{ BoldInk } Digitizing WriteGirl’s Creative Writing Curriculum into an Engaging App for All.
{ BoldInk } Digitizing WriteGirl’s Creative Writing Curriculum into an Engaging App for All.
{ BoldInk } Digitizing WriteGirl’s Creative Writing Curriculum into an Engaging App for All.
ROLE
ROLE
ROLE
Product Designer
Product Designer
Product Designer
TEAM
TEAM
TEAM
4 Designers + 8 Developers
4 Designers + 8 Devs
4 Designers + 8 Devs
TIMELINE
TIMELINE
TIMELINE
Oct. 2023 ⇢ Jun. 2024
Oct. 2023 ⇢ Jun. 2024
Oct. 2023 ⇢ Jun. 2024
Project Overview
Project Overview
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Who is WriteGirl?
Who is WriteGirl?
WriteGirl, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit, empowers underserved girls and gender-expansive youth through creative writing mentorship. With 200+ volunteer women writers, they support over 500 girls annually via workshops, panels, and events—helping them grow, succeed in school, and prepare for college.
WriteGirl, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit, empowers underserved girls and gender-expansive youth through creative writing mentorship. With 200+ volunteer women writers, they support over 500 girls annually via workshops, panels, and events—helping them grow, succeed in school, and prepare for college.
WriteGirl, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit, empowers underserved girls and gender-expansive youth through creative writing mentorship. With 200+ volunteer women writers, they support over 500 girls annually via workshops, panels, and events—helping them grow, succeed in school, and prepare for college.
THE PROBLEM
THE PROBLEM
Digital Gaps in Mentorship
Digital Gaps in Mentorship
After initial calls with WriteGirl, the problem was revealed: the shift to online due to COVID forced a tough transition. Going digital has been tough for WriteGirl—online workshops lacked the connection and engagement of in-person sessions. With participants joining from as far as Uganda and Tajikistan, a better digital solution for mentorship was clearly needed.
After initial calls with WriteGirl, the problem was revealed: the shift to online due to COVID forced a tough transition. Going digital has been tough for WriteGirl—online workshops lacked the connection and engagement of in-person sessions. With participants joining from as far as Uganda and Tajikistan, a better digital solution for mentorship was clearly needed.
After initial calls with WriteGirl, the problem was revealed: the shift to online due to COVID forced a tough transition. Going digital has been tough for WriteGirl—online workshops lacked the connection and engagement of in-person sessions. With participants joining from as far as Uganda and Tajikistan, a better digital solution for mentorship was clearly needed.
THE CHALLENGE
THE CHALLENGE
How can we deliver WriteGirl’s creative writing programs to a global audience online?
How can we deliver WriteGirl’s creative writing programs to a global audience online?
How can we deliver WriteGirl’s creative writing programs to a global audience online?
PROPOSED SOLUTION
PROPOSED SOLUTION
So What Could BoldInk Be?
So What Could BoldInk Be?
Partnering with WriteGirl, we envisioned a creative writing app to mirror in-person workshops digitally, reaching a global audience. It would support girls, gender-expansive youth, and adults with engaging, mentorship-driven features.
Partnering with WriteGirl, we envisioned a creative writing app to mirror in-person workshops digitally, reaching a global audience. It would support girls, gender-expansive youth, and adults with engaging, mentorship-driven features.
Partnering with WriteGirl, we envisioned a creative writing app to mirror in-person workshops digitally, reaching a global audience. It would support girls, gender-expansive youth, and adults with engaging, mentorship-driven features.
Discovery + Refinement
Discovery + Refinement
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
Analyzing the Creative Writing App Landscape
Analyzing the Creative Writing App Landscape
To map the digital writing landscape, we explored six creative writing apps, assessing their strengths and limits. Our key takeaway? Most provided surface-level content, lacking depth. We aimed to stand out with an immersive design and high-quality activities, sparking deeper engagement for WriteGirl’s global audience.
Our prompts would be progressive and designed to engage users' senses, memories, and deeper emotions, creating a more meaningful and impactful writing experience.
