Project 1

Jake Perry

For my project one re-design, I decided to focus on social media platforms, specifically Instagram. Instagram has been deemed one of the most detrimental platforms for mental health according to Time Magazine and a survey from the Royal Society for Public Health. Its whole M.O. is to create the opportunity for self promotion and expression. The way that its set up allows for other less positive effects. Many people using Instagram suffer from anxiety, depression and F.O.M.O. (Fear of missing out) . Its constantly setting unreal expectations for people. More specifically teens and young adults. You’re repeatedly  being exposed to instagram influencers and models. These people live outrageous lifestyles and are incredibly attractive. They take photoshoots in infinity pools on the tops of skyscrapers in Dubai and bikini or muscle photos on the beaches of Fiji. All of this while getting paid. It sets a standard for what’s hot and what’s cool. The two biggest factors young adults care most about. They stress for likes on selfies and the amount of followers they have because they need that approval to feel cool or hot. When they don’t get as many likes as they hoped for, then theres a greater chance of feeling depressed and feel less confident in yourself. The platform has shifted from being a “social” platform and become highly focused on self promotion and competition. The other negative factor of this platform is that its highly addictive. So checking on it becomes a tick. 

People are taking the term consumer to an entirely new level. They have become themselves consumed by this platform. Wether its time, effort, or mental health in the grand scheme of things its not worth it, but viewing this as an addiction people need help. Its something that I know I take part in as well. Im constantly checking my feed for new entertaining videos and sports highlights. Then when it comes to posting actual photos, I’m stuck contemplating which photo would people like more, what will have get the biggest reaction. Its kind of sad because I’m allowing people to dictate what I put out into the digital world rather than what I might think it best. It doesn’t effect me that greatly, looking back through my posts I feel like I actually really like what I’m putting out there but there are a few that didn’t need to go.

This platform I think at its core and basic level is a great tool for self expression and keeping up to date with current events in the world and also what your friends are up to. It can be super inspiring and also produce some amazing pieces of art. Thats what I would like to do for my redesign. I want to take it and make the platform about art and expressing your true self rather than just an app for people to conform to certain ideals and not just girls drinking white claws in bikinis and dudes crushing folding tables. Its gonna be a different experience. For my redesign take away the power of the infamous like button, hide the amount of followers someone has, and create a two hour time limit per day. 

Starting with the like button. The soul cause of anxiety and depression. I won’t remove the button like button entirely, my plan is to redesign its purpose. So you you will still have the ability to like a photo but it won’t show the you liked it. It will still place photos you’ve liked into a folder. From the other perspective, if you post a photo you won’t be able to see who has liked it or the number of people who have liked it. Thus will remove the need to please others and seek their approval.  

Another focus point on instagram is the amount of followers people have. Another thing that will be private. So you can see who’s following you but no one else can. This will take away the social status aspect of the app. No more comparing numbers of followers.  

`The two hour limit will help with people who are addicted to the app. There will be no way around it. You get two hours per day and there will be reminders as you use the app reminding you of how much time is left. It will allow people to peak around the app through out the day and find cool stuff that was posted that day and then get back to reality.

This redesign will hopefully get people back to using the app for the right reasons and using it to express their true selves. Also to start using it for the benefits of Instagram. In the article “How Social Media Helps and Hurts Us” from allphysiologyschools.com, it mentions different benefits social media can have.

 Things like:

– Spreads happiness to others

• Finding role models 
• Positively affects how people manage their health
• Increases quality of healthcare
• Reconnects people.

These are the qualities that make the app worth keeping around.