Social media plays a significant role in our daily lives. Apps like Pinterest offer users the opportunity to discover and share new ideas with others who have similar interests. Pinterest has rapidly grown into a popular and unique app, but alongside this reputation, there is always room for improvement.
In this project, we will investigate Pinterest. We specifically focus on potential improvements that could lead to higher user satisfaction. We will conduct research using various theories and models commonly used in the development of today’s major apps, but with a different goal in mind: helping users achieve what they want.
Research
Many Pinterest users feel they lack control over how they spend their time on the platform. Pinterest provides an endless stream of posts tailored to users' interests, increasing the likelihood that they will continue scrolling. According to a study by Dr. Mohammed Saeed, published in Recovery (2024), behaviors that trigger dopamine, such as discovering interesting posts, tend to repeat. There is no pause or moment to stop and do something else, causing users to often spend more time on Pinterest than intended.
We want to give users more control over their time on Pinterest. The goal is to create an environment where users are aware of their behavior and can easily choose to do something else. This way, they can decide for themselves how much time they want to spend on the app.
In our fast-paced world, efficiency and time management are crucial. Pinterest offers a platform for finding specific inspiration but is designed to keep users engaged even after they find what they need. With our modification, we aim to create an app that helps users quickly achieve their goals without getting stuck in endless scrolling. This way, they can spend their time and energy on what truly matters, such as actually working on creative projects rather than just finding inspiration.
rework
In this case analysis, we developed four redesigns for Pinterest, of which we combined the last three: the "see more" button, a timer, and personalized notifications. These redesigns aim to encourage the desired behavior, namely giving users more control over their time on the app and making it easier for them to choose to do something else. The "see more" button helps by increasing the user's mental effort (Ability, B.J. Fogg), making them think twice before clicking "see more." The timer helps users reflect on how much time they are spending, preventing them from falling into the scroll-loop (Bottomless bowls hijack, Tristan Harris). Lastly, personalized notifications ensure that users are not disturbed by unwanted alerts, giving them control over the external triggers they receive (Trigger, Nir Eyal).
Reflection
This project was more theoretical than many of the others I had worked on, with fewer design elements involved. At the beginning, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it, but it turned out to be one of the most interesting and fulfilling projects I’ve done. Through this experience, I discovered my passion for understanding the human mind and how to design with users' behavior and needs in mind. I also learned the importance of thorough research before starting the design process. It became clear to me that having a deep understanding of the problem is crucial to creating effective and meaningful solutions.
Grade: 8.5