To map the digital writing landscape, we explored six creative writing apps, assessing their strengths and limits. Our key takeaway? Most provided surface-level content, lacking depth. We aimed to stand out with an immersive design and high-quality activities, sparking deeper engagement for WriteGirl’s global audience.
Our prompts would be progressive and designed to engage users' senses, memories, and deeper emotions, creating a more meaningful and impactful writing experience.
To map the digital writing landscape, we explored six creative writing apps, assessing their strengths and limits. Our key takeaway? Most provided surface-level content, lacking depth. We aimed to stand out with an immersive design and high-quality activities, sparking deeper engagement for WriteGirl’s global audience.
Our prompts would be progressive and designed to engage users' senses, memories, and deeper emotions, creating a more meaningful and impactful writing experience.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
KEY TAKEAWAYS
We found that these apps relied on in-app writing, daily streaks, and paywalls. Their surface-level content lacked the depth WriteGirl’s writers needed for meaningful engagement.
We found that these apps relied on in-app writing, daily streaks, and paywalls. Their surface-level content lacked the depth WriteGirl’s writers needed for meaningful engagement.
USER INTERVIEWS
USER INTERVIEWS
Let's Explore What WriteGirl's Writers Need
Let's Explore What WriteGirl's Writers Need
With a clear understanding of our goals and approach, we interviewed WriteGirl volunteers and staff to uncover their writing habits, challenges, and motivations, shaping a design that truly supports their creative experiences. From 5 different user interviews, we uncovered 4 key pain-points.
With a clear understanding of our goals and approach, we interviewed WriteGirl volunteers and staff to uncover their writing habits, challenges, and motivations, shaping a design that truly supports their creative experiences. From 5 different user interviews, we uncovered 4 key pain-points.
With a clear understanding of our goals and approach, we interviewed WriteGirl volunteers and staff to uncover their writing habits, challenges, and motivations, shaping a design that truly supports their creative experiences. From 5 different user interviews, we uncovered 4 key pain-points.
"I Find it Frustrating When I'm…"
Pressured to maintain progress,
Given bland writing tips,
Writing without breaks,
Not in a comfortable environment.
"I Find it Frustrating When I'm…"
Pressured to maintain progress,
Given bland writing tips,
Writing without breaks,
Not in a comfortable environment.
"I Find it Frustrating When I'm…"
Pressured to maintain progress,
Given bland writing tips,
Writing without breaks,
Not in a comfortable environment.
INSIGHT SYNTHESIS
INSIGHT SYNTHESIS
What Insights Did We Gain?
What Insights Did We Gain?
Beyond our key findings above, the interviews provided rich data to explore and cluster related ideas.
Beyond our key findings above, the interviews provided rich data to explore and cluster related ideas.
Beyond our key findings above, the interviews provided rich data to explore and cluster related ideas.
01
How might we inspire brainstorming and creative thinking by framing challenges as opportunities?
02
How might we guide writers while allowing them to tap into their imagination and expression?
03
How might we make the results, although random, feel cohesive?
01
How might we inspire brainstorming and creative thinking by framing challenges as opportunities?
02
How might we guide writers while allowing them to tap into their imagination and expression?
03
How might we make the results, although random, feel cohesive?
01
How might we inspire brainstorming and creative thinking by framing challenges as opportunities?
02
How might we guide writers while allowing them to tap into their imagination and expression?
03
How might we make the results, although random, feel cohesive?
LOFI & MIDFI ITERATIONS
LOFI & MIDFI ITERATIONS
Turning Insights into Sketches
Turning Insights into Sketches
With everything we had learned, we crafted initial lo-fi sketches and mid-fi prototypes.
With everything we had learned, we crafted initial lo-fi sketches and mid-fi prototypes.
With everything we had learned, we crafted initial lo-fi sketches and mid-fi prototypes.
LO-FI ITERATIONS
LO-FI ITERATIONS
MID-FI ITERATIONS
MID-FI ITERATIONS
USABILITY TESTING
USABILITY TESTING
Refining WriteGirl’s Designs via User Testing
Refining WriteGirl’s Designs via User Testing
After building an MVP, we tested the prototype with seven WriteGirl users to uncover usability issues. Through usability testing, we pinpointed struggles, analyzed their causes, and identified ways to enhance the app’s design and user experience for a smoother creative journey.
