Synclt
Synclt
Timeline
Timeline
Oct – Nov 2024
8 weeks
Oct – Nov 2024
8 weeks
Role
Role
UX Research
UI Design
Prototyping
Visual Design
UX Research
UI Design
Prototyping
Visual Design
Tools
Tools
Figma
Photoshop
Google form
Miro
Figma
Photoshop
Google form
Miro
SyncIt is an events and community app that connects New Yorkers with the city’s most exciting happenings and makes participation seamless.
SyncIt is an events and community app that connects New Yorkers with the city’s most exciting happenings and makes participation seamless.
The Process
The Process
The Process
Problem
Problem
New York is fast, dense, and relentlessly active
New York is fast, dense, and relentlessly active
New York is fast, dense, and relentlessly active
yet so much of it passes us by unnoticed
yet so much of it passes us by unnoticed
yet so much of it passes us by unnoticed
In such a saturated environment, many people find it difficult to stay informed about good events and experiences in real time, not because they’re not interested, but because discovery is inconvenient and disconnected.
In such a saturated environment, many people find it difficult to stay informed about good events and experiences in real time, not because they’re not interested, but because discovery is inconvenient and disconnected.
The New Yorkers say...
The New Yorkers say...
The New Yorkers say...
The New Yorkers say...
“As a newcomer, I don’t really know where to find the info, and even when I do, it’s often in slang or posted too last-minute. I mostly miss it.”
“As a newcomer, I don’t really know where to find the info, and even when I do, it’s often in slang or posted too last-minute. I mostly miss it.”
“As a newcomer, I don’t really know where to find the info, and even when I do, it’s often in slang or posted too last-minute. I mostly miss it.”
“As a newcomer, I don’t really know where to find the info, and even when I do, it’s often in slang or posted too last-minute. I mostly miss it.”
— Yuki, 20, international student from Japan
— Yuki, 20, international student from Japan
— Yuki, 20, international student from Japan
— Yuki, 20, international student from Japan
“The info is just too messy, scattered, and time-consuming. I work full-time and barely have time to dig through different sources.”
“The info is just too messy, scattered, and time-consuming. I work full-time and barely have time to dig through different sources.”
“The info is just too messy, scattered, and time-consuming. I work full-time and barely have time to dig through different sources.”
“The info is just too messy, scattered, and time-consuming. I work full-time and barely have time to dig through different sources.”
— Marcus, 32, software engineer in Midtown
— Marcus, 32, software engineer in Midtown
— Marcus, 32, software engineer in Midtown
— Marcus, 32, software engineer in Midtown
“I’ve gone to a couple events that looked great online but turned out not worth going. Now I hesitate to go unless people recommends it.”
“I’ve gone to a couple events that looked great online but turned out not worth going. Now I hesitate to go unless people recommends it.”
“I’ve gone to a couple events that looked great online but turned out not worth going. Now I hesitate to go unless people recommends it.”
“I’ve gone to a couple events that looked great online but turned out not worth going. Now I hesitate to go unless people recommends it.”
— Maya, 27, freelance designer in Bushwick
— Maya, 27, freelance designer in Bushwick
— Maya, 27, freelance designer in Bushwick
— Maya, 27, freelance designer in Bushwick
Pain Points
Pain Points
Pain Points
Constantly Updating and Scattered Information
Constantly Updating and Scattered Information
Constantly Updating and Scattered Information
Constantly Updating and Scattered Information
With events constantly changing and content scattered across platforms, it’s time-consuming and difficult to find relevant opportunities. There’s no centralized, intuitive way to stay informed.
With events constantly changing and content scattered across platforms, it’s time-consuming and difficult to find relevant opportunities. There’s no centralized, intuitive way to stay informed.
With events constantly changing and content scattered across platforms, it’s time-consuming and difficult to find relevant opportunities. There’s no centralized, intuitive way to stay informed.
Newcomers Struggle to Navigate an Unfamiliar City
Newcomers Struggle to Navigate an Unfamiliar City
Newcomers Struggle to Navigate an Unfamiliar City
Newcomers Struggle to Navigate an Unfamiliar City
For international residents and newcomers who make up a major part of NYC’s population, language and culture barriers, unfamiliar platforms, and a lack of local context create additional friction.
For international residents and newcomers who make up a major part of NYC’s population, language and culture barriers, unfamiliar platforms, and a lack of local context create additional friction.
For international residents and newcomers who make up a major part of NYC’s population, language and culture barriers, unfamiliar platforms, and a lack of local context create additional friction.
Uncertainty Around Event Experience and Quality
Uncertainty Around Event Experience and Quality
Uncertainty Around Event Experience and Quality
Uncertainty Around Event Experience and Quality
Many users hesitate to attend new events due to limited or unreliable information. Without trusted reviews or social validation, there’s a risk of wasting time on low-quality or mismatched experiences.
