BeReal. Jam
BeReal. Jam
UX Research | UI/UX Design
UX Research | UI/UX Design
This project was made for a upper division design class here at UC San Diego called Social Computing. In this class we explore the intersection between social behavior and computational systems. The final project for this class was to design a social computing experience that is functional and can be "played" by multiple people within a specific setting.
BeReal. Jam is an extension of BeReal. that facilitates a real-time interaction between users, emphasizing on authenticity, spontaneity, and realness.
This project was made for a upper division design class here at UC San Diego called Social Computing. In this class we explore the intersection between social behavior and computational systems. The final project for this class was to design a social computing experience that is functional and can be "played" by multiple people within a specific setting.
BeReal. Jam is an extension of BeReal. that facilitates a real-time interaction between users, emphasizing on authenticity, spontaneity, and realness.
Team
Team
5 Person Team
5 Person Team
Role
Role
UX Researcher
UI/UX Designer
UX Researcher
UI/UX Designer
Timeline
Timeline
February 2024 - March 2024
February 2024 - March 2024
Research & Exploration
Research & Exploration
Problems
Based on our research of the current platform, we saw many BeReal users express their opinions on community threads. One user mentioned that the platform “limits the socializing part, making it impossible to obsess over and spend countless hours” on the platform. Not only that, an article discussing the decline of BeReal mentioned problems in authenticity. The decline in authenticity stems from our concerns about what others think of us, discouraging us from posting.
The usage of the app has been slowly declining because it gets repetitive when we take snapshots of the same activity every day, whether it’s doing homework on our desks, walking to/from campus, running errands, etc.
This is where BeReal Jam steps in. It addresses these issues by bringing users back onto BeReal by incorporating different dances and songs every day to prevent repetitiveness, encouraging people to post.
Based on our research of the current platform, we saw many BeReal users express their opinions on community threads. One user mentioned that the platform “limits the socializing part, making it impossible to obsess over and spend countless hours” on the platform. Not only that, an article discussing the decline of BeReal mentioned problems in authenticity. The decline in authenticity stems from our concerns about what others think of us, discouraging us from posting.
The usage of the app has been slowly declining because it gets repetitive when we take snapshots of the same activity every day, whether it’s doing homework on our desks, walking to/from campus, running errands, etc.
This is where BeReal Jam steps in. It addresses these issues by bringing users back onto BeReal by incorporating different dances and songs every day to prevent repetitiveness, encouraging people to post.
Surveys
We conducted an online survey to understand the following questions:
• How do people engage with others through BeReal?
• How much time do people spend on BeReal?
• How connected do people feel when they interact with their friends on BeReal?
To gain immediate potential user insights for our social setting, we recruited over 25 participants, mostly college students at UCSD. We distributed an online Google survey through Discord, Instagram, and Messages as well as reaching out to people from our classes and through personal connections.
The survey includes 11 questions, both open-ended and quantitative, in order to gain an understanding of what challenges or problems our users are facing on a daily basis. The quantitative data are used for graphs as well as proof that there is a real need for our app. The qualitative data are analyzed and used for further iterations of BeReal Jam.
We conducted an online survey to understand the following questions:
• How do people engage with others through BeReal?
• How much time do people spend on BeReal?
• How connected do people feel when they interact with their friends on BeReal?
To gain immediate potential user insights for our social setting, we recruited over 25 participants, mostly college students at UCSD. We distributed an online Google survey through Discord, Instagram, and Messages as well as reaching out to people from our classes and through personal connections.
The survey includes 11 questions, both open-ended and quantitative, in order to gain an understanding of what challenges or problems our users are facing on a daily basis. The quantitative data are used for graphs as well as proof that there is a real need for our app. The qualitative data are analyzed and used for further iterations of BeReal Jam.
Findings
People are interested in dancing
Yet they find it hard to dance
Most common challenge is scared of judgment
Removing challenging factor increased people's interest
Competitive Analysis
TikTok
TikTok is a popular platform that allows for short dance videos, content creation, and diverse content sharing globally. The platform has found a way for viewers and creators to interact in real-time by the Live feature. However, it does not offer an option for users to participate asynchronously at different times.
TikTok
TikTok is a popular platform that allows for short dance videos, content creation, and diverse content sharing globally. The platform has found a way for viewers and creators to interact in real-time by the Live feature. However, it does not offer an option for users to participate asynchronously at different times.
