CrossNews
Product Design & Strategy
Individual Project / 6 weeks
As designers, How might we make a social impact by bridging information gaps of social value and communication across geographical borders?
To solve this as a protest for the rights of our citizens, I developed a platform to empower global users to access and discuss the same issue from different cultural backgrounds, picturing the other side of a story, allowing users from totalitarian states to think and express themselves freely about the issues of our time.
Research Methods
Interview
Survey
Data Analysis
Market Analysis
Product Criteria
2x2 Matrix
Defining Problem
SWOT Analysis
Design Methods
Ideation
Storyboard
Iterations
Next Steps
Low-Fidelity
High-Fidelity
UI Decisions
Design System
— BACKGROUNDS —
“Expressing oneself is a part of being a human. To be deprived by a voice is to be told you are not a participant in society.”
Growing up in countries that hold different social values, I understand how an individual’s social values are shaped by the information, news media, and education we receive. Information is the central connection between communities and civil societies; nevertheless, intentionally biased news media exacerbates global conflicts and cultural misunderstandings.
In 2022, this issue has become more evident as I experienced a choking amount of control over the press during the lockdown in Shanghai. From this reanimation of cold-war era media control in the 2020s, I deeply realized the destruction and chaos it can add to an already agonized citizen. On the other hand, with the liberty of purpose, information has enabled Iran protesters to be supported from all over the world, and their bravery encouraged Chinese citizens to find their voice against the persecution.
To allow users from totalitarian states to express the problems of our time, bridging information gaps across geographical borders, I developed a News app named CrossNews.
— DATA ANALYSIS —
79%
Expressed a lack of confidence in the neutrality of their news sources
out of 143 participants
— PROBLEM DOMAIN —
‘This is a multifaceted global challenge’
This is not a problem limited to specific regions or countries. Instead, this is a global challenge that has persisted for generations
— Market Potential —
A. Declining Public Trust in Credibility of News Resource
B. Consumer showing growing willingness to pay for News Media they trust
C. There is significant revenue potential in this untapped market
— PRODUCT CRITERIA —
After determining the ideas’ feasibility and impact, I decided to move forward with four major features that will built within the platform
— Ideation —
— STORYBOARD & PROTOTYPE —
1. GLOBAL NEWS
1. GLOBAL NEWS
1. GLOBAL NEWS
allows global users to access the same news from DIFFERENT CULTURE BACKGROUNDS.
Goal: allows users to obtain a rational comprehension and perspectives of global news stories
allows citizens from TOTALITARIAN STATES to access to global helps when they are restricted to speaking out against injustice and persecution.
2. GLOBAL SUPPORTS
Goal: allowing users to express their voice against injustice globally!
3. GLOBAL DISCUSSION
allows the MINORITY VOICE to speak for the other side of the story.
Goal: allowing the minority voice to speak and all of their views are valued…
4. MY NEWS
reading from what’s happening globally to what happening in your community.
— DESIGN SYSTEM —
— UI DECISIONS —
To reinforce the platform's core concept of 'bridging information gaps', the UI design strategically focuses on minimizing the apparent boundaries between countries, thereby directing user attention primarily to the news content itself.
World Maps
News Bubbles
News articles are presented as bubbles in three distinct sizes. This visual hierarchy ingeniously blends personal preferences with algorithm-driven system recommendations to allows users to explore a diverse range of perspectives.
Presenting users’ comments with emojis does not only protect their privacy, but also provides a direct, visually impactful way for the community to gauge the intensity of user reactions to this topics.
Emoji Reaction
— SWOT ANALYSIS —
— NEXT STEPS —
User Experience & Business
How might we create a open-minded, engaging, and friendly community while ensuring a stable revenue stream?
Ethics & Engineering
How might we ensure our algorithm of global statistics and news ranking are not creating additional biases?
— LESSONS LEARNED —
Balancing user experience and business goals
Prioritize features and adjusting design to address the financial and strategic objectives of the business to ensure stable revenue.
Building Clear Information Hierarchy
Breaking down complex problem with a clear hierarchy helps users prioritize information and navigate the app more effectively.
Feedback loop along different design stages
Conducting testing with users from different background and culture at different stages to enhance design and business strategies.
Developing a strong visual identity
Developing cohesive Branding that reflects the platform’s values and mission creates brand recognition and fosters trust among users.