ABOUT THE ARQIVE
The arqive is an online map of LGBTQ+ stories (histories, herstories, theirstories) and resources created and collected by and for queer people worldwide to serve as a resource and a reminder that we are here, we've always been here, and we always will be.
What I did?
I advocated for the project by leading the User Experience & Interface Design process by conducting interviews with stakeholders & users, user surveys, competitive analysis, personas, storyboards, low/high fidelity wireframes, design systems, & prototypes. Throughout the process, I collaborated with the Frontend and Backend development teams.
This is the story of how I helped transition The arqive from a website into a social media storytelling application for the LGBTQ+ community.
THE CHALLENGE
Having to access through a web browser discourages users from staying engaged on the site
• The arqive was founded in 2014, then revamped in 2019, but has less than 200 users
• The arqive is currently set up as desktop only
• The arqive website was revamped in 2019 but had less than 200 active users
FACTS
GOAL
How might we make The arqive accessible to the LGBTQ+ community to help increase user engagement?
• Transition The arqive from a website into a social media application to help increase user engagement
• It would open opportunities for The arqive to reach new users internationally
USER INTERVIEWS
10 participants volunteered in our interview
We reached out to LGBTQ+ affiliates and curious individuals who would be interested in getting their input about their experience on social media support on LGBTQ+ community.
KEY INSIGHTS
• Most participants said they did not feel safe sharing any information about their sexuality on social media
• After gaining insights into views about the LGBTQ+ community and social media, I wanted to analyze how social media sites handled this situation.
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
Analyzing social media LGBTQ+ friendliness
A competitive analysis was conducted to understand how LGBTQ+ community groups were represented on social media. After further analysis, we learned some key features social media apps were missing to protect LGBTQ+ privacy.
KEY INSIGHTS
• A new study reported by GLADD said, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube were all unsafe for the LGBTQ+ community.
QUALITATIVE INSIGHTS
An anonymous survey was conducted with 15 participants.
MEET OUR USERS
INSIGHTS ON USER PERSONA
The research gathered through surveys, interviews, and competitive analysis shows that the LGBTQ+ community isn't equally represented on social media. LGBTQ+ community needs a platform where they can post freely, share images of affection, and have the option to set their profile as private or post anonymously to protect their privacy.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Build a mobile application of The arqive where people can feel safe being part of the LGBTQ+ community.
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
Task flow
Based on the research gathered, it is essential for users to have the option to set their profile as private to protect their identity and personal choice. In this task flow, the user will sign up for an account and set their account to anonymous.
USER FLOW
This is an observation of a user's pathway to set up an account and change their account to anonymous.
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
Essential understanding from website to mobile
The information architecture was leveraged from the current website and transferred to mobile to help create a simple mobile version.
LOW FIDELITY
Sketch Ideation
Based on the profile information established for a new user who wants an anonymous account, I was able to draft a preliminary wireframe.
MID FIDELITY
After meeting with Stakeholders, changes were made to the initial sketches and implemented on the mid-fidelity wireframes.
DESIGN
Mockups
TAKEAWAYS
Business and User Needs
Understanding the business of transitioning the website to a mobile app took much research because I also had to connect with the users' needs. After careful research and usability testing, I successfully tied them both.
Future Changes and Implementation
After analyzing competitors and understanding what gets users to continue using the application, it would be beneficial to implement gamification to keep users excited and engaged in using the app.
RESOURCES
www.thearqive.com
