PROJECTS / THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Setting the Stage.

Spring 2023 wasn’t just about blooming flowers and chirping birds. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in the immersive environment of INLS 382: Information Systems Analysis & Design, I found myself amid a challenge. A challenge that wasn’t just about understanding theoretical concepts but applying them in a real-world simulation. Our objective was clear yet complex: dive deep into the pain points of your given problem statement, ours related to social media marketing and content creation, specifically for individual content creators and small-scale marketing teams.

Screenshot of the original problem statement my group had to go off of

 

Crafting the Solution: The Social Network.

We named our brainchild "The Social Network." The irony isn’t lost – while its namesake talks about connecting people, ours was about optimizing connections for those who make these platforms tick: the influencers and marketers. Envisioned as a dual web and mobile application, our platform was tailored to keep these professionals a step ahead: from trending hashtags and influential partnerships to scheduling posts.

Before: Hero section of V1 Website

 

The Ensemble and My Role.

My journey was alongside three talented classmates, each bringing unique strengths to the table. While it was collaborative, my contributions took distinct form:

  • Persona Creation: I breathed life into Anna Clark, a Social Media Manager, symbolizing the quintessential user we were designing for.

  • Project Chronology: The creation of the timeline and work plan was my beacon, ensuring our ship sailed smoothly through the turbulent waters of the project.

  • Figma Mastery: I meticulously designed pivotal elements of our Figma prototype, from user profiles to inter-frame interactions. Additionally, I played a supportive role for my teammates, refining aspects like hashtag search functionalities.

Canva presentation of our revised + expanded problem statement and our two personas

 

Challenges & Triumphs.

Every epic tale has its dragons. Ours was no different. Balancing this project with other commitments sometimes felt like a Herculean task. My personal battles with design consistency in Figma led to innovations: from tweaking image settings to create the perfect orange hue for logos, to creating a prototype reference document ensuring uniformity.

The Grand Finale.

Our final presentation wasn't just about showcasing a project. It was a manifestation of our months-long journey, our trials, our innovations, and our learnings. The validation? An 'A' grade, appreciation from our peers, and more than anything, the gratifying experience of steering through the "SDLC" waters, understanding the intricacies of team dynamics, and realizing a collective vision.

In this labyrinth of social media content creation, "The Social Network" emerged not just as a solution but as a testament to collaboration, innovation, and perseverance.

The final Canva presentation for The Social Network

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