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WhatsApp events feature
SUMMARY
Transforming WhatsApp with a seamless event planning feature that saves time, reduces frustration, and keeps users engaged all within the app
WhatsApp is great for connecting people, but event planning in the app is frustrating. My goal is to design a simple event planning feature that seamlessly integrates into WhatsApp’s existing interface.
Role | UX/UI Designer
Skills | Research, Concept, Prototype
Scope | Feature integration
Timeframe | 80h (2022)
Problem
People want to spend time with their friends, rather than planning to spend time with their friends
I noticed firsthand that planning events within WhatsApp is frustrating. The endless back-and-forth messages, confusion over dates, and the lack of a streamlined process made it clear that there is an opportunity to improve the user experience.
Solution
Integrating a dedicated event planning feature directly into the app
To address the challenges of event planning and improve WhatsApp’s functionality, I proposed an event planning feature. The goal of the solutions was to create a seamless, intuitive experience that keeps users engaged without disrupting their current workflow.
Final solution
Despite it being an 80-hour academic exercise, this project proved timely and relevant. In late 2023 WhatsApp unveiled an event planning feature, demonstrating the validity of my design approach and the accuracy of the user research I conducted.
To address the problem of cumbersome event planning within WhatsApp, I introduced a dedicated event planning feature designed to streamline the process and reduce user frustration. Users previously faced challenges with endless back-and-forth messages and confusion over dates, highlighting a need for a more efficient solution.
By gathering real user feedback, I ensured the feature’s seamless integration and improved user experience. This approach not only addressed the initial design challenges but also demonstrated my ability to deliver a user-centred solution that aligns with market needs.
Key Learnings
Even academic exercises, when approached seriously and grounded in real-world research, can yield insights and solutions that are scalable and applicable in professional contexts.
Observing user behaviour vs assumptions.
Observing that even frequent app users overlooked prominent elements taught me the importance of truly understanding user behaviour. And validating any assumptions through user testing.
Understanding the user needs.
Gaining accurate insights ensures that the solutions developed truly resonate with real-world needs.
Value of iterative testing.
Continuous feedback loops and user testing are essential for creating intuitive and user-friendly products.