Cover

Social Connect

1. Context

I designed the Social Connect app and vision was to create a privacy focused and minimalist platform that allows users to share real moments with their close circle. The project aimed to move away from noisy, algorithm driven social media and instead provide a calm, authentic, and secure space for meaningful connections.

Note: This is a self-made project where ChatGPT acted as a client to help me practice UI/UX design skills.

2. Problem Statement

According to the client, today’s social media platforms are noisy, algorithm driven, and focused on followers rather than real connections. There is currently no simple system where users can share privately within a small, trusted circle of friends.

3. How You Reached There: The Story

The Team

  • Zeeshan Ahmed
  • ChatGPT (Client)

My Role

UI / UX Designer

Duration

6 Weeks

Tools

  • Figma
  • ChatGPT
  • Maze

4. Project Goal (Privacy-Focused Social App)

The goal of project to build a privacy focused, minimalist social app that allows users to share real time updates and status moments only with people who matter – not followers, not an audience.

5. Research Part

Persona: Adeel

Age: 28
Tech Level: Medium (regular users of apps like WhatsApp, Instagram)

Pain Points:

  • Shares professional and personal life separately
  • Values privacy and simplicity

Analysis (Competitive Analysis)

In my research, I compared WhatsApp and Instagram. Instagram’s reels and stories are endless and noisy due to algorithms, while WhatsApp statuses are limited to real friends but lack engaging update features.

This showed a gap for a platform that offers both privacy and meaningful sharing.

Target Audience

Age: 16–30
Tech Level: Medium (regular users of apps like WhatsApp, Instagram)

Target Audience Pain Points

  • Overwhelmed by noisy social feeds
  • Tired of curated, unrealistic content
  • Want more control over privacy and visibility
  • Need a space for real friends, not followers

Use Case Analysis

To understand how users will interact with Social Connect, I created short use case scenarios in Maze. Included:

  • Post creation
  • Chat with friend
  • Status creation
  • Add friends
  • Edit profile
  • Questions about Social Connect app

6. Brainstorming & Ideation

Your Approach

After gathering client requirements and conducting research, I found that Instagram and WhatsApp are the two most widely used apps, but both come with certain limitations.

Possible Solutions

I identified a possible solution to combine the best aspects of Instagram and WhatsApp, but remove followers and public algorithms, creating a fully privacy focused app.

7. Sketches

sketch design

8. Wireframes

wireframe design

9. Final Designs (Mockups)

final design

10. Design System, Style Guides

For the app’s style, I used the Roboto font family in different variants:

  • Bold 40px for headings
  • Regular 16px for body text
  • Bold 16px for call-to-action buttons
  • Thin 16px for supportive text in input fields

Colors Used

  • Warm white (#FFFCFB) as the neutral base
  • Dark navy blue (#312783) from the logo as primary color
  • Golden yellow (#F4AC56) for call to action elements

Source File and Prototype Link

(Add link here)

11. Conclusion

The main challenge I faced was building a fully privacy focused app in a space already dominated by existing social platforms, especially Meta’s apps.

Most users are familiar with and trust these platforms, making them less likely to switch.

Additionally, I had to ensure my design was original to avoid copyright issues.

The outcome I reached was to combine selected features of two popular Meta apps, but with a unique style using different fonts and colors.

At the same time, I kept a familiar layout so users can easily navigate, since they are already familiar with these apps.

In this project, I learned how to analyze and break down existing competitive systems during research. I also discovered that most users prefer privacy-focused solutions over noisy, time-consuming platforms.

12. Scope of Improvements

Call Feature Improvement

The app includes call and video call features similar to WhatsApp, ensuring users can connect in real time.

However, the interface is redesigned with a fresh and minimal UI, giving a more private and user-friendly experience.

Status Feature Improvement

The app provides a built-in Status Saver that allows users to save their friends’ shared moments directly within the app.

This makes it easier to revisit important updates without needing third party tools, while keeping everything private and secure.