Overview:
Gray is a mobile application that helps people reconnect with friends from their past whom they have lost contact
with over time. It offers a search function that allows users to find their old friends based on various criteria like
name, location, education, interests, etc. The platform's main goal is to facilitate the rekindling of old friendships
and create a space for reminiscing, catching up, and building new memories.
Overview:
Gray is a mobile application that helps people
reconnect with friends from their past whom
they have lost contact with over time.
It offers a search function that allows users
to find their old friends based on various
criteria like name, location, education,
interests, etc. The platform's main goal is to
facilitate the rekindling of old friendships and
create a space for reminiscing, catching up,
and building new memories.
Gray
Gray
Role:
Role:
User Experience (UX) Designer
UX Designer
Team:
Team:
Fawaz Ojomu
Fawaz Ojomu
(Solo)
(Solo)
Duration:
Duration:
4 Weeks
4 Weeks
App Concept:
This project idea isn’t mine, the concept was fabricated by a friend of mine (Tife). He literally reached out to me to ask
about how tight my schedule was, we set up a meeting, and he shared the project idea with me, it sounded very
interesting to me, so I said yes to a collaboration. Ultimately, Tife reached out to me again, to tell me how busy he would
be in the coming days, he said he was travelling for an opportunity he recently got, I congratulated him, and he asked
me to just carry on with the project if I’m capable of running it alone, yeah sure, I’m capable.
I’m giving the project idea credit to Tife!
App Concept:
This project idea isn’t mine, the concept was
fabricated by a friend of mine (Tife).
He literally reached out to me to ask about
how tight my schedule was, we set up a
meeting, and he shared the project idea with
me, it sounded very interesting to me, so I
said yes to a collaboration. Ultimately, Tife
reached out to me again, to tell me how busy
he would be in the coming days, he said he
was travelling for an opportunity he recently
got, I congratulated him, and he asked me to
just carry on with the project if I’m capable
of running it alone, yeah sure, I’m capable.
I’m giving the project idea credit to Tife!
Design Process:
My design process differ sometimes, it depends on the kind of project I’m working on, but I really like sticking to these
steps when I’m working on personal projects:
Understand
Research
Analysis
Design
Test
Now, let’s see how it works!
Design Process:
My design process differ sometimes, it depends
on the kind of project I’m working on, but I really
like sticking to these steps when I’m working on
personal projects:
Understand
Research
Analysis
Design
Test
Now, let’s see how it works!
Understand:
I was able to understand the app concept easily, because I've attempted to reconnect with old acquaintances in the
past without success. I was also able to comprehend the product's primary objective (the search functionality)
and how it would effectively solve the problem. Even though the project's concept seemed simple, I was still a little
confused. I wasn't exactly sure how the finished product would look, but I was aware that the search functionality
would be its main focus.
Understand:
I was able to understand the app concept easily,
because I've attempted to reconnect with old
acquaintances in the past without success.
I was also able to comprehend the product's
primary objective (the search functionality)
and how it would effectively solve the problem.
Even though the project's concept seemed
simple, I was still a little confused. I wasn't
exactly sure how the finished product would
look, but I was aware that the search functionality
would be its main focus.
Research & Analysis:
For the research phase, I knew already I will be designing an app that helps people reconnect with friends from their
past whom they have lost contact with over time, but that’s not all. I had a conversation with a friend, just for more
insights, to validate initial assumptions, to gather other crucial features that should be considered to be on the app,
and so on.
We had a great one, I could accurately recap a line from the conversation which was: “man, I miss the friends
whose contacts I lost… I believe the only friends I can’t connect with anymore, are the ones that’re now late,
I should be able to reconnect with other ones, as long as they’re here on earth”
Before the conversation, I did some research on reconnection platforms because I wasn't sure if there were any
already existing reconnection platforms. I couldn't really find anything, but I am certain that social media
platforms are somewhat similar (since you can actually find old friends with them too), but one drawback about
social media platforms is that the majority of them lack the specialized search function I'm designing.
Let’s take a look at a social media platform with the most effective “search” function.
Research & Analysis:
For the research phase, I knew already I will be
designing an app that helps people reconnect
with friends from their past whom they have
lost contact with over time, but that’s not all.
I had a conversation with a friend, just for more
insights, to validate initial assumptions, to
gather other crucial features that should be
considered to be on the app, and so on.