After building an MVP, we tested the prototype with seven WriteGirl users to uncover usability issues. Through usability testing, we pinpointed struggles, analyzed their causes, and identified ways to enhance the app’s design and user experience for a smoother creative journey.
After building an MVP, we tested the prototype with seven WriteGirl users to uncover usability issues. Through usability testing, we pinpointed struggles, analyzed their causes, and identified ways to enhance the app’s design and user experience for a smoother creative journey.
1
1
Discoverability and Consistency
Discoverability and Consistency
Users had difficulty discovering and consistently using app features, particularly the history feature.
Users had difficulty discovering and consistently using app features, particularly the history feature.
We made the history feature more accessible on end state pages, eliminating the need for backtracking and improving discoverability.
We made the history feature more accessible on end state pages, eliminating the need for backtracking and improving discoverability.
2
2
User-Centric Wording
User-Centric Wording
Users suggested guiding text and action phrases for an intuitive & personable app experience.
Users suggested guiding text and action phrases for an intuitive & personable app experience.
We incorporated user-centric wording, making buttons more intuitive and the app more relatable.
We incorporated user-centric wording, making buttons more intuitive and the app more relatable.
CONSIDERATIONS
CONSIDERATIONS
Polishing the Experience with Thoughtful Considerations
Polishing the Experience with Thoughtful Considerations
WriteGirl excels in evoking unique creative processes and encouraging writers to draw from personal experiences. Our goal was to bring this essence into the mobile app.
WriteGirl excels in evoking unique creative processes and encouraging writers to draw from personal experiences. Our goal was to bring this essence into the mobile app.
WriteGirl excels in evoking unique creative processes and encouraging writers to draw from personal experiences. Our goal was to bring this essence into the mobile app.
1
1
Placing Graphics Intentionally
Placing Graphics Intentionally
We removed graphics from key sections, keeping only text to spark users’ imagination, encouraging creative visualization over predefined imagery.
We removed graphics from key sections, keeping only text to spark users’ imagination, encouraging creative visualization over predefined imagery.
2
2
Humanizing the App
Humanizing the App
We humanized BoldInk with user-centric copy and friendly scroll messages, adding an in-person workshop feel for WriteGirl users.
We humanized BoldInk with user-centric copy and friendly scroll messages, adding an in-person workshop feel for WriteGirl users.
DESIGN SYSTEM
DESIGN SYSTEM
Creating a Balanced Design System
Creating a Balanced Design System
We developed a design system for BoldInk to capture a playful yet mature vibe, balancing vibrant, tactile elements with clean, professional layouts to reflect WriteGirl’s creative spirit and support its diverse writers.
We developed a design system for BoldInk to capture a playful yet mature vibe, balancing vibrant, tactile elements with clean, professional layouts to reflect WriteGirl’s creative spirit and support its diverse writers.
We developed a design system for BoldInk to capture a playful yet mature vibe, balancing vibrant, tactile elements with clean, professional layouts to reflect WriteGirl’s creative spirit and support its diverse writers.
Solution
Solution
Final Designs
Final Designs
Introducing BoldInk
Introducing BoldInk
A creative mobile writing app that encapsulates the magic of in-person WriteGirl workshops all in one place.
A creative mobile writing app that encapsulates the magic of in-person WriteGirl workshops all in one place.
A creative mobile writing app that encapsulates the magic of in-person WriteGirl workshops all in one place.
1
Onboarding
A welcoming process that will excite users to pick up a pen and get started.
1
Onboarding
A welcoming process that will excite users to pick up a pen and get started.
1
Onboarding
A welcoming process that will excite users to pick up a pen and get started.
2
Home Screen
Your easily accessible toolkit to help guide users in exploring all activities and features.
2
Home Screen
Your easily accessible toolkit to help guide users in exploring all activities and features.
2
Home Screen
Your easily accessible toolkit to help guide users in exploring all activities and features.
3
Triple Flip
Randomized collection of objects and words to inspire a poem, story or even a song.
3
Triple Flip
Randomized collection of objects and words to inspire a poem, story or even a song.
