list items for sale, view awards, and check your art gallery of saved collections.
Final Takeaways
Reflecting on CraftShare as a project
This project presented unique challenges as it was undertaken by just two of us, covering the research, ideation, and prototyping phases on our own rather than in a larger group. This structure pushed us to stretch our creative boundaries in ways we hadn't before. This experience also sparked broader discussions about the future possibilities for CraftShare. As we envisioned the next few years to a decade, we realized the potential for expanding beyond a digital platform. We imagined establishing physical spaces that bridge the gap between a vibrant online community and tangible, collaborative environments. Our idea is to create not just venues for scheduled events—like those we would book in coffee shops or community centers—but also permanent spaces where members can freely engage in creative activities anytime, whether that's working on a painting, writing a book, etc.
Encore? Reach out!
