Overview

BeReal is a platform designed to foster authenticity and genuine user interactions. It encourages individuals to share unfiltered moments from their daily lives, promoting a more realistic portrayal of themselves and their experiences. Fitsek is a specialized feature within BeReal that revolves around outfit sharing and seeking fashion advice. It provides users a platform to showcase their everyday attire, allowing them to post pictures of their outfits and view what their friends wear. Moreover, Fitsek serves as a space where users can seek outfit recommendations and guidance from their peers, known as Fit Help. Users can engage in discussions, seek recommendations, and gain insights on what to wear for various occasions. Fitsek fosters a sense of community around fashion and helps users make informed choices about their outfits.

Problem

The issue with social media lies in the declining authenticity and the growing trend of hyper-curated content, particularly evident on platforms like Instagram. Introducing a feature on a more recent and popular platform such as BeReal, where users can share their outfits without excessive curation, promotes genuine social interaction and enhances the platform's authenticity. Furthermore, the Fitsek and Fit Help features foster increased engagement beyond mere one-day notifications, addressing BeReal's challenge of retaining user attention effectively. This addition contributes to BeReal's unique appeal by offering users a refreshing departure from the highly curated content on other social media platforms.

Contributions

Our team divided the project into various segments for its development. Kali was responsible for creating and delivering the presentation slides. Enrico took charge of making surveys using Google Forms and also contributed to the slides. Norman and Jessica collaborated on building the interactive prototype using Google Sheets and also led the presentation of the slides during both prototyping sessions. For the completion of Fitsek, Jessica, and Enrico were responsible for developing the final prototype and compiling the portfolio. Kali and Norman collaborated on crafting the concluding slides. Additionally, our team collectively collaborated on presenting the final video. Throughout Phases 1, 2, 3, and 4, all team members shared the workload evenly, collaborating on every aspect of the project together.

Timeline

7 weeks (February - March 2024)

Exploration + Discovery

The research objective of Fitsek was to enhance social interaction and authenticity within BeReal by providing a dedicated platform for users to share their outfits without excessive curation and seek feedback from their peers.

Surveys

We utilized Google Forms to conduct an online survey aimed at gaining insights into users' preferences regarding sharing outfits and seeking feedback on social media platforms. Employing convenience sampling, we gathered responses from 47 participants. The survey comprised 4 demographic inquiries and 10 questions related to users' habits of sharing outfits on various platforms, seeking advice for outfit ideas, and their interactions with platforms concerning fashion.

Findings

Competitive Analysis

We performed competitive analysis on alternative social media platforms facilitating the sharing of outfits and fostering social interaction. Through our analysis, we found two main competitors: Instagram and Pinterest.

Instagram

A platform that allows users to share photos and videos, such as outfit posts, with their followers. It offers features like Stories and Reels for more interactive content sharing. Users can engage with outfit posts by liking, commenting, and saving them. However, Instagram's algorithm-driven feed often prioritize popular content over genuine interactions.

Serves as a visual discovery platform where users can find and save outfit ideas, as well as other content like recipes and home decor. Users can create boards to organize their saved outfits and share them with others. While Pinterest fosters inspiration and discovery, it may lack the direct social interaction aspect found in other platforms.

Design Process

The design process of Fitsek began with identifying the need for a dedicated space within BeReal for users to share unfiltered outfit photos and seek feedback from their peers. We conducted user research to understand preferences and behaviors regarding outfit sharing on social media platforms. Based on the insights gathered, we conceptualized the design, focusing on simplicity, ease of use, and fostering genuine social interaction. Prototypes were developed and iterated upon based on user feedback, ensuring that the final design effectively met the needs and desires of BeReal users.

Design Goal

The design goal of Fitsek was to create a dedicated space within BeReal that promotes authenticity and social interaction by allowing users to share unfiltered outfit photos and seek feedback from their peers. The aim was to provide a platform where users feel comfortable expressing their personal style without the pressure of curation, fostering a sense of community and facilitating meaningful connections through genuine interactions around fashion.

User Flows

We divided Fitsek into 4 user groups:

Creators

Users who actively engaged in sharing their outfit photos on Fitsek. They seek validation, feedback, or inspiration from the community for their fashion choices.

Commenters

Users who primarily engage with outfit posts shared by others. They may provide feedback, compliments, or suggestions on outfits, fostering social interaction within the Fitsek community.

