Abstract
OOTD is a fashion-forward social platform that brings together individuals who are passionate about expressing themselves through style. Following a successful hackathon win and growing user interest, we recognized the need to evolve our early prototype into a fully realized app. As the sole designer on the project, I was responsible for crafting an engaging suite of screens and user interactions that would bring the concept to life and deliver a complete, satisfying experience for our users.
Context
Our vision was to create a digital space where sharing everyday outfits felt natural, exciting, and true to real life. The app needed to strike a balance between being familiar and original, intuitive and modern. It was crucial that the interface resonate with our core demographic of college students, who are accustomed to sleek, polished platforms, while also encouraging daily engagement.
We aimed to stand apart from the hyper-curated, heavily edited standards often found on social media. Instead, OOTD embraces authenticity by encouraging users to celebrate their daily looks without filters or artificial enhancements. The experience had to make fashion fun again, not performative.
In addition to designing the app’s core screens and flows, there was also a need to establish a distinct visual identity. This included creating an original logo and a digital design language that would not only captivate our users but also align with the ethos of the platform. The branding needed to feel fresh and inviting while maintaining a level of polish that reflected our ambitions for growth and legitimacy in the competitive social media space.
Solution
I designed over 40 unique screen interactions across six main navigation flows, along with a thoughtful onboarding experience to guide new users. The result is a robust and engaging platform that supports self-expression, connection, and community through fashion.
Home
The Home page serves as the heart of the app:
Users scroll through outfits posted by friends.
Swipe right to like an outfit, swipe left to pass.
Add comments to hype up and support others.
Save looks to a personalized inspiration board for future outfit ideas.
This interaction-first design encourages discovery and positive feedback, creating a loop of engagement and creativity.
Leaderboard
The Leaderboard introduces a fun, competitive edge to the app:
See which users are gaining the most likes.
Celebrate who’s currently topping the charts.
Encourage users to level up their style and be recognized by the community.
It transforms outfit sharing into a social game, fostering friendly rivalry while maintaining a supportive atmosphere.
Profile
The Profile screen gives users insight into their impact and progression:
View total likes received.
Track wins in daily outfit challenges.
Monitor posting streaks to encourage consistent engagement.
Review past outfits to see trends and standout pieces.
It’s a personalized fashion diary that adds depth and motivation to user participation.
Research
To inform our approach, I studied several leading apps:
BeReal inspired the raw, authentic daily-sharing ethos.
Tinder provided foundational ideas for swipe-based interactions.
Instagram highlighted social engagement features and aesthetic standards.
These references helped translate our concept into actionable and intuitive design choices.
Feedback and Collaboration
Community involvement played a vital role in development. We cultivated a user base that genuinely believed in our mission and was eager to provide feedback. This continuous loop of input and iteration ensured that we built features that resonated and refined those that didn’t.
Design Approach
The design direction focused on creating a sense of fun and approachability. Every element—from swiping and saving to commenting and leaderboard placement—was intentionally chosen to feel familiar yet fresh. These interactions promote positivity and community while encouraging users to keep sharing.
Information Structure
With the growing scope of features, managing complexity became key. Tools like FigJam and Notion became essential for structuring the design process:
FigJam helped map out interaction flows, dependencies, and screen connections.
Notion kept documentation organized and accessible.
Features such as group creation expanded into multiple screens—add members, manage roles, view group activity—which required careful planning to maintain coherence.
This structured approach helped me, as the sole designer, tackle the app’s scale without sacrificing quality or consistency.
Future Plans
We are currently in public beta, following a successful alpha launch. Over 300 active users are testing the app, and feedback continues to shape our evolution. Our growth has been bolstered by participating in numerous showcases and accelerator programs:
Originated at SpartaHacks at Michigan State University.
Showcased at SHIP and V1 at the University of Michigan.
Joined the Anderson School of Management’s Venture Accelerator at UCLA to connect with West Coast innovators.
Looking ahead, we aim to foster a brand that our community can proudly represent. This includes exclusive merchandise like keychains, hoodies, and apparel that align with our ethos. Our mission is not just to build an app—but a movement rooted in authenticity, creativity, and community.
