Guestlist - Mobile App
A better way for celebrities to share content and interact with their fanbase.
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Background
Problem
There were two problems we were trying to solve for in this space:
Content creators are constantly looking for ways to expand their brand, update their fans, and monetize their content, instagram is one of the main ways they do this. However Instagram is making this harder for the content creator with a cluttered and competitive home feed, bots/ads/bad algorithms, and poorly received updates.
Fans are looking for ways to stay up to date with their favorite artists as well as get a more personal inside look into their life and creative process
Goal
Our objective was to develop a superior method for creators to share content with their fanbase, coupled with a platform that incentivizes and rewards fan engagement. We envisioned a mobile app that would exude the same refined aesthetics as Instagram but with enhanced features that would facilitate seamless interaction and content sharing. We also aimed to address some of the issues Instagram has been criticized for such as spam bots, irrelevant advertisements, and disruptive structural updates. Our app would strive to provide a more authentic and enjoyable experience for creators and fans alike.
Note
This was my first attempt at starting a business and creating a unique digital product from scratch. We presented our vision and ideas to other entrepreneurs, media companies, content creators, and potential investors using the mockups that you will see in this case study. Through this experience, I gained a wealth of knowledge that helped me become a more skilled UX designer and entrepreneur. I'll dive deeper into these insights in the summary section below.
Discovery
Through interviewing content creators and fans, we identified areas where they faced challenges in producing and consuming content. We used this feedback to develop a set of features that address these issues. We also conducted a comparative analysis of media companies that excel in various areas of the space, such as streaming, content viewing, creator engagement and messaging, and group forums centered around a creator.
Design
We showed and tested multiple iterations of the product to gain insight into which features were valuable, what branding direction we should go in, as well as decide which feature sets should be included in the initial version. Through this process, we identified key elements that resonated with our target audience. This allowed us to focus on essential feature sets to include in the first version of our product.
Development
Initially, we faced the challenge of not having the necessary funds to hire a development team to build our product. However, we quickly realized that we were approaching the situation in the wrong way. Instead of focusing solely on the product, we decided to test the market first. We came up with a main hypothesis to test, and we released a proof-of-concept to validate it. We compiled all the bonus videos from a renowned artist and centralized them in one place, to assess whether users were interested in a centralized content platform.
This pivot in our approach allowed us to test the market and a core idea without having to commit a significant amount of resources upfront.
We envisioned a product that offers creator-based series similar to Netflix, while also embracing interaction like Instagram. Our platform will allow for better engagement, communication, and feedback between creators and their fans. We believe that this combination of creator-based series and enhanced interaction will provide a unique and enjoyable experience for both creators and their fanbase. By catering to the needs of creators and fostering a sense of community among their fanbase, our product aims to provide a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.
Creator Series
By centralizing the content that fans crave, they can easily access bonus material and series from all of their favorite creators by visiting a single page. The content is neatly organized and conveniently located for subscribers' viewing pleasure. This approach improves the fan experience and can lead to more engaged and loyal fans, essential for creators looking to grow their audience and establish their brand.
Catered Search
With an improved search experience, fans can now filter through specific categories and discover the most popular creators, as well as search for trending events, conversations, and new content using keywords and hashtags.
Immersive Profile
A creator profile page that acts like an IMDb, linking and citing their music, movies, and live events, with direct ticket purchasing options. Fans can easily browse their favorite creator's work and interests, buy tickets to their events and connect with them on a deeper level. This feature fosters better engagement and interaction between creators and their fans.
Outcomes
01
Was accepted into the Capital Factory for a three month mentorship program.
02
Learned to test product ideas early and often with MVPs and POCs.
03
Improved my skills as a UI designer as well as a start-up entrepreneur.
This startup taught me invaluable skills in Ux design, entrepreneurship, networking, and visual design, which is why I felt it was necessary to include this in my portfolio. Starting your own company means failing fast, pivoting, and failing again, but the wealth of knowledge and experience gained is unmatched. Although the product didn't make it to the app store, the ideation of features that could have addressed crucial gaps in social media and bonus content sites was a noteworthy outcome. The experience I gained from this startup has proven to be immensely useful throughout my career.