Observers

Users who primarily consume content on Fitsek without actively engaging by posting or commenting. They may browse outfit posts for inspiration or entertainment purposes but prefer not to participate in discussions.

Fashion enthusiasts

Users who have a strong interest in fashion and actively participate in discussions, seek inspiration, and contribute valuable insights related to trends, styling tips, or fashion-related topics within the Fitsek community.

Creator Experience

Commenter Experience

Fashion Observer

Fashion Enthusiast Experience

Wireframes

We developed wireframes to visualize our high-fidelity screens in concept.

First Iteration of Prototype

During our initial prototyping session, our objective was to create a prototype demonstrating the process of users uploading their outfits, engaging in various actions such as commenting, reacting, providing feedback, pinning, and sharing outfits on Fitsek. Subsequently, our team successfully showcased this prototype to a specific group of students enrolled in the course.

Google Sheets prototype

To demonstrate the potential implementation of Fitsek within BeReal, we developed a Google Sheets prototype to emulate how users might utilize, browse, and engage with the feature.

Feedback

After our prototype, we asked each student to provide their feedback and offer their opinions on how to advance and improve Fitsek.

Takeaways

Enable users to include brand of clothing:

"Maybe could allow the user to include brands and stuff so followers can get the same stuff."

"Obviously this would be difficult to implement in a prototype but if the actual app had a way to tag each clothing item with where it’s from that would be cool."

"Labeling brand or description for each clothing item."

Make Fitsek more interactive:

"Good concept but interactions seem more surface level."

"Maybe adding more unique feature that make the interaction more interesting!"

Include more emoji reactions:

"More reactions, or maybe a way to have reactions and comments be more meaningful? "

"I think there should be more reactions."

Second Iteration of Prototype

During our second prototyping session, we returned after a 2 week period, presenting an enhanced and improved prototype to the same group of selected students who provided feedback during the initial prototyping session.

Google Slides prototype

Following the feedback from our previous prototyping session, a key suggestion was to enhance the interactivity of Fitsek. In response, we integrated the feature Fit Help to address this recommendation. Fit Help is a supplementary feature within Fitsek designed to provide users with assistance, guidance, and advice related to fashion and outfit choices. It serves as a platform where users can seek help or input from the Fitsek community regarding their fashion dilemmas, outfit combinations, or styling questions. Users can post queries or images of their outfits, along with specific requests for feedback or suggestions. Other users within the Fitsek community can then respond with supportive comments, constructive criticism, or helpful tips to assist the user in resolving their fashion-related queries. Fit Help aims to foster a collaborative and supportive environment where users can engage in meaningful interactions, share their fashion expertise, and receive valuable input to enhance their personal style. Furthermore, we integrated feedback from our users to incorporate additional reaction options.

Fitsek Homepage: What users see on homepage before posting a Fitsek

Fitsek Camera: Where users go to capture a picture of their outfit

Fitsek Preview: Users can post a Fitsek to show off their daily outfit

Fitsek Homepage after posting Fitsek: User can view other users' Fitsek

Fitsek Preview: Users can post a Fit Help to seek outfit help from other users'

Fitsek Homepage after posting Fit Help: User can view other users' feedbacks

Feedback

After the prototype, we asked each student to share their feedback and insights once more, seeking their suggestions on how to further improve and advance Fitsek.

Takeaways

Using prototype on Google Slides can be challenging:

"During the prototype, it is a little inconvenient to comment and posts pictures using Google slides."

"Uploading photos tricky without google sheets app."

"Trying to use the slides to post our fits. The interface was fine, but using the slides on a phone has difficult."

Fitsek was enjoyable:

"It was very fun!"

"I enjoy the fit help feature, I think it would be a great addition to the app and help with community engagement."

"I like seeing other people’s outfits and reacting to them."

Final Design

This final design iteration is a high-fidelity prototype created using Figma. Thanks to all the feedback provided during Week 10 after presenting our second iteration, Google Slides prototype, we decided to go in a different direction.

Figma Prototype

The feedback that stood out the most was pointing out the similarities between our Google Slides prototype and Instagram. As per our findings from earlier's Exploring + Discovery, Instagram is an extremely hypercurated platform that lacks in authenticity. Authenticity on social media has been rapidly decreasing, consequently, leading to the increase of the hypercuration of social media feeds. Utilizing a more recent popular app like BeReal and having a feature that allows users to share their outfits with others, free of hypercuration, stimulates social interaction and adds an even more exciting edge to what BeReal already offers, in terms of authenticity and "being real".

