ROLE
UX/UI Design
TIMELINE
2-3 Months (2021)
TOOLS
Figma, Illustrator, Photoshop
Context
THE PROBLEM
THE VALUE
For the RSA Student Design Awards, my team chose the "Bridging the Divide" brief, which asked how social media could reduce polarization and foster social connection and collective action. After extensive research into the issue, we developed the idea for NewZ.
We identified that misinformation online is fueling social divides, leading to polarization on political, racial, and gender issues. Biased, unverified public opinions often shape false perceptions.
Through interviews and surveys, we found that most users don’t fact-check before sharing, creating a chain of misinformation that spirals out of control.
NewZ is a news platform designed to engage Gen Z readers by combining the best of news and social media. With an Instagram-like interface, the app presents news through visually engaging photos and videos. It fosters a community where users can interact, discuss current events, and address social issues. Focused on combating misinformation, polarization, and bias, NewZ ensures that all news is thoroughly fact-checked, providing users with reliable, verified information.
THE PROCESS
Before developing NewZ, we needed to understand how misinformation and polarization impact people. We asked: What causes a person to be misinformed? Is it the content they consume, their social circles, or a combination of both?
Through research interviews, we identified a clear pattern among younger users. Much of their misinformation stemmed from social media and what friends and family shared. Many admitted they were more likely to believe something that had been widely shared or had a lot of likes. Furthermore, most confessed to rarely fact-checking the information they shared, a practice they weren’t proud of. Often, this misinformation involved sensitive issues, where the consequences of sharing false information could be significant.
Our goal became clear: we needed to create a safe, reliable space where younger people could access accurate, fact-checked information on the issues that matter most to them. This would empower them to engage in better-informed discussions with friends and family.
THE SOLUTION
A Personalized, Fact-Checked News Feed
an engaging interface
empowering users with digital literacy
With NewZ, users can follow their favorite news sources, stay updated on the latest headlines, and engage with their friends. The app curates a personalized feed, blending content from trusted news sources with comments and interactions from the people users follow.
We recognize that news can often be biased or inaccurate, which is why we go the extra mile. Our dedicated team thoroughly fact-checks each piece of content before it appears in the feed. This added layer of verification sets NewZ apart, ensuring users have access to reliable, well-vetted information that they can trust
NewZ features an Instagram-like interface designed to make news consumption as engaging and seamless as possible. The app’s endless scroll of visually rich content (videos, images, and short text) breaks down complex news stories into bite-sized, easy-to-understand pieces while still delivering all the essential facts.
This format allows users to stay informed quickly, and they can also engage in discussions with the friends they follow, sharing insights on the stories that matter most to them. Whether it's a global event or a local issue, NewZ makes it easier than ever for users to digest, interact, and stay connected.
While NewZ ensures all news and information is thoroughly fact-checked, we wanted to take it a step further by helping users develop the skills to fact-check on their own. By equipping them with the tools to identify misinformation, we aim to empower our users to make informed decisions and contribute to stopping the spread of false information.
To achieve this, we offer digital literacy courses in the paid version of the app. These courses educate users on the dangers of misinformation and the importance of verifying content before sharing it with their friends and family. This initiative enhances users' ability to discern reliable news and fosters a more informed and responsible community.
REFLECTION
The main challenge in tackling misinformation was finding a solution that would benefit everyone, not just one specific demographic. Through the process, I realized that the older and younger generations consume information very differently. Creating a solution that would address the needs of both groups required far more data and resources than we had access to at the time.
Initially, we considered targeting misinformation directly on social media and messaging platforms like Twitter, WhatsApp, and Instagram. However, many of the solutions we proposed felt like we were overstepping by policing how people shared and consumed information, something that goes against the principles of a free society.
If I were to approach this project again with the knowledge I have now, I would focus on creating an app centered on digital literacy. The goal would be to help users understand the importance of fact-checking information before sharing it, and how taking that extra step can make a significant difference in reducing misinformation in the long run.