Burstn

We would want you to simplify the user flow and also create a much warmer interface.

Folllowing my redesign of the Instagram interface where I tried to not only make it more appealing in terms of visual design and UI conventions, the kind folks at Burstn got in touch with me to see if I could do something similar for them.

We set out to just work out the user flows and also create a visual mockup of certain screens if time and budget permits. One of the essential ways in which Burstn positions itself away from Instagram is the rapid nature of photo sharing that it promises and supports. Sharing a photograph as quickly as possible was their primary aim. They were not building an app that allowed the users to share pretty pictures, they were more into sharing memories as they happen. My role was not only limited to a designer but also an advisor in terms of product strategist giving feedback and suggestions wherever necessary.

I started of with a very simple map of the flow of the user while taking a photograph and also ranking the processes based on what’s the most integral part of the app to the least important. This can be seen below.

This was followed by the creation of screen wireframes (on paper). Each screen’s observation and notes have been added alongside the screen. A later discussion of the screen for adding fliter was discarded since this was not their priority. The Geolocation wireframe was made to show the pictures of all the Burstn users around a place giving a tangible memory and sense of association to the place. This is what I believe the central purpose of geo-location. The screens can be seen below.

We then decided to create a few screens to show the possibility of the visual design and changes possible. I had complete freedom to play with the color scheme and was not bound to a blue color palette as in their current app design. The SX-70 Polaroid followed a central part of the inspiration. A major part of the reason being the fact that it could be shaped into a gorgeous icon if we were to go ahead with the design and also the very history of the product design that revolutionized instant photography was apt to be associated with an app that promises speedy capturing and sharing of memories.

The final screen design are as follows. They are screens for the Popular photograph section and the user profile screen. The big plus is the button to follow a user which when pressed would rotate to show a cross which indicates that you can un-follow them when you would want to. Hope the process shed some light of the thought process that went behind in designing the UI of the app. Also do go and check out Burstn in the App Store.