3
Triple Flip
Randomized collection of objects and words to inspire a poem, story or even a song.
4
Story Starters
You can use these randomizers to start a story or come back here for inspiration.
4
Story Starters
You can use these randomizers to start a story or come back here for inspiration.
4
Story Starters
You can use these randomizers to start a story or come back here for inspiration.
5
Door Activity
Progressive writing activities that let you enter a whole new realm of unique categories.
5
Door Activity
Progressive writing activities that let you enter a whole new realm of unique categories.
5
Door Activity
Progressive writing activities that let you enter a whole new realm of unique categories.
6
Pocket Prompts
Designed to fire up your creativity. Shuffle for nuggets of words, phrases or ideas.
6
Pocket Prompts
Designed to fire up your creativity. Shuffle for nuggets of words, phrases or ideas.
6
Pocket Prompts
Designed to fire up your creativity. Shuffle for nuggets of words, phrases or ideas.
7
Free Write Zone
Grab and pen and paper. This is your zone, to let your creativity run free.
7
Free Write Zone
Grab and pen and paper. This is your zone, to let your creativity run free.
7
Free Write Zone
Grab and pen and paper. This is your zone, to let your creativity run free.
8
Mind and Body Moments
Activities to refocus attention during a long writing session or to help you shift gears between projects.
8
Mind and Body Moments
Activities to refocus attention during a long writing session or to help you shift gears between projects.
8
Mind and Body Moments
Activities to refocus attention during a long writing session or to help you shift gears between projects.
9
Bookmarks
Got a writing idea? Awesome! All your saved items are right here, ready for you to dive back in and let your creativity flow!
9
Bookmarks
Got a writing idea? Awesome! All your saved items are right here, ready for you to dive back in and let your creativity flow!
9
Bookmarks
Got a writing idea? Awesome! All your saved items are right here, ready for you to dive back in and let your creativity flow!
Looking Ahead
Looking Ahead
TAKEAWAYS
TAKEAWAYS
A Reflection on BoldInk
A Reflection on BoldInk
Collaborating with WriteGirl and our developers, we're finalizing BoldInk's deployment for an app store launch soon. Here are a few of the things I learned throughout this project!
Collaborating with WriteGirl and our developers, we're finalizing BoldInk's deployment for an app store launch soon. Here are a few of the things I learned throughout this project!
Collaborating with WriteGirl and our developers, we're finalizing BoldInk's deployment for an app store launch soon. Here are a few of the things I learned throughout this project!
Controlling Chaos: Throughout this project, there was a lot of designer chaos due to the app's highly interactive features and bold identity—making early prototypes, colors, and compositions an incohesive experience. With so many things going on, it was definitely tough to pull it all together into something cohesive, intuitive, yet still fun and different. As a team, figuring out how to manage that and making it work was a big lesson for me.
End-to-End Collaboration: This was my first time going through the entire product lifecycle from start to finish, and working with developers and my team of designers was a huge part of it. Learning how to talk to them, figuring out needs, feasibility, were just some of the valuable lessons in collaboration that I was lucky enough to learn from this project.
Adaptability: During our iterations, there was a lot of back and forth with stakeholder opinions—as well as user feedback—that impacted the direction of our designs. Although it was challenging sometimes to see things do 180's, especially when it wasn't something I personally agreed with, I learned that adaptability was crucial in making sure our designs made sense for BoldInk. That ability to be open to new ideas and adapt to them really shaped how I approach design now.
Thankful for my team :)
Shoutout to the best PL (Angela), the designers (Jiyeon and Mackenzie),
and the cracked devs (Cheryl, Edward, Erin, Jasmine, Daniel, Angela, and Joy)
Thankful for my team :)
Shoutout to the best PL (Angela), the designers (Jiyeon and Mackenzie),
and the cracked devs (Cheryl, Edward, Erin, Jasmine, Daniel, Angela, and Joy)
Thankful for my team :)
Shoutout to the best PL (Angela), the designers (Jiyeon and Mackenzie),
and the cracked devs (Cheryl, Edward, Erin, Jasmine, Daniel, Angela, and Joy)