Snapchat Spotlight
Snapchat Spotlight is a feature offered on Snapchat for creating short videos including dance challenges, skits, and creative storytelling. However, it lacks interaction due to the absence of a commenting feature that limits engagement. The anonymity of creators can also hinder the formation of new relationships.
Snapchat Spotlight
Snapchat Spotlight is a feature offered on Snapchat for creating short videos including dance challenges, skits, and creative storytelling. However, it lacks interaction due to the absence of a commenting feature that limits engagement. The anonymity of creators can also hinder the formation of new relationships.
Just Dance
Just Dance is an interactive dance video game where users follow dance moves and score points in competition with their friends. While it's a popular game, the use of sensors to monitor movements can pose drawbacks, especially with more players joining. Users need to stand at a certain distance for the sensors to capture their movements, but this distance is often unclear until they begin playing, leading to potential frustration. The presence of animated avatars in Just Dance can detract from the authenticity of the experience.
Just Dance
Just Dance is an interactive dance video game where users follow dance moves and score points in competition with their friends. While it's a popular game, the use of sensors to monitor movements can pose drawbacks, especially with more players joining. Users need to stand at a certain distance for the sensors to capture their movements, but this distance is often unclear until they begin playing, leading to potential frustration. The presence of animated avatars in Just Dance can detract from the authenticity of the experience.
Design Process
Design Goal
Based on our research, many BeReal users feel that BeReal is a great platform to capture spontaneous moments in their lives daily. However, they lose interest due to the repetitive nature of the experience. In order to foster relationships and facilitate new social connections on BeReal, our team designed an extension to BeReal that allows users to create dance content with friends, anywhere at a given time.
Based on our research, many BeReal users feel that BeReal is a great platform to capture spontaneous moments in their lives daily. However, they lose interest due to the repetitive nature of the experience. In order to foster relationships and facilitate new social connections on BeReal, our team designed an extension to BeReal that allows users to create dance content with friends, anywhere at a given time.
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Prototyping Version 1.0
We started off the prototyping session by introducing our app extension idea and showing users a little bit of how it works. We first showed the audience a tutorial of our group dance when it was edited together. This was made to give users a feel of the viewer experience since we can’t edit their videos together during the short prototyping session. We also had a Slido pulled up on the screen for the audience to comment as we played the video.
We started off the prototyping session by introducing our app extension idea and showing users a little bit of how it works. We first showed the audience a tutorial of our group dance when it was edited together. This was made to give users a feel of the viewer experience since we can’t edit their videos together during the short prototyping session. We also had a Slido pulled up on the screen for the audience to comment as we played the video.
Jammer Prototyping
How it works! We set the scene for our users. Once they get a notification for BeReal Jam, they will click on the notification, read the instructions, and see the song they will be dancing to.
How it works! We set the scene for our users. Once they get a notification for BeReal Jam, they will click on the notification, read the instructions, and see the song they will be dancing to.
Then you'll begin watching the tutorial video and set your phone up to record.
Then you'll begin watching the tutorial video and set your phone up to record.
BeReal Jam Tutorial
Recording BeReal Jam
For our prototyping session, we had the class break up into 4 groups with one group in each corner of the room. Each group was assigned a leader.
Instructions for V1.0 Prototype:
1. Break into 4 groups with an assigned leader
2. Your assigned leader will show you a clip of the dance move you and your group will learn and follow
3. 5 minutes to practice as a group
4. Recording time!
5. We will start recording at corner 1 then move in a circle to corner 2, 3, and then 4. When you hear your part, dance!
For our prototyping session, we had the class break up into 4 groups with one group in each corner of the room. Each group was assigned a leader.
Instructions for V1.0 Prototype:
1. Break into 4 groups with an assigned leader
2. Your assigned leader will show you a clip of the dance move you and your group will learn and follow
3. 5 minutes to practice as a group
4. Recording time!
5. We will start recording at corner 1 then move in a circle to corner 2, 3, and then 4. When you hear your part, dance!
Viewer Prototyping
After the 5 minutes, we recorded the dance giving them two tries, one practice round, and one official round. Then we showed them their video with a Slido pulled up next to it for the audience to comment on their video.
After the 5 minutes, we recorded the dance giving them two tries, one practice round, and one official round. Then we showed them their video with a Slido pulled up next to it for the audience to comment on their video.