Many users hesitate to attend new events due to limited or unreliable information. Without trusted reviews or social validation, there’s a risk of wasting time on low-quality or mismatched experiences.
Many users hesitate to attend new events due to limited or unreliable information. Without trusted reviews or social validation, there’s a risk of wasting time on low-quality or mismatched experiences.
How might we make it easy for New York city dwellers to stay updated on the latest local happenings and participate effortlessly.
How might we make it easy for New York city dwellers to stay updated on the latest local happenings and participate effortlessly.
How might we make it easy for New York city dwellers to stay updated on the latest local happenings and participate effortlessly.
Value Proposition
Value Proposition
Value Proposition
SyncIt is a location-based app that helps New Yorkers easily discover and engage with local events that match their interests. It combines smart sorting, personalized recommendations, and a dynamic map view to surface what's happening nearby. Users can explore authentic community voices and join events through a fast, seamless check-in experience.
SyncIt is a location-based app that helps New Yorkers easily discover and engage with local events that match their interests. It combines smart sorting, personalized recommendations, and a dynamic map view to surface what's happening nearby. Users can explore authentic community voices and join events through a fast, seamless check-in experience.
SyncIt is a location-based app that helps New Yorkers easily discover and engage with local events that match their interests. It combines smart sorting, personalized recommendations, and a dynamic map view to surface what's happening nearby. Users can explore authentic community voices and join events through a fast, seamless check-in experience.
Key Feature
Key Feature
Key Feature
Community’s experience sharing
Community’s experience sharing
Community’s experience sharing
Community’s experience sharing
Discover events by true experiences and reviews.
Discover events by true experiences and reviews.
Discover events by true experiences and reviews.
Discover events by true experiences and reviews.
Entry preparation and check in
Entry preparation and check in
Entry preparation and check in
Entry preparation and check in
Complete registration and check-in all in one.
Complete registration and check-in all in one.
Complete registration and check-in all in one.
Complete registration and check-in all in one.
Smart sorting and recommendation
Smart sorting and recommendation
Smart sorting and recommendation
Smart sorting and recommendation
Learn and find what is for you fast and easy.
Learn and find what is for you fast and easy.
Learn and find what is for you fast and easy.
Learn and find what is for you fast and easy.
Location-based view of events
Location-based view of events
Location-based view of events
Location-based view of events
View events by their location intuitively.
View events by their location intuitively.
View events by their location intuitively.
View events by their location intuitively.
Home
Home
Home
Home
Users can easily discover events they care about through trends, short reels, and smart personalized recommendations. They can also explore by location using the map view, or activate the live camera scan to see nearby happenings in real time.
Users can easily discover events they care about through trends, short reels, and smart personalized recommendations. They can also explore by location using the map view, or activate the live camera scan to see nearby happenings in real time.
Users can easily discover events they care about through trends, short reels, and smart personalized recommendations. They can also explore by location using the map view, or activate the live camera scan to see nearby happenings in real time.
Users can easily discover events they care about through trends, short reels, and smart personalized recommendations. They can also explore by location using the map view, or activate the live camera scan to see nearby happenings in real time.
Community
Community
Community
Community
Users can explore real-time activity reels and featured posts in the community to spot the latest trending experiences. They can also view authentic feedback from other participants to help decide whether to join.
Users can explore real-time activity reels and featured posts in the community to spot the latest trending experiences. They can also view authentic feedback from other participants to help decide whether to join.
Users can explore real-time activity reels and featured posts in the community to spot the latest trending experiences. They can also view authentic feedback from other participants to help decide whether to join.
Users can explore real-time activity reels and featured posts in the community to spot the latest trending experiences. They can also view authentic feedback from other participants to help decide whether to join.
Event Info
Event Info
Event Info
Event Info
Users can view all essential event details on this page, including the description, location, and photos. They can also browse related posts and reviews, and ask questions directly to past participants.
Users can view all essential event details on this page, including the description, location, and photos. They can also browse related posts and reviews, and ask questions directly to past participants.
Users can view all essential event details on this page, including the description, location, and photos. They can also browse related posts and reviews, and ask questions directly to past participants.
Users can view all essential event details on this page, including the description, location, and photos. They can also browse related posts and reviews, and ask questions directly to past participants.
Planned
Planned
Planned
Planned
Users can view all their booked events in a clear, calendar-based layout under My Plan. The ticket page provides key event details, such as the location, to support a smooth check-in experience.
Users can view all their booked events in a clear, calendar-based layout under My Plan. The ticket page provides key event details, such as the location, to support a smooth check-in experience.
