LensCue is a daily prompted photo journal mobile application. LensCue's tagline is “the cue to use your lens”. This implies that the application will prompt you to take out your phone camera to capture the world around you. Having a daily journal prompt encourages the users to be more mindful throughout their days. It gives you something to reflect on and then share that with others. The story and emotions that are trying to be brought out with this application are a sense of personal growth, discovery, creativity, and shared experiences. LensCue creates a community of people who share similar interests and motivates them to interact and value one another's unique points of view.
Why LensCue?
LensCue underwent multiple iterations before becoming what it is now. Initially conceived as a travel photography logging app, it evolved into a platform for daily photo journaling. Despite these changes, its core goal remains sharing experiences through photos. The name LensCue, accompanied by the tagline "the cue to use your lens," hints at its purpose of prompting users to capture their surroundings. The daily journal prompt fosters mindfulness and encourages reflection and sharing.
Research
A survey for the product was carried out and received 45 responses. It reported that 85 percent of teens and young adults use social media daily. This shows that these teens and young adults are frequent users of various social media platforms. There are many ways to share stories with others. It was reported that 100 percent of these teens and young adults said that they enjoy using visuals when sharing experiences. The interviews were a good source of information outside of the survey questions. The interviewees were given more of a chance to express more thought out ideas. Interview responses suggest that there is a want for a more personal form of social media interaction. LensCue promotes this through mindful prompts that allow the user to break past the surface level social media post.
Prototypes
Competition
LensCue faces competition from Instagram, BeReal, Lemon8, Reddit, and Facebook. Instagram is great for sharing pictures and videos, and it has features like Stories and Reels. BeReal stands out because it sends a daily notification for quick photo sharing. Lemon8 is like a digital scrapbook for sharing lifestyle stuff, and Reddit has lots of different communities. LensCue is different because it is focused on storytelling through journal-like posts, targeted for teens and young adults aged 17 to 24. While BeReal has daily notifications, LensCue plans to send daily prompts for sharing personal growth and creativity. This idea came from interviews showing that people want more real sharing on social media. LensCue wants to be a place where users can share genuine stories and connect authentically.
Personas
LensCue’s personas encompass a diverse range of individuals, each with unique passions, goals, and values that align with the app’s core themes of personal growth, discovery, creativity, and shared experiences. Creative Cathy, a 22 year old graphic designer, seeks daily inspiration and a community of like-minded artists to enhance her creative journey. Adventure Alex, a 24 year old travel blogger, aims to share his adventures and connect with fellow travelers while promoting personal growth through exploration. Wellness Wendy, a 19 year old student, values mindfulness and holistic living, using LensCue to inspire others on their wellness journey and foster a supportive community focused on self-discovery. These personas collectively illustrate LensCue’s appeal to a young audience seeking meaningful connections, creative expression, and opportunities for personal development.
Logo Progression
Cultural Relevance
LensCue focuses on understanding social media users' true desires, revealing a strong desire for authentic sharing over superficial content. It emphasizes genuine connections and personal growth narratives, creating a platform for meaningful interactions, sharing unique journeys, and inspiring others. This approach is expected to resonate with users seeking a more enriching and authentic social media experience.
Visual Strategy
LensCue crafts a unique visual strategy inspired by scrapbooks and collages, fostering intimacy and authenticity. Its scrapbook-style interface appeals to a younger audience, offering customizable layouts, filters, and interactive features for an immersive experience. This strategy extends to promotional materials and social media, reinforcing a message of personal growth and shared experiences.