Successfully designed the UX/UI of a
photo-editing app that went #1 within
12 hours of launch.

We partnered with Elsie and Emma, creators of the award-winning lifestyle blog "A Beautiful Mess" to create an end-to-end experience allowing users to customize photos with their signature style. At the time of release, this concept was one of the first to market.

Designed the UX/UI of a photo-editing app that went #1 within 12 hours of launch.

We partnered with A Beautiful Mess to create an end-to-end experience allowing users to customize photos with the signature 'A Beautiful Mess' style. At the time of release, this concept was one of the first to market.


This was my first app design and I was hooked.

Role

UX Design

UI Design

Interaction Design

Tools

Sketch

Photoshop

Paper + Pencil

Platforms

iOS

Android

Web

The Problem

Create an experience that would help their community easily personalize and share their photos with friends on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

The Solution

Design an app from scratch that allows users to emulate Elsie and Emma's style and form a connection to the brand. We did this by creating an experience that allows users to add filters, layers, text, and borders to a single photo, a collage, or a background texture.

Problem Space

There weren't any direct competitors offering the same thing at the time, but there was a sinking feeling that someone might create the exact thing you were developing. Moving as fast as possible was imperative, so we went straight to ideation and wireframing.

Ideation and Collaboration

Elsie and Emma had a clear vision of what they wanted their product to offer. I worked collaboratively with them to understand the concept. It was my task to determine how to execute the UX/UI. After the initial conversations, I worked with the head of product to create user flows; then, I sketched out wireframes to ensure the solution was aligned with the idea.


I built out the UI and worked with developers to create the end product, reviewing builds and running tests by Elsie, Emma, and the team.

Key Features

Give the user the ability to add layers of art designed by Elsie and Emma to a single photo, a collage, or a background texture.

Get Started

There are two user paths to start a session, a single image or a collage. For the collage a user taps on the empty space to add a photo.

There are two user paths to start a session, a single image or a collage. For the collage a user taps on the empty space to add a photo.

Layers

The next step invites users to add layers to the photo. We implemented tap-and-hold and pinching gestures as a way for users to move and/or resize the layers.

The next step invites users to add layers to the photo. We implemented tap-and-hold and pinching gestures as a way for users to move and/or resize the layers.

Color + Opacity

All layers are customizable. Users can swipe through a myriad of colors to add to the collage with the option of changing the opacity.

All layers are customizable. Users can swipe through a myriad of colors to add to the collage with the option of changing the opacity.

A new way to design

The experience of working with a team to create an app gave me a new way to design. I helped create something that was loved by people. It sparked in me an interest in how design can affect its users. The design didn't sit on a shelf it was carried around, providing a way for others to create beautiful things. It was a joy to play a part in their success—something I will never forget.



The app generated 1M paid downloads in a week, and remained a top 100 app for more than a year.