REAL-LIFE SKILLS 11 Imagine you are part of a small team developing a new, niche social network aimed at a specific community. Follow the instructions. Step 1 Step 4 Read the introduction. Sketch the main feed layout (desktop & mobile). Planning the layout of a social network involves understanding user experience, visual hierarchy, and the core purpose of the platform. This task forces you to think about the practical application of design principles in a social context, moving beyond just aesthetics to consider how users will actually interact with and navigate the platform. Desktop: In drawing a basic sketch consider: the elements in each individual post (user profile picture, name, text, image or video, like/comment/share buttons); possible sidebar content (trending topics, suggested users, ads, quick links to other sections); navigation: places of the main navigation (home, profile, notifications, search); Step 2 Split up into groups and select a niche for your social network. Here are some examples, but feel free to come up with your own: Local food enthusiasts: users share restaurant reviews, homemade recipes, local food events, and food photography. Independent game developers: users share game development progress, ask for feedback, showcase art assets, and discuss coding challenges. Urban gardeners: users share gardening tips, progress photos of their plants, ask for advice on pest control, and discuss local seed swaps. content prominence: the most important content (larger images, prominent headlines). Step 5 Design key user interaction elements. Follow these suggestions: How would a user initiate creating a new post? Where would this button/icon be located, and what would its immediate visual feedback be? How would Like, Comment, and Share (or equivalent, specific to your niche) buttons look and function? Where would they be placed relative to the content? How would users see new notifications, and what would the visual cue be? Where would a search bar be located for easy access to find specific content or users? Step 3 Define the core user need and goal. What is the primary reason people would use this specific social network? (e.g. to get expert advice, to find local events, to showcase their work) Mobile: Adapt your desktop sketch for a mobile phone screen. How would the layout stack? What elements might be hidden or rearranged to optimise for a smaller display? What is the main action you want users to take on the feed? (e.g. interact with posts, discover new content, share their own updates). 157