Problem and Background

Our existing platform had basic profile and messaging functionalities, but lacked a robust way for users to share their journeys, challenges, and successes in a compelling and interactive manner. We observed that valuable experiences and advice were often lost in one-on-one conversations or lengthy text posts that were difficult to digest.

Process

01: Thorough user research: Understanding user needs deeply was crucial for designing a relevant and valuable feature.

02: Iterative design: Continuous testing and feedback allowed us to refine the design and address usability issues effectively.

03: Strong collaboration: Close communication and collaboration with the product manager and engineering team were essential for a successful outcome.

Solution

"Connect & Share," a new feature integrated into a platform aimed at fostering connections and knowledge-sharing among students, alumni, mentors, and mentees. The core idea behind Connect & Share was to empower users to narrate their experiences, share insights, and ask for advice in a rich, multimedia format, going beyond simple text-based posts.

Results

The launch of Connect & Share significantly enhanced user engagement and knowledge sharing on the platform. We saw a rise in users sharing their experiences, asking for advice, and connecting with others in meaningful ways. The multimedia aspect made the content more engaging and easier to understand.

01: Create Dynamic Stories: Users could start a new story with a title and then build their narrative using rich text formatting.

02: Embed Links Seamlessly: The feature allowed for easy embedding of relevant links to articles, resources, portfolios, or other external content directly within the story text. These links would be visually integrated, making them easily accessible.

03: Integrate Videos Effortlessly: Users could embed videos from platforms like YouTube or Vimeo directly into their stories, bringing their experiences to life through visual and auditory elements.

04: Tag Relevant Users and Topics: Users could tag other members of the community (students, alumni, mentors, mentees) and relevant topics to increase visibility and connect with those who might find their story interesting or helpful.

05: Engage with Stories: Other users could view the dynamic stories, leave comments, ask questions, and react with emojis, fostering interaction and discussion.

06: Discover Stories: The platform featured a dedicated section for browsing and discovering stories, with options to filter by user type, topic, and recency.