Users can view all their booked events in a clear, calendar-based layout under My Plan. The ticket page provides key event details, such as the location, to support a smooth check-in experience.
Users can view all their booked events in a clear, calendar-based layout under My Plan. The ticket page provides key event details, such as the location, to support a smooth check-in experience.
Competitor Analysis
Competitor Analysis
Competitor Analysis
Existing products in the market fall short in both functionality and appeal, creating an opportunity for my service to innovate with comprehensive features and engaging visuals to appeal to the customer base.
Existing products in the market fall short in both functionality and appeal, creating an opportunity for my service to innovate with comprehensive features and engaging visuals to appeal to the customer base.
Existing products in the market fall short in both functionality and appeal, creating an opportunity for my service to innovate with comprehensive features and engaging visuals to appeal to the customer base.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
1
1
1
Real-Time, Personalized Local Discovery
Real-Time, Personalized Local Discovery
Real-Time, Personalized Local Discovery
2
2
2
Focused Local Relevance for NYC Residents
Focused Local Relevance for NYC Residents
Focused Local Relevance for NYC Residents
3
3
3
Streamlined Participation Experience
Streamlined Participation Experience
Streamlined Participation Experience
4
4
4
Trust Through Authentic Community Feedback
Trust Through Authentic Community Feedback
Trust Through Authentic Community Feedback
Event Orientation
Event Orientation
Event Orientation
Event Orientation
Use Orientation
Use Orientation
Use Orientation
Use Orientation
User Research
User Research
User Research
To better understand how New York City residents discover and engage with local events, I conducted user interviews and surveys to uncover their behaviors, needs, and key pain points.
To better understand how New York City residents discover and engage with local events, I conducted user interviews and surveys to uncover their behaviors, needs, and key pain points.
To better understand how New York City residents discover and engage with local events, I conducted user interviews and surveys to uncover their behaviors, needs, and key pain points.
User Personas
User Personas
User Personas
Aim of creating a user-centered app, two key user personas are focused on: a city dweller and a traveler seeking to easily discover and engage with the latest local events.
Aim of creating a user-centered app, two key user personas are focused on: a city dweller and a traveler seeking to easily discover and engage with the latest local events.
Aim of creating a user-centered app, two key user personas are focused on: a city dweller and a traveler seeking to easily discover and engage with the latest local events.
User Journey
User Journey
User Journey
To understand the challenges users face when discovering and attending local events, I mapped out a typical journey. This process revealed key friction points across all stages, including overwhelming options, unclear information, and difficulty in sharing the experience.
To understand the challenges users face when discovering and attending local events, I mapped out a typical journey. This process revealed key friction points across all stages, including overwhelming options, unclear information, and difficulty in sharing the experience.
To understand the challenges users face when discovering and attending local events, I mapped out a typical journey. This process revealed key friction points across all stages, including overwhelming options, unclear information, and difficulty in sharing the experience.
Information Architecture & Wireframes
Information Architecture & Wireframes
Information Architecture & Wireframes
Based on the users’ insights and key task flows, I structured the app’s information architecture to support intuitive navigation across discovery, deciding, and planning. This was translated into core wireframes to visualize key interactions and user journeys.
Based on the users’ insights and key task flows, I structured the app’s information architecture to support intuitive navigation across discovery, deciding, and planning. This was translated into core wireframes to visualize key interactions and user journeys.
Based on the users’ insights and key task flows, I structured the app’s information architecture to support intuitive navigation across discovery, deciding, and planning. This was translated into core wireframes to visualize key interactions and user journeys.
User Testing & Synthesis
User Testing & Synthesis
User Testing & Synthesis
Through user testing, I gathered critical insights on the current features and new possible opportunities that informed key refinements and enhancements.
Through user testing, I gathered critical insights on the current features and new possible opportunities that informed key refinements and enhancements.
Feature Ranking
Feature Ranking
Feature Ranking
Feature Ranking
Co Ideation
Co Ideation
Co Ideation
Co Ideation
Synthesis Learning
Synthesis Learning
Synthesis Learning
Synthesis Learning
Concept Testing
Concept Testing
Concept Testing
Concept Testing
Feature Testing
Feature Testing
Feature Testing
Feature Testing
Introduction & Background
Introduction & Background
Introduction & Background
Introduction & Background
Feature Ranking
Feature Ranking
Feature Ranking
Feature Ranking
Test Synthesis
Test Synthesis
Test Synthesis
Test Synthesis
User Feedback
User Feedback
User Feedback
User Feedback
of testers love the map feature, confirming it as our key focus and unique differentiator.
of testers love the map feature, confirming it as our key focus and unique differentiator.
of testers love the map feature, confirming it as our key focus and unique differentiator.
of testers love the map feature, confirming it as our key focus and unique differentiator.
testers love the community feature which enhances user experience and boosts long-term engagement.
testers love the community feature which enhances user experience and boosts long-term engagement.
testers love the community feature which enhances user experience and boosts long-term engagement.
testers love the community feature which enhances user experience and boosts long-term engagement.