We had a great one, I could accurately recap
a line from the conversation which was: “man,
I miss the friends whose contacts I lost… I believe
the only friends I can’t connect with anymore,
are the ones that’re now late, I should be able to
reconnect with other ones, as long as they’re
here on earth”
Before the conversation, I did some research on
reconnection platforms because I wasn't sure if
there were any already existing reconnection
platforms. I couldn't really find anything, but I am
certain that social media platforms are somewhat
similar (since you can actually find old friends with
them too), but one drawback about social media
platforms is that the majority of them lack the
specialized search function I'm designing.
Let’s take a look at a social media platform with
the most effective “search” function.
Facebook is unarguably the most effective social media platform for searching for your friends. Although, there are
other social media platforms for searching for friends, but their “search” function isn’t as effective as Facebook’s.
Now, I can say that Gray’s “search” function is quite extreme and more potent, compared to the most effective
social media platform for searching for your friends, Facebook. We’d get to know how, soon. Almost there!
Also, after learning about social media platforms’ “search” function, I realized my initial statements that social media
platforms’ “search” function aren’t really effective, is quite valid. I believe I’m on the right track!
Now, let’s keep in mind that, even though the main goal of the product is to design a platform that reconnects old
friends (using the specialized search function), but we can’t only focus on just the “search” function, we need to
include more features, just for better experience. Scenario: Imagine attending a high school reunion. While finding
your old friends is the initial excitement, the real magic happens when you start talking to each other, sharing
memories, and catching up on each other's lives. You share stories, laughter, and heartfelt moments, renewing the
bond that once brought you close. Now, think of this platform as a digital reunion hall where old friends come together
to reconnect and create new memories. Just like a physical reunion, it's not just about finding each other in a crowd;
it's about the conversations, interactions, and shared experiences that happen within that space.
Facebook is unarguably the most effective social
media platform for searching for your friends.
Although, there are other social media platforms
for searching for friends, but their “search”
function isn’t as effective as Facebook’s.
Now, I can say that Gray’s “search” function is
quite extreme and more potent, compared to the
most effective social media platform for searching
for your friends, Facebook. We’d get to know how,
soon. Almost there!
Also, after learning about social media platforms’
“search” function, I realized my initial statements
that social media platforms’ “search” function
aren’t really effective, is quite valid. I believe I’m on
the right track!
Now, let’s keep in mind that, even though the main
goal of the product is to design a platform that
reconnects old friends (using the specialized
search function), but we can’t only focus on just
the “search” function, we need to include more
features, just for better experience.
Scenario: Imagine attending a high school reunion.
While finding your old friends is the initial
excitement, the real magic happens when you
start talking to each other, sharing memories, and
catching up on each other's lives. You share
stories, laughter, and heartfelt moments,
renewing the bond that once brought you close.
Now, think of this platform as a digital reunion hall
where old friends come together to reconnect and
create new memories. Just like a physical reunion,
it's not just about finding each other in a crowd;
it's about the conversations, interactions, and
shared experiences that happen within that space.
Now, Let's go!
Now, Let’s go!
Design:
Design:
At this stage, I knew what I was going to do, so I started designing the user interfaces that meet the product’s
goal. I tried as much as possible, to make sure I come up with user-friendly screens.
At this stage, I knew what I was going to do, so I
started designing the user interfaces that meet
the product’s goal. I tried as much as possible,
to make sure I come up with user-friendly screens.
Splash screen & Onboarding:
It was important to swiftly provide users, who/what the app is meant for, to keep them informed of what to
expect before they sign up and start using the app, since it is a new sort of product in the market.
Splash screen & Onboarding:
It was important to swiftly provide users,
who/what the app is meant for, to keep them
informed of what to expect before they sign up
and start using the app, since it is a new sort of
product in the market.
Registration:
It was also important to ensure the registration process is quite thorough, for the purpose of gathering detailed
information about each user, and to make it simple for users to find their old friends, using the specialized
“search” feature.
Registration:
It was also important to ensure the registration
process is quite thorough, for the purpose of
gathering detailed information about each user,
and to make it simple for users to find their old
friends, using the specialized “search” feature.
Main screen & the Search feature:
The main screen was designed mainly to show the user’s location, the search button, and how the filter makes finding
old friends quite easy. Users might not get any proper result if they search for old friends without the filter button,
but as soon as the filter is used, they get results that are practically accurate.
Main screen & the Search feature:
The main screen was designed mainly to show the
user’s location, the search button, and how the
filter makes finding old friends quite easy.
