Independent Case Study // UX Design // UX Research
Project Overview
This project is a independent case study I did for fun. Challenge prompt - understanding why users don't enjoy Instagram stories anymore
Role
UI/UX Designer
Timeline
July - Aug 2024
Background Context
"Understanding why users don't enjoy Instagram stories anymore."
When Instagram Stories were first introduced in 2016, many users were excited to view the temporary, in-the-moment content shared by their friends and mutuals. This new feature allowed for more spontaneous and authentic sharing, which was well-received by the community.
As Instagram starts growing as one of the biggest social media, many users start to become unsatisfied with the content people share on stories as it does not feel personalized, leading many users to be uninterested in even clicking on the shining red icon.
The Solution
Motivated to re-invigorate meaningful engagement with Instagram Stories, I designed an end-to-end experience for a new feature called the Pinned Stories Page. This feature allowing users to curate and access their most relevant and engaging stories easily….
But how did I get there?
Keep scrolling to see my design process.
Research & Explanation
UX RESEARCH METHOD 01: USER INTERVIEWING
We conducted user interviews with four college students from different schools to better understand housing challenges. The goal was to gain insight into their experiences and explore how LeaseEase could address these issues.
“People around me start becoming influencers or content creators, and all they do is spam content on stories which I found it annoying. I don’t want to completely mute their story because I still care about their personal life.”
“I often get added to people’s close friend story although I am not close with them, and I do not feel that comfortable viewing the stuff they post on there.”
Why do you think you stopped enjoying Instagram Stories?
“I stop looking at stories after viewing a few because it's boring and it gets really overwhelming.”
"I only look at stories for people I know and actually care about."
UX RESEARCH METHOD 02: COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
Understanding how other products implement personalization and meaning through stories.
Tiktok Stories
hidden section in the following main feed
less focus on ephemeral content
stories can feel redundant due to overlapping with main feed content.
Snapchat Stories
need to go through friend request to view stories
high level of privacy
algorithm may push irrelevant content, branded stories detract user experience.
Key Takeaways
After reviewing the results of the interviews and competitive analysis I decided to sort and highlight the three key pain points to figure out what feature to implement.
Content Overload ( point #1 )
users are annoyed by influencer-like spamming in stories
disinterest and frustration
Meaningful Connections ( point #2 )
not close with most users on Instagram
prioritizing friends' and families' personal lives
Boredom and Overwhelm ( point #3 )
users feel overwhelmed by irrelevant content, leading to boredom
users are uncomfortable with viewing exclusive personal content without a close relationship
Instagram already existing functions that implement personalization
By analyzing how different features handle personalization, I identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. This insight informs my design decisions, ensuring the solution aligns with user behaviors and creates a more meaningful viewing experience."
Design/Brain Storm Process
My goal was to incorporate simple features that can be seamlessly integrated into Instagram's layout. I decided to sketch out a couple of ideas to gain a better understanding of which feature would best meet the user's needs.
Feature 01 | Main Story Muting
Enhancing digital experience through seamless content muting
Enables users to mute someone's main stories without unfollowing them.
Provides a personalized content management option while preserving social connections.
Feature 02 | Option to Leave Close Friends
A feature that empowers user to maintain control over their connections
Allows users to opt-out of being included in someone's Close Friends list.
Enhances user control over the content they see without needing to unfollow or block the person.
Feature 03 | Pinned Story Page
A feature that empowers user to maintain control over their connections
Accessed via an icon beside the user's own story icon, it offers a quick and easy way to engage with favorite or important content.
This feature is high feasibility as it is build upon instagram’s existing feed page for “favorites” and close friend stories. It is also high impact as it offers a strong social aspect to stories, encouraging users to engage more with personalized stories, and de-clutters the story layout.
Encouraging Meaningful Views for All Users
After analyzing key findings, I decided to pursue the all three features as each serves purpose for specific user needs, providing a more versatile, user-friendly experience.
Time to Deliver
—The Solution
LeaseEase is a mobile app that simplifies subleasing by offering secure payments, legally binding lease templates, and verified user profiles. With easy listings and in-app messaging, it ensures a safe and transparent experience for students and young professionals.
Identity Verification System
To ensure secure leasing, we require multi-factor authentication and identity verification. Users must complete two-step verification to login their accounts, and prospective tenants must provide a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or Real ID, before finalizing any lease. These measures help prevent fraud and protect all listings.
Built-in
Legal Lease Agreement
LeaseEase offers a built-in legal lease agreement available through an online system, streamlining the subleasing process. Customizable lease agreement templates allow sub-landlords to edit and send them to sub-leasers digitally, ensuring clarity, compliance, and security. This feature enhances efficiency while providing a seamless and legal leasing experience.
Security Payment via Platform
Secure payment processing through the app, ensuring that all transactions, including rent and security deposits, are safely handled. By using a trusted payment system, funds are securely transferred and tracked, preventing fraud and reducing the risk of sub-landlords running away with deposits.
Things that I learned
My passion for UI/UX Design
This was my first long-term UX design endeavor, where I had the opportunity to design an app from scratch. I found immense fulfillment in bringing an idea to life, navigating the entire design process from ideation to prototyping and iteration. Seeing the final prototype take shape was incredibly rewarding, as every decision was driven by user needs and thoughtful design.
Prioritizing clarity and communication
(responsibilities of working in a team)
As the Leader of this project, I learned to think with intention, negotiate with team members, and lead with both kindness and confidence. I also realized that how I present myself directly reflects on my team, shaping our collaboration and workflow. One of the most valuable takeaways from this experience was understanding that what seems self-explanatory to designers may not be for the general public, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, usability testing, and user validation.
If I had more time…
I would have conducted a second round of user research to gain deeper insights for further iteration. While my initial research informed the foundation of the design, additional testing would have allowed me to validate decisions, identify overlooked pain points, and refine the user experience even further.
Instagram Story Design Challenge
