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NYT
feature

Roles
UX UI
Research
Product Design
Team
Solo  design

Details
7 weeks
11/2022


Improve the New York Times app by adding a feature which allows readers to filter for positive news stories and developments from around the world to reduce doomscrolling and anxiety.  

Process
  • Conducted an analysis of the New York Times app to see what features already exist and identify any gaps.
  • Conducted a competitive analysis of rival apps. 
  • Interviewed users to understand relationships to the news cycle and feedback on the NYT app. 
  • Tested prototypes in low and mid-fidelity to work out my idea.
  • Created a functional high-fi prototype in Figma.











The Product












The Process





problem discoveryWhat am I solving? The aim of this project was to improve an existing app in some way. I began by analyzing the New York Times app to see what features do exist, how it works and if I could identify any feature gaps that I could build on. 



The ProblemHow can I create a feature that will improve the New York Times app?

My SolutionReduce doomscrolling by adding a section that shares wholesome news stories from the week. 
Key Questions
  • What are other outlets doing?
  • How do users interact with the news? 
  • How can the app be improved?







What are other outlets doing?Competitive Analysis

To gain insights into how other companies were addressing the UX processes of news delivery systems, I studied the systems of NYT competitors.







How do users interact with the news now? I nterviewed 6 people to understand how they engage with the New York Times app and what their relationship to the news cycle is like. 







How can the app be improved?Doom Scrolling
0% of users could name one positive news story from that month

 







Solution
The ProblemHow can users avoid doomscrolling?

The SolutionA filter that allows users to access positive news stories



Icons







Typography







Onboarding

Testing 100% of users tested said they would use this feature.


Quotes:

“Oooh wait I love this.”Anna Whelan

“This is good because I want to read the news... I want to know whats happening but if I could end my reading with a sprinkle of good vibes that would be great.”
Aysha Blain

“There is so much negative.. It would be cool to celebrate the positive more.”Sara Zhang

Reflection Learnings
  • Learned how to design within an existing design system

  • Learned how to conduct a heuristic analysis of an existing app



Challenges
  • Finding people who use the New York Times app to interview proved difficult

  • Finding a space for an entirely new feature within an existing app was a new challenge for me



Accomplishments
  • Tested product on users and 100% said that they would use this feature

  • Users became aware of several positive global news stories

  • Sparked an interest in educational technology










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