Users might not get any proper result if they
search for old friends without the filter button,
but as soon as the filter is used, they get results
that are practically accurate.
Searched profiles:
After getting results from the search, users can view searched profiles, add them to their Re-connects list by sending
a re-connection request (if the searched profile looks like who/what they’re looking for), and also view their 24hrs
stories (after request is accepted).
Searched profiles:
After getting results from the search, users can
view searched profiles, add them to their
Re-connects list by sending a re-connection
request (if the searched profile looks like who/what
they’re looking for), and also view their 24hrs
stories (after request is accepted).
Chats:
Re-connection request accepted? Cool. Now, users are free to chat with the old friends they’ve added to their
Re-connects list. Text messages, voice calls, and video calls, can be used to communicate with old friends, on the
platform, instead of referring themselves to social media platforms. Also, the chat channel is divided into two sections,
one is direct messages (where users can with re-connects, individually) , and the other one is group chat
(where users can be create groups within mutual friends)
Chats:
Re-connection request accepted? Cool. Now, users
are free to chat with the old friends they’ve added
to their Re-connects list. Text messages, voice calls,
and video calls, can be used to communicate with
old friends, on the platform, instead of referring
themselves to social media platforms. Also, the
chat channel is divided into two sections, one is
direct messages (where users can with
re-connects, individually) , and the other one is
group chat (where users can be create groups
within mutual friends)
Upload photos/videos:
It’s very easy for users to upload their photos/videos, by using the in-app camera to take it and upload, or by uploading
from their device album/gallery. Photos/Videos can be uploaded to two sections, it’s can be uploaded to “story”
or/and “photos/videos”.
Upload photos/videos:
It’s very easy for users to upload their
photos/videos, by using the in-app camera to take
it and upload, or by uploading from their device
album/gallery. Photos/Videos can be uploaded to
two sections, it can be uploaded to “story” or/and
“photos/videos”.
User profile:
Every user can view their own profile at any time. They can view their own story through the user profile’s screen,
view their Re-connects list, view notifications, view upload photos/videos, reset their own profile, and so on.
User profile:
Every user can view their own profile at any time.
They can view their own story through the user
profile’s screen, view their Re-connects list, view
notifications, view upload photos/videos, reset
their own profile, and so on.
Testing & Conclusions:
Each final approach underwent multiple rounds of user evaluation, mainly to ensure that the app is very easy
to use. I realized we can keep going with the design, I mean, I can continue iterating on the designs, but since
we’ve achieved the product’s main goal, I had to just put an end to it, after several iterations.
I realized there’s an heavy limitation the app has: you must create a profile on the platform before there could
be any possibility of finding you on the platform.
Also, I felt some people might be thinking Gray’s a social media platform, no it’s not, it’s a reconnection platform.
How? It focuses on re-connecting with old folks, others are basically used for connecting with new friends.
Now, say: “Gray’s not a social media platform, it’s a reconnection platform.”
I’m so excited to finish up this project. It was supposed to be a collaboration, but the person I was supposed to
collaborate with, got busy, so I did it alone. It’s really a nice project, I learnt different things along the line.
I’m being optimistic. I hope we build this one day, and make reconnection become very easy for a lot of people.
Testing & Conclusions:
Each final approach underwent multiple rounds of
user evaluation, mainly to ensure that the app is
very easy to use. I realized we can keep going with
the design, I mean, I can continue iterating on the
designs, but since we’ve achieved the product’s
main goal, I had to just put an end to it, after
several iterations.
I realized there’s an heavy limitation the app has:
you must create a profile on the platform before
there could be any possibility of finding you on the
platform.
Also, I felt some people might be thinking Gray’s a
social media platform, no it’s not, it’s a reconnection
platform.How? It focuses on re-connecting with old
folks, others are basically used for connecting with
new friends.
Now, say: “Gray’s not a social media platform, it’s a
reconnection platform.”
I’m so excited to finish up this project. It was
supposed to be a collaboration, but the person I was
supposed to collaborate with, got busy, so I did it
alone. It’s really a nice project, I learnt different
things along the line.
I’m being optimistic. I hope we build this one day,
and make reconnection become very easy for a lot
of people.
Let's Connect
Let's Connect
Get in touch for opportunities or say hi
if you would love to collaborate.
Get in touch for opportunities or say hi
if you would love to collaborate.
