CASE STUDY O1 - UI/UX in Action: Evaluating

Facebook Application

1. Business and App Overview

a. Business and Purpose of the App

Facebook, owned by Meta, is one of the world's largest social media platforms,
designed to facilitate communication, networking, and content sharing. It serves as a
digital space where individuals, businesses, and communities interact through posts,
comments, likes, calls and direct messaging.

Over the years, Facebook has evolved from a simple networking site to a multi-
functional platform integrating entertainment, business tools, and community
engagement. It provides features such as Facebook Marketplace for e-commerce,
Groups for discussions, and Messenger for instant communication.

b. Target Audience and Goals

Facebook is used by a diverse user base, including individuals, businesses, and

organizations. The primary demographic ranges from 18 to 65+. With billions of users
worldwide, Facebook attracts different groups:

 Individuals: For social networking, staying updated with trends, and engaging
with friends.
 Businesses: For digital marketing, customer engagement, and online sales.
 Communities: For organizing events, discussions, and awareness campaigns

Primary goals of the Facebook Application

 Social networking and communication through posts, messaging, and video calls.
 Enable content sharing, including text, images, videos, and live streams.
 Support businesses with advertising tools, brand pages, and Marketplace.
 Enhance community engagement through Facebook Groups, Events, and public
discussions.
c. App Design Overview: Color Scheme, Icons, and Design Layout
Color Scheme: Facebook primarily uses a blue and white theme, symbolizing trust
and professionalism. The color blue is known for promoting a sense of calmness and
reliability, which aligns with Facebook’s role as a global communication platform.

Icons: Facebook employs simple and recognizable icons for easy navigation. App
uses clear icons and colors for easy navigation. These are common icons used:
 Home (for the main news feed)
 Notifications (for updates and interactions)
 Messages (for direct communication)
 Profile (for personal account management)
 Settings (for user preferences and privacy controls)

 Design Layout: The app follows a structured, clean interface that prioritizes
usability. The homepage consists of an interactive feed, while top/bottom navigation
bars provide quick access to key features. The layout maintains consistent spacing
and visual hierarchy, ensuring an intuitive experience for users.

2. Features of the Application:

a. Key Features and Functionalities
Facebook continuously updates its features to enhance user experience, making the
platform more interactive, reels and engaging. These include News Feed,
Messenger, Stories, Reactions, and Groups/Pages for better interaction, instant
messaging, temporary content, and engagement with personal and business
interests.
 News Feed: Users see posts from friends, pages, and groups via an algorithm.
 Messenger: Separate chat application for instant messaging.
 Stories: Temporary content visible for 24 hours, enhancing engagement.
 Reactions: Interactive engagement through likes, emojis, and comments.
 Groups and Pages: Users can join groups or follow pages related to businesses
or personal interests
3. Missing Features of the Application
Improvements include enabling post scheduling for all users, adding offline browsing
for past posts, and allowing customizable dark mode for better accessibility and user
comfort.
a) Post Scheduling for Personal Accounts:
 Issue: Only business pages can schedule posts.
 Impact: Individual users miss out on planned content sharing.
 Solution: Allow post scheduling for all users.

b) Offline Mode for Browsing Previous Posts:

 Issue: No offline browsing for previously loaded content.
 Impact: Users with limited internet access cannot revisit past posts.
 Solution: Implement a cache-based offline browsing feature.

c) Dark Mode Customization:

 Issue: Although Facebook offers dark mode, it lacks customization options.
 Impact: Users with visual sensitivity or preferences for different color contrasts
might find it uncomfortable.
 Solution: Allow users to adjust darkness levels, like Twitter’s dark mode
variations.

4. Recommendations for Improvement

Proposals include customizable navigation for easier access, an AI assistant for
content discovery, and animated reactions for better expression, aiming to improve
usability, engagement, and user satisfaction
a) Simplified Navigation & Menu Customization:
 Allow users to arrange shortcuts in the navigation bar.
 Justification: Enhances usability and efficiency for different user needs.
b) Interactive AI Assistant for Content Discovery:
 Introduce an AI chatbot to suggest posts, groups, and friends.
  Justification: Enhances engagement and helps users discover relevant content
faster.
c) More Engaging Reaction Options:
 Introduce animated reactions for better emotional expression.
 Justification: Increases interaction and user satisfaction.

5. Summary and Predictions

Facebook’s UI/UX is strong but could benefit from features like customizable dark
mode, more engaging reaction options and post scheduling. Future trends include AI,
VR/AR integration, enhancing engagement, usability, and user satisfaction.

Findings Summary
 Facebook’s UI/UX is strong, providing a structured layout with intuitive
navigation.
 The platform effectively integrates social networking, business, and
entertainment.
 Missing features such as customizable dark mode, post scheduling for personal
accounts and reaction engagement will refine user satisfaction.
Predictions Summary
1. Future Design Trends: Facebook will likely adopt more AI-driven
personalization and VR/AR features for immersive experiences.
2. Impact of UI/UX on Usability: Continuous improvements in design will ensure
higher engagement, accessibility, and user retention.
3. User Satisfaction Influence: A refined UI/UX approach will create a seamless
and visually appealing experience, increasing user loyalty.

Final Thought

Facebook’s UI/UX team plays a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth and engaging
experience. By addressing missing features and improving existing functionalities, the
platform can enhance user interaction, accessibility, and long-term engagement.