For my capstone project, I want to create a true social network for artists and writers to post their work and interact with each other in a non-toxic and constructive environment. The idea for this arose out of my creation of Chill Mag, a print-only literary and art magazine that aims to take the “like”-chasing and algorithm-feeding out of creative endeavors. This is where the name “chillr” comes from, as we have always called our fans and readers “chillers.” As an artist myself, I find it exceedingly difficult to get my work out where people can see it if I am constantly worrying about whether or not it will be picked up by an algorithm or “go viral,” and if I do post I am checking the like count frequently. I find this is detrimental to the creative process, because as soon as you commodify art and create not for yourself but for a very niche and specific audience, it stops being fulfilling to the artist. Following the mission of Chill Mag, I want to create this network that will not have a like system nor will it have a content algorithm or creator metrics - there are other products for that. This app will be a safe haven for artists and writers to freely share their work and connect with each other in a way that doesn’t encourage building clout or chasing virality.
Creatives are bogged down by the content management system on platforms such as Instagram or X, and as a result they post less or disingenuous work. Artists with small follower counts may feel intimidated by their more famous peers, even if their skills are comparable. Content algorithms ruin art. In what ways do artists communicate with each other outside of such platforms? What would a platform look like if it encouraged artmaking on a clear and even playing field? How would that change how artists and writers work together?
HMW create a free digital space for artists and writers so that they can post their work, connect, and collaborate without the negative influence of content consumption management systems?
Chillr is a portfolio and networking platform for artists, writers, and assorted creatives looking to expand their connections and post their work without the influence of content management systems.
| Activity | Timing | Cost | Rationale | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Survey | 1 week | n/a | Anonymous survey of artists and writers conducted through Google Forms and sent through social media to gather quantitative and qualitative data. | Data will show current sentiments among creatives concerning the existing platforms used for posting work and networking |
| Interview Guide | 1 week (concurrent with survey) | n/a | 8-10 written questions based on the results of the survey. | Comprehensive guide for interviewing individuals |
| Brand Identity | 3 days (concurrent with interviews) | n/a | Brand colors and logo - This is my bread and butter and will help me keep a visual point of reference in mind. | Accounting for color accessibility and design, and will be flexible and subject to change. |
| User Interviews | 1-2 weeks | $25 | 5 participants recruited from social networks. Each participant will be compensated with a $5 Starbucks card. | Qualitative data to drive the creation of user personas and stories as well as all future steps. |
| Competitive Analysis | 1 week (concurrent with interviews) | n/a | Analysis of existing and widely-used platforms used by artists and writers to post their work and connect with each other. Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Reddit, VSCO, Facebook, Behance, etc. | Opportunities to set the product apart from existing alternatives and create motivation for continued use |
| Affinity Mapping | 1 week (concurrent with interviews) | n/a | Combining and collating data from user interviews | easily digestible data to influence further development of the product |
| Personas | 1 week (concurrent with journeys) | n/a | Creation of personas to guide future steps | Personas will aide in user-centric design thinking during the process of creating a prototype |
| Journeys | 1 week (concurrent with personas) | n/a | Creation of journeys to guide future steps | Journeys will aide in user-centric design thinking during the process of creating a prototype |
| Wireframes | 1-2 weeks | n/a | Low and Mid fidelity wireframes created in Figma | Wireframes will be used to guide the creation of the working product prototype |
| Prototype | 1-2 weeks | n/a | High-fidelity functioning prototype | A shareable prototype to engage users and present to stakeholders |
| Case Study and Retrospective | 1 week | n/a | Final case study deck and retrospective to guide next steps and present to stakeholders | A highly developed and clear case study on the capstone project which will serve as the final portfolio piece |
The tool used for this capstone project will be Notion. Features I plan to use are kan-ban boards, roadmaps/timelines, and task visualization tools. Research notes and interview guides will also be recorded in Notion so all the information is in one place.