SocialCraft
12 Weeks
overview
Many older adults find conventional social media platforms overwhelming or inaccessible, leading to low engagement and missed opportunities for meaningful interaction. SocialCraft was designed to address these challenges by creating a hobby-centred platform that is secure, intuitive, and easy to navigate, while encouraging users to connect over shared creative interests.
Challenges
This project was a solo endeavour completed over 12 weeks, with time and learning constraints impacting the depth of user testing and feature complexity. As a first-time user of Adobe XD and Figma, the prototype was limited to basic functionality and sensory data representations. Despite these constraints, iterative testing with paper prototypes and focus groups provided valuable feedback to improve usability and accessibility.
Research & Insights
Research began with interviews of older adults, revealing key concerns around privacy, accessibility, and ease of use. Participants emphasised a preference for sharing knowledge over following influencers, as well as features like improved search, clear navigation, and customisable font sizes for readability. Complementing this, literature on digital engagement among older Australians showed increased internet usage, particularly among women in their 60s and 70s, highlighting the importance of privacy-focused and user-friendly design. Personas and user scenarios were developed to capture these insights, guiding design decisions throughout the project.
Outcome
The final design focuses on accessibility, familiarity, and engagement. Pastel beige and blue tones were chosen for a calming, approachable aesthetic, while soft, clear iconography ensures clarity for users unfamiliar with social media conventions. The main icon—a yarn ball—reflects the hobbyist focus of the platform, reinforcing a sense of community and purpose. Navigation is intuitive, content is presented clearly, and customisable features like font size help users interact comfortably. Overall, SocialCraft creates a welcoming and supportive digital space that encourages older adults to engage, share, and connect around their hobbies.
Reflection
Through SocialCraft, I learned the importance of designing for accessibility and inclusivity, particularly for demographics with limited digital experience. Iterative user testing and close attention to user needs allowed me to create a platform that is both approachable and meaningful, demonstrating that thoughtful design can empower older users to confidently participate in online communities.