Key Learnings
Key Learnings
Key Learnings
Key Learnings
Improve the map’s interactive experience
📍
Improve the map’s interactive experience
📍
Improve the map’s interactive experience
📍
Improve the map’s interactive experience
📍
Enhance community’s content management
🌟
Enhance community’s content management
🌟
Enhance community’s content management
🌟
Enhance community’s content management
🌟
Refine event information and join in access
🎫
Refine event information and join in access
🎫
Refine event information and join in access
🎫
Refine event information and join in access
🎫
New Solutions
New Solutions
New Solutions
Sustainable Fashion Collective
Sustainable Fashion Collective
Sustainable Fashion Collective
Oct 17 - Nov 21
Oct 17 - Nov 21
Oct 17 - Nov 21
Scan real-life scenes and view nearby activities virtually using 3D AR
Scan real-life scenes and view nearby activities virtually using 3D AR
Scan real-life scenes and view nearby activities virtually using 3D AR
Develop alternative map visual forms to enhance users’ knowledge of the locations
Develop alternative map visual forms to enhance users’ knowledge of the locations
Develop alternative map visual forms to enhance users’ knowledge of the locations
1
1
1
Pined freshable high liked and discussed events as the top section
Pined freshable high liked and discussed events as the top section
Pined freshable high liked and discussed events as the top section
Feature posts to help users learn about virus and worth going happenings easier
Feature posts to help users learn about virus and worth going happenings easier
Feature posts to help users learn about virus and worth going happenings easier
2
2
2
Design System
Design System
Design System
Takeaways
Takeaways
Takeaways
Through this project, I gained valuable insights into the challenges New Yorkers face with overwhelming and fragmented information, inspiring the app’s core features: smart sorting, personalized recommendations, and a map-based interface to enhance accessibility with location. The inclusion of a community feature fosters a sense of connection, encouraging users to share experiences and foster engagement. Prototyping and user feedback underscored the importance of simplicity and intuitive navigation.
Through this project, I gained valuable insights into the challenges New Yorkers face with overwhelming and fragmented information, inspiring the app’s core features: smart sorting, personalized recommendations, and a map-based interface to enhance accessibility with location. The inclusion of a community feature fosters a sense of connection, encouraging users to share experiences and foster engagement. Prototyping and user feedback underscored the importance of simplicity and intuitive navigation.
Through this project, I gained valuable insights into the challenges New Yorkers face with overwhelming and fragmented information, inspiring the app’s core features: smart sorting, personalized recommendations, and a map-based interface to enhance accessibility with location. The inclusion of a community feature fosters a sense of connection, encouraging users to share experiences and foster engagement. Prototyping and user feedback underscored the importance of simplicity and intuitive navigation.
Next Step
Next Step
Next Step
These steps pave the way to establish a comprehensive and engaging platform tailored to the fast-paced, vibrant lifestyle of New York City residents.
These steps pave the way to establish a comprehensive and engaging platform tailored to the fast-paced, vibrant lifestyle of New York City residents.
These steps pave the way to establish a comprehensive and engaging platform tailored to the fast-paced, vibrant lifestyle of New York City residents.
Enhance Core Features
Enhance Core Features
Enhance Core Features
Optimize smart sorting algorithms, personalized recommendations, and the map-based interface to improve user experience and relevance.
Optimize smart sorting algorithms, personalized recommendations, and the map-based interface to improve user experience and relevance.
Optimize smart sorting algorithms, personalized recommendations, and the map-based interface to improve user experience and relevance.
Specify registration means
Specify registration means
Specify registration means
Modification is required for specifying different activities engagement means and management of planed events
Modification is required for specifying different activities engagement means and management of planed events
Modification is required for specifying different activities engagement means and management of planed events
Test and Iterate
Test and Iterate
Test and Iterate
Conduct extensive usability testing with a diverse group of users to identify and address any remaining pain points.
Conduct extensive usability testing with a diverse group of users to identify and address any remaining pain points.
Conduct extensive usability testing with a diverse group of users to identify and address any remaining pain points.
Scale for Growth
Scale for Growth
Scale for Growth
Prepare for scaling the app to include other cities with similar challenges.
Prepare for scaling the app to include other cities with similar challenges.
Prepare for scaling the app to include other cities with similar challenges.
Thanks for reading this far!
Thanks for reading this far!