"It seems too similar to Instagram's format."

"Look at further directions than just something for fits? The only thing keeping me from using the app is the fact that it's just not for me/it's something I could easily do with Instagram stories."

"Looks good, resembles Instagram a lot."

With that, users are able to choose whether to post their BeReal or Fitsek (depending on whether or not the notification to post has made its daily appearance). The user is prompted to take their Fitsek for the day and is given the choice to either, post their outfit to their feed, or post their outfit using the Fits Help feature! In any case, users you have friended have the ability to interact with your Fitsek, whether that be reacting, commenting, and/or providing outfit advice, as indicated by the user. Some key feedback that we really took into consideration was the fact that Fits Help was a feature users gravitated to. Therefore, we made it a point to give users that more interactive element that our previous prototype was missing.

"I enjoy the fit help feature. I think it would be a great addition to the app and help with community engagment."

"I wish I would've been able to try how fit help would work,"

"I think for the fit help it is more spontaneous and people may need help deciding on what to wear right away. maybe for fit help it can be viewed by all your friends and it gives them a notification and whoever decides to respond can help out the person right away."

BeReal Homepage:

What users see on the homepage to post a BeReal.

Fitsek Homepage:

What users see on the homepage to post a Fitsek.

Fitsek Camera:

Where users are sent to capture a picture of their outfit.

Fitsek Preview:

Users can view their Fitsek before posting to friends or Fits Help feed.

Confirm Fitsek:

What users see before sending their Fitsek to friends' feeds.

Fitsek Homepage after posting:

User can view other users' Fitsek on the "My Friends" feed.

Confirm Fits Help:

What users see before sending their Fitsek to Fits Help feed.

Fitsek Homepage after posting:

User can view and provide feedback on other users' Fits Help.

Fitsek Final Prototype

We present to you, Fitsek!

In this video, we demonstrate the UI/UX in action, showcasing how a user might interact with and consume our fashionable feature of BeReal.

Users can easily navigate through the BeReal Homepage to reach the Fitsek feature. There, users can capture a photo of their outfit of the day and have the option of retaking their Fitsek, or posting it to a feed.

We see that there is a "My Friends" feed and a "Fits Help" feed; depending on the user's desire for their Fitsek, they can choose to share their Fitsek to their friends or ask for feedback on their outfit!

All-in-all, Fitsek's mission is to increase social interaction with authentic intention, utilizing a popular platform like BeReal, and decrease the hypercuration of social media.

Next Steps

The next steps for Fitsek involve refining the feature based on the feedback received, conducting usability testing to identify any usability issues or areas for improvement, iterating on the design to address any identified shortcomings, and finally, launching the updated version of Fitsek to the BeReal community. This iterative approach ensures that Fitsek evolves in line with user preferences and needs, ultimately enhancing the overall user experience and fostering greater engagement within the BeReal platform.

Enhanced User Interface:

Implementing a more intuitive and visually appealing interface to improve user experience and navigation within Fitsek.

Advanced Filtering Options:

Introducing additional filters and sorting options to allow users to customize their browsing experience and discover outfit posts more effectively.

Integration of Multimedia Features:

Incorporating multimedia features such as video uploads or augmented reality (AR) try-on capabilities to enrich the content shared on Fitsek and enhance user engagement.

Reflection and Learning

The whole process of prototyping, analyzing feedback, and iterating our project has provided valuable insights and several key lessons for designing interactive and collaborative experiences.

Prioritizing User-Centric Design:

By actively involving users through prototyping sessions and gathering feedback, we were able to understand their needs, preferences, and behaviors, which were crucial for creating a product in a way that benefits and resonates with them.

Embracing Flexibility:

The iterative process puts importance on being flexible and responsive to feedback. Learning to pivot and adjust features based on user input is important as this adaptability ensures that the product is relevant and user-friendly.

Balancing Usability:

The process of brainstorming and researching innovative ideas followed by prototyping and analyzing feedback highlights the balance between introducing new features and maintaining usability. We had to integrate features in a way that enhances, rather than complicates user experience.

Navigating Constraints:

Dealing with constraints and making necessary compromises—from technical limitations to time constraints—allowed us to learn how to navigate these challenges effectively.

Valuing Collaboration:

Each iteration brought us closer to a refined prototype, which overall deepened our understanding of the design process, user engagement, and complexities of social computing. Learning how to leverage each member's strengths and viewpoints fostered a creative and inclusive design approach.