Problem Statement

Currently, when you try to search for content or creators on Patreon, it leads you to an empty page. There is little user engagement, and most importantly, the discoverability of new creators or new content is extremely low.

Solution

I made changes to how the platform operates by placing both content and creators at the heart of the experience. Users can now enjoy a full-page design, an improved recent section for easy access to their subscriptions, and a completely rethought search page with an advanced search bar and filters, all designed with a focus on content.

User Interviews

I conducted several interviews with users initially to gather insights about their experience with Patreon, particularly focusing on discoverability. The results revealed two main issues: firstly, users do not feel engaged when using the platform; secondly, they expressed concerns about the confusing and sometimes cluttered user interface, which does not present content during searches.

Competitor Benchmarking

I researched content-focused experiences as well as platforms created to help creators get an overview of existing products. I identified Ko-Fi as a direct competitor, as it is primarily used to financially support creators and focuses on discovering new potential subscriptions. As an indirect competitor, I chose Dribbble, a platform that offers creative ideas for users and primarily focuses on content consumption.

Ideation Phase

I used a mind map to structure my ideas. I wondered how I could improve or add features to the overall redesign of Patreon. After identifying the areas to improve and add, I used a matrix that allowed me to prioritize features that have a significant impact on users with minimal effort in their development.

Mind map

Impact vs Effort Matrix

Graphic Style

Patreon underwent a rebranding in October 2023, aligned with their vision for the future of the creator economy and their unwavering commitment to it. The new design incorporates a minimalist color palette, primarily in black and white, allowing creators to infuse vibrant colors into their content.

Wireframes

With the UI styles and improvement areas clearly identified to address, I started by creating some wireframes.

First, I moved the navigation bar, initially positioned horizontally on the left side, up and reduced its size, which allowed us to gain considerable screen space, perfect for our content-centered approach.

For the recent/home page design, I opted for an approach inspired by Dribbble. You will find your subscriptions as well as the latest available content, and you will easily be able to like and save posts.

I considered two wireframe layouts for the search page and chose the second. It is better aligned with our discoverability mission, displaying categories and recommendations, unlike the first which could have become cluttered when it comes to managing categories.

High-Fidelity Prototype

With my wireframes ready for the design phase, I began developing the signup process. I integrated formats and categories for users to make their choices. Additionally, I decided to modify the logo in the recent selector on the navigation bar, replacing the star with a user-friendly icon that better represents the new subscription-based page.

The recent page features a sleek card design that emphasizes content and text, essential for creators to engage with their subscribers. The overall experience is smooth, with micro-interactions embedded throughout. For example, hovering over different creators in the search page gives a peek at the content they produce.

The card design is dynamic, adjusting based on the type of content displayed. For example, it showcases an artistic photo card with an engaging image and switches to an action-oriented layout (play/pause buttons) for podcasts. Like and save features are consistently available for all types of content.

Usability Testing

Usability testing regularly provides valuable insights to improve my prototypes. In this case, users expressed positive feelings about the content-centered approach on the search page, finding it simple and user-friendly. However, feedback on the recent page was more mixed, with a 50/50 split. Some users appreciated the presence of their favorite creators, while others suggested an alternative, preferring an Instagram-style scrolling page (an interesting perspective to explore). These insights from direct user feedback guide our focus towards continuous improvement to provide the best user experiences possible.

Key Takeaways

1. We are always seeking to achieve the perfect product and improve things... but it is never perfect, and new ideas emerge all the time.

2. Designing web products is more challenging than designing applications.

3. Simplifying words and icons is essential for user understanding.