The project's goal
Starting from the idea and the research done for the Kinora project under the 2055 speculative lens, create a real app that connects neighbours and activates the local community. Test the app with stakeholders, iterate, and experiment building it using AI and shipping it.
Challenges & Solutions
Challenge
Challenge
Challenge
User Research
Additional Documents
App Building Workflow
App User Journey
Knoop - knots as ties between people in the community, knot character
Cozy neighbourhood- soft gradients, illustrated icons, clear app icon
Tulip mascot - concept of tiers, growing characters that show progression, ties with The Netherlands
Feedback
I decided to go with option 2 for the branding of the app. I was aiming for colorful and illustrative, approachable, fun, lighthearted.
I received feedback from stakeholders that the app felt too digital, which made it not seem that trustworthy. Also, it became apparent that I didn't meet my goal of making illustration a big part of the app. My illustration use was minimal and didn't add value to the user experience.
Final Branding
The concept for the visual identity of the app is 'Aura'.
Aura is described as an energy field around a person, to which are attributed different colors which give insight into how the person is feeling and what type of person they are. 'Aura' is also a forming word of 'Kinora', the name of the app, which made this choice even stronger.
I turned this concept into characters, that are connected to 3 different tiers, that show growth based on participation in the community.
The users can earn 'aura points', rewards for meaningful activities, such as joining initiatives like volunteering, food drive etc. or by doing favors for neighbours in need.
Supporting Illustrations
Illustrations used throughout the app
I experimented with Google Stitch, letting it generate the UI for a neighbourhood community app, giving minimal direction on prompts. This way I could see what are the default content and pages that it deems necessary for such an app. The AI also gives suggestions for prompts, and in this way it came up with the concept of 'community points', a way of rewarding users for their participation.
I decided to use this idea in my project, which is what led to the final branding identity of the app.
Trying out base44
Building with Lovable
Kinora Figma Prototype
Conclusion
Throughout this project I took on the role of the researcher, the designer, the illustrator, and briefly the developer.
Ultimately, since the app is meant to be about people, about the experience of the residents living in their neighbourhood, their safety comes first. Therefore, for the building of this app I would rather enlist the help of a person, a developer with experience and their expertise, than build it myself with AI, in order to make sure the cyber security of the app is up to standard.
Try the app prototype!
Scan the QR code with your phone and click through the app!
Don't worry, by clicking 'Sign up' no information is collected from you, the prototype is only simulating the experience of the app with no commitment or data from you.
