Connect

Unbiased News and Media Aggregator
Client: Darck
Year: 2022
Role: UX / UI Designer

The Project

With the increasing number of social media platforms and news sources, it can be challenging for users to find accurate and unbiased information. This case study examines the design process of a new unbiased news and social media aggregator app aimed at providing users with a single source of truth.

Part 1

Research

To understand the root cause of the problem, I conducted extensive user research to gain insights into the users' experiences. This included:

Key user insights

Based on the research, I found several key issues that were affecting the user experience:

Cluttered Interface

The interface was cluttered and difficult to navigate, making it difficult for users to find the information they needed.

Unreliable News Sources

Users were concerned about the reliability of the news sources, as many sources were biased or inaccurate.

Confusing Navigation

The navigation system was confusing, making it difficult for users to find news sources that matched their interests.

User feedback

Here’s what some of the users said when asked about getting unbiased news and information

I wish there was an app that could show current events without worrying about any hidden agendas or biases

I would like to tailor my news feed to my interests

It's unlikely these days to get a well-rounded view of the news with so much information overload

It can take a significant amount of time to stay well informed about a topic without being biased

Persona

Meet Nurul Huda, Marketing Executive

28 yrs old | Kuala Lumpur | Student

Nurul H.
Marketing Executive

Bio

Nurul Huda enjoys staying up-to-date with the latest news and trends, but is frustrated with the biased and sensationalized content she finds on social media and traditional news sources. She is interested in a wide range of topics, including politics, technology, and fashion, and is always looking for new perspectives and ideas.

Goal

  • Limit the spread of false or misleading content
  • Help users navigate the overwhelming amount of news
  • Promote critical thinking and media literacy
  • Encourage greater transparency and accountability

Pain Points

  • Information overload with busy work schedule and social life
  • Bias and misinformation lead to confusion and frustration
  • Polarization and isolation feeling

The competition

These are the 3 digital news apps that came up most often in survey responses. A comparison is done to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Flipboard
Pros:
  • Personalized news feed
  • sleek and visually appealing design
  • large library of news sources
Cons:
  • overwhelming for non tech-savvy users
  • Not Neutral. Users can customize feed based on preferences & biases
Apple News
Pros:
  • user-friendly interface
  • wide range of sources and publishers
  • View previous + upcoming stays
  • Smart Recommendation system
Cons:
  • Limited to Apple devices
  • criticized for favoring certain news sources
Google News
Pros:
  • personalized news feed
  • Tailored suggestions based on previous searches and trips
  • Keyword search news
Cons:
  • Doesn't provide as much context as other news aggregators. Only headlines and summaries

Part 2

Problem definition & ideation

In today's age of information, it can be challenging for people to stay informed about current events without being exposed to bias or misinformation. There is filtered or manipulated content to fit a particular agenda or perspective with so much information overload

Ideation

An unbiased news and social media aggregator app could address these problems by providing users with a platform that curates information from a variety of sources and presents it in a fair and balanced way

The idea

Feature Ideation

The app utilizes algorithms that analyze multiple news outlets and social media platforms to identify patterns and highlight the most relevant, biased indicated and reliable information. Some features that could be included are:

  1. A personalized news feed based on a user's interests and preferences. The app can then curate content based on those choices.
  1. Provide user generated feedback along with bias ratings to evaluate and verify the credibility of the sources
  1. News source and timeline comparison with other sources along with time frames on when the events occurred
  1. A comments section for discussions about current events from all sources

Feature requirements

Based on Nurul Huda’s goals and needs, the app should:

Be aggregated well

Be transparent and personalized

Nurul Huda's journey

Here is a user journey for Nurul Huda:

  1. Discovers the app through word of mouth, social media ads, or app store recommendations.
  2. Downloads the app and goes through a brief onboarding process that introduces the app's features
  3. She is prompted to create an account or sign in with an existing account
  4. Prompted to select her preferences for news and social media topics she is interested in
  5. Presented with a news feed that displays the latest news from her selected sources and topics
  6. As she engages with the app, the algorithm learns her preferences and begins to personalize her feed
  7. She can provide feedback on each news to determine the credibility and accuracy. This information is displayed alongside the content to help all user make informed decisions about what to read and share
  8. She can share articles and posts directly from the app
  9. Receive notifications when breaking news or important events occur or someone interacts with your ratings
  10. She continues to engage with Connect, discovering new content and perspectives

Part 3

Visual design & prototyping

This section demonstrates the designed solution. Adobe XD was used as the design tool.

Style guide

I kept the colors simple and chose a modern, variable Segoe UI font that is easy to read on all screens. I kept layouts consistent by using a 4-column, 8px grid

The final designs

All of these elements finally come together in the final designs

Explore topics as per your interest and preference. We will take care of the news credibility

One click switch

Check not only updates from different sources on a topic but also check how a specific publisher has been progressing with the topic over time. All of this with just one switch!

Swipe and continue

Stop going back and forth from one news source to another. Simply swipe and read from the same topic from multiple news publishers (Based on your preferences). Easy navigation, wider coverage!

Fun Engagements

Discover what people say about all news sources combined in one aggregated comments section or view separate comments for each publisher. Provide actually valuable feedback to help make the experience better for you and don't be afraid to point out fake news or irrelevant news that's not suited for you.

Last words

In conclusion, an unbiased news and social media aggregator app has the potential to be a valuable tool for users who want to stay informed about current events without being overwhelmed or misled by biased or inaccurate content.