— for Board

Connecting Local Creators and Building a Product from ground up

My journey with "Board" began as a vision to centralize and amplify the voices of local artists and creatives, inspired by the dynamic underground art scene I witnessed in Seoul. This platform is my testament to the power of technology in bridging community gaps and fostering real-life connections.

Board is a platform, it's a community hub that brings together artists, designers, and enthusiasts, enabling them to discover and share the hidden gems of Toronto's cultural landscape. The essence of Board lies in its ability to offer a digital "neighbourhood" – a central point for creative networking, collaboration, and exploration. The platform, though currently in its pilot phase in Toronto, has the potential to be a model for other cities, embodying the spirit of local artistry and community collaboration.

Posting messages and publishing events are limited to invite-only verified users but anyone can download the app and attend events. Launching Board as an invite-only platform initially was a strategic decision. It allowed me to control the user experience closely, address bugs, and refine functions based on real-time feedback. This approach proved successful, as user feedback was overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing the need