Kaleidoscope

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  Events Page

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  Home Page

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  Profile Page

1. Prototype link Link

2. Describe your project (max 150 words) In college, many students are in proximity to countless people that share their interests and goals. Yet, it can nonetheless be hard and overwhelming to find and connect to these potential friends. Kaleidoscope, a website for campus social connection, aims to change this. After users make an account, they are directed to select three main interests, which are then expressed on the home page as overlapping, colorful bubbles. When users click on the areas where the bubbles intersect, a list of profiles that share these overlapping interests appears. Profiles can be linked to existing social media and methods of communication, enabling users to reach out and continue the conversation offsite. In addition, an events page features spontaneous daily events, like casual dinners, that connect people with shared interests in real life. For instance, users could be notified about a dinner happening that evening for people who love film and linguistics.

3. Describe your research process and findings. If you conducted any surveys or interviews, please include the survey form and/or interview questions here. If you conducted secondary research by pulling from online sources, please include a link to your sources. (Max 500 words) Write your answer here. Studies have demonstrated that overlapping interests and priorities are a strong predictor for the development of friendships. Proximity also plays a major role. In a major study on friendship (Kandel, D. B. (1978). Homophily, selection, and socialization in adolescent friendships. American Journal of Sociology, 84(2), 427–436. https://doi.org/10.1086/226792), it was determined that definable similarities between adolescents’ future goals and current activities resulted in friendships that were far more likely to last. This research informed the visual language of this project, which aims to create a map of potential communities and opportunities for connection.

4. Describe your most important design decisions. What research findings and/or user testing results led you to make these decisions? (Max 500 words) The most important design decision was how to visually communicate overlapping interests. We chose a simple graphic style and highly visual interface to make the project as accessible and intuitive as possible, and drew heavily on existing social applications currently popular with college students. Instagram heavily influenced the graphic design of this project, as we aimed to utilize colors and forms that suggested excitement, fun, and connection. In addition, conversations with current students informed the casual and streamlined final model - with the stress that much of college life can create, using Kaleidoscope should be as easy as typing in the name in a search bar.

Built With

• figma