role
UX Design
User Research
Branding
time frame
March - April 2025
organization
Bits of Good
tools
Figma, Figjam
overview
With the approach of finding a method to promote greater understanding between people in this echo-chamber filled world, we are trying to find a novel solution to the problem of minimal empathy.
approach
Through interviews and iteration, we decided on the concept of Spitfire, a hot‑takes social media app that sparks conversation and understanding. It utilizes existing friendships as a foundation with mutual respect and understanding, then extends that empathy to strangers and their bold opinions.
the problem
the question
user research
moderator questions
What topics interest you most when discussing different viewpoints?
How open are you to posting strong opinions on the existing social media applications?
Which topics might be too controversial to discuss, and would you consider discussing them anonymously with friends?
How willing are you to discuss your unpopular opinions with your friends?
key findings
Openness to Friends:
“Very willing [to discuss my perspective with friends]; usually by the time I am willing to have a conversation about my beliefs I feel I have thought them through but I'm always willing to hear different perspectives and keep an open mind.”
-Participant Z
Hesitance to Discussing Topics on Social Media:
“I avoid posting strong opinions—the comment sections turn toxic fast, and getting judged by strangers who don’t know me just isn’t worth the stress."
-Participant Y
Emphasis on Real-Time Connection Features:
“i like features to see updates from people I consider close but don't necessarily talk to every day. ”
-Participant X
conclusion
Users often feel hesitant or discouraged to share their bold opinions on mainstream social networks because they fear being drowned out by noise or attacked in toxic debates. They crave a sense of validation and belonging—knowing that even if others disagree, their opinions will be taken seriously and engaged with respectfully.
We designed our app to address this by providing a dedicated space for diverse, unapologetic viewpoints, coupled with tools that foster respectful, meaningful conversations, so users feel both safe and truly heard. Through centering the application with a friends and community section, we use the empathy within the comfort of familiarity to create meaningful discussion while also allowing you to extend that empathy to strangers. We also had a daily prompt feature, something that encourages friends to engage in conversation and connect.
user flow
After we looked at our findings and developed our design goals, we mapped out a user flow that took these goals into account. In here, it goes through the sign up process, avatar creation, home page, profile page, and community page interactions.
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lofi prototype
After we looked at our findings and developed our design goals, we mapped out a user flow that took these goals into account. In here, it goes through the sign up process, avatar creation, home page, profile page, and community page interactions.
*click to enlarge
midfi prototype
After we looked at our findings and developed our design goals, we mapped out a user flow that took these goals into account. In here, it goes through the sign up process, avatar creation, home page, profile page, and community page interactions.
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splash page / sign up
We refined the style of the application, allowing for a defined style and visual identity, shown clearly on the splash page and the following pages. We utilized soft curves and bold graphics to convey the fun & lighthearted intention of the application.
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avatar creation
We implemented the avatar to reinforce the lighthearted approach to the application. It also makes it more fun and interactive, with each person having a different avatar as an extension of themselves.
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home screen
To have an intuitive interface, we decided to use an interaction already associated with fun: the Instagram Reel /TikTok scroll. These are your friends' posts and you are able to react to them and comment on them. We also included daily prompts in order to create engagement and an accumulation of hot takes that can be shared.
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friends page
In this page, you can talk to your friends or groups of your friends about various hot take topics, with reactions and comments from the home page transferring over. You are also able to play games as well as add other friends on this page.
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discovery page
In this page, you are able to interact with people outside of your friend group, expanding your mind in search of differing opinions on different topics throughout the world. The discover section is based on your initiation inputs. The people who show up on each topic are curated to your hot takes and may go against them to show the "other side." This is an opportunity to broaden your perspective.
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profile page
This page allows you to view your own takes and pin your favorites. This page will be shown to others on the discovery page they click on your profile.
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importance of user feedback
Through having people actually interact with the app, blind spots can be found in judgement and comprehension. Features that I initially thought were intuitive may not be to an outside viewer.
importance of doing interviews
Through doing interviews, we are able to gain clarity on the issue that we are facing as well as ways to mitigate such an issue. Our solution utilizes familiarity amongst friends and a fun attitude to encourage deeper conversation and understanding, hoping to further critical thinking and empathy.
Through prototyping, we were able to experiment with the flow of the app and have quick ways to test interactions that form the base of the final app. Without this testing, the final app may have fundamental flaws in usability that may be hard to fix later down the line.
joshua lin
portfolio