Slido Live Chat
"Better Place" BeReal Jam Mashup
Feedback & Key Takeaways
After the prototyping session, we asked the audience about their experience and how we could improve our idea.
For our prototyping session, we had the class break up into 4 groups with one group in each corner of the room. Each group was assigned a leader.
Key Points:
• What happens when users post late?
• Dance is either too hard or too easy for some people
• Some audience felt a little awkward
• How do we come up with dance moves?
• Recording and dance wasn't too hard
After the prototyping session, we asked the audience about their experience and how we could improve our idea.
For our prototyping session, we had the class break up into 4 groups with one group in each corner of the room. Each group was assigned a leader.
Key Points:
• What happens when users post late?
• Dance is either too hard or too easy for some people
• Some audience felt a little awkward
• How do we come up with dance moves?
• Recording and dance wasn't too hard
For Next Prototyping
Features added onto BeReal Jam based on feedback:
• Vote for next song
• Accepts late posts but no voting
• BeReal choreographers or volunteers will create dances
• Various levels of difficulty
• BeReal challenges
Features added onto BeReal Jam based on feedback:
• Vote for next song
• Accepts late posts but no voting
• BeReal choreographers or volunteers will create dances
• Various levels of difficulty
• BeReal challenges
Prototyping Version 2.0
We started off the second prototype with a recap of BeReal Jam and clearly stated what happens when you miss the initial Jam. Then, we introduced our new voting feature and BeReal Challenges.
Instead of having users take part in a regular Jam as we did in week 8, we decided to have them test out BeReal Challenges.
During our week 10 prototype, we also showed our audience what the jammer experience would essentially look like.
We started off the second prototype with a recap of BeReal Jam and clearly stated what happens when you miss the initial Jam. Then, we introduced our new voting feature and BeReal Challenges.
Instead of having users take part in a regular Jam as we did in week 8, we decided to have them test out BeReal Challenges.
During our week 10 prototype, we also showed our audience what the jammer experience would essentially look like.
User Flow
Jammer Flow
Viewer Flow
Jammer Prototyping
Based on the feedback we received from week 8 prototyping session, we decided to add additional features and refine some of our ideas. We started off the second prototype with a recap of BeReal Jam and clearly stated what happens when you miss the initial Jam. Then, we introduced our new voting feature and BeReal Challenges.
Instead of having users take part in a regular Jam as we did in week 8, we decided to have them test out BeReal Challenges.
Instructions for V2.0 Prototype:
1. Break into 4 groups with an assigned leader
2. Watch tutorial
3. Learn & Practice!
4. Dance Battle (2 volunteers per group)
5. Watch Battle + Vote!
Based on the feedback we received from week 8 prototyping session, we decided to add additional features and refine some of our ideas. We started off the second prototype with a recap of BeReal Jam and clearly stated what happens when you miss the initial Jam. Then, we introduced our new voting feature and BeReal Challenges.
Instead of having users take part in a regular Jam as we did in week 8, we decided to have them test out BeReal Challenges.
Instructions for V2.0 Prototype:
1. Break into 4 groups with an assigned leader
2. Watch tutorial
3. Learn & Practice!
4. Dance Battle (2 volunteers per group)
5. Watch Battle + Vote!
Viewer Prototyping
The rest of the class was the audience and they watched both teams side by side. We also had a slido for comments as they watched the teams dance live. After the dance, they voted for which team did it best! In addition, they also got to vote for the next Jam song.
The rest of the class was the audience and they watched both teams side by side. We also had a slido for comments as they watched the teams dance live. After the dance, they voted for which team did it best! In addition, they also got to vote for the next Jam song.
Slido Live Chat
"Better Place" BeReal Challenge
Slido Team Voting
At the end of the challenge after the voting, we had users vote for the next jam song. Usually, the Jam voting does not take place after a challenge, it takes place after you record your Jam but we decided to let the audience vote to give them a feel of the new voting feature.
At the end of the challenge after the voting, we had users vote for the next jam song. Usually, the Jam voting does not take place after a challenge, it takes place after you record your Jam but we decided to let the audience vote to give them a feel of the new voting feature.
Slido Song Voting
Feedback & Key Takeaways
After the prototyping session, we asked the audience about their experience and how we could improve our idea.
Key Points:
• Users found the prototype easy to understand and the dance tutorial easy to follow
• Users enjoyed the dancing experience
• Users liked the difficulty level (easy, normal, hard) options for the dance
• Users enjoyed the concept of the dance battle
After the prototyping session, we asked the audience about their experience and how we could improve our idea.
Key Points:
• Users found the prototype easy to understand and the dance tutorial easy to follow
• Users enjoyed the dancing experience
• Users liked the difficulty level (easy, normal, hard) options for the dance
• Users enjoyed the concept of the dance battle
Final Design
Design System
For our design system, we have introduced a new logo and color that seamlessly integrates with the existing color palette, ensuring coherence across the BeReal Jam interface. Our efforts have extended to the augmentation of the BeReal UI with novel components such as slider bars and buttons, enriching the user experience while maintaining the distinct identity of our design.
For our design system, we have introduced a new logo and color that seamlessly integrates with the existing color palette, ensuring coherence across the BeReal Jam interface. Our efforts have extended to the augmentation of the BeReal UI with novel components such as slider bars and buttons, enriching the user experience while maintaining the distinct identity of our design.
Final Prototype
Next Steps
For Future Improvements….
After gathering feedback from our final round of prototyping session, we decided to incorporate a few more quality of life changes for our Jam:
• A play speed option for dancing tutorials (can slow down or speed up the tutorial for personal needs)
• A verbal command along with dancing tutorials to further facilitate the learning experience
• A dual screen feature where users can dance along the tutorials while they record themselves on the phone’s selfie camera
We received a lot of positive feedback as well as desires to make our prototype into an actual feature in BeReal. Thus, for our next steps, we will polish our prototype and design the features to match seamlessly with the BeReal app. Then, we will start the testing phase by having users test our fleshed out features on the BeReal app. Eventually, BeReal Jam will become a part of BeReal’s regular function.
For Future Improvements….
After gathering feedback from our final round of prototyping session, we decided to incorporate a few more quality of life changes for our Jam:
• A play speed option for dancing tutorials (can slow down or speed up the tutorial for personal needs)
• A verbal command along with dancing tutorials to further facilitate the learning experience
• A dual screen feature where users can dance along the tutorials while they record themselves on the phone’s selfie camera
We received a lot of positive feedback as well as desires to make our prototype into an actual feature in BeReal. Thus, for our next steps, we will polish our prototype and design the features to match seamlessly with the BeReal app. Then, we will start the testing phase by having users test our fleshed out features on the BeReal app. Eventually, BeReal Jam will become a part of BeReal’s regular function.
Reflection
In our journey with BeReal Jam, we delved into the depths of iterative design and creative thinking. We began with a multitude of concepts, ultimately refining our vision to BeReal Jam through a combination of online research, scholarly exploration, and prototyping. With each iteration and prototype developed and tested in our classroom setting, we gained invaluable insights.
Through meticulous user testing and research, we fine-tuned our understanding of our target audience, learning how to tailor our ideas to meet their needs. Over the span of seven weeks, we uncovered the reasons behind the decline in BeReal's usage and identified strategies to reignite interest in the app. Our exploration also shed light on the diverse comfort levels and preferences among users, particularly in the realm of dancing. This realization prompted us to introduce different skill levels to accommodate varying abilities. Additionally, we discovered a strong desire among users for communal activities such as dance battles and interactive voting.
Ultimately, our journey with BeReal Jam taught us not only about the power of iteration and creativity but also about the profound connection between dance and happiness.
In our journey with BeReal Jam, we delved into the depths of iterative design and creative thinking. We began with a multitude of concepts, ultimately refining our vision to BeReal Jam through a combination of online research, scholarly exploration, and prototyping. With each iteration and prototype developed and tested in our classroom setting, we gained invaluable insights.
Through meticulous user testing and research, we fine-tuned our understanding of our target audience, learning how to tailor our ideas to meet their needs. Over the span of seven weeks, we uncovered the reasons behind the decline in BeReal's usage and identified strategies to reignite interest in the app. Our exploration also shed light on the diverse comfort levels and preferences among users, particularly in the realm of dancing. This realization prompted us to introduce different skill levels to accommodate varying abilities. Additionally, we discovered a strong desire among users for communal activities such as dance battles and interactive voting.
Ultimately, our journey with BeReal Jam taught us not only about the power of iteration and creativity but also about the profound connection between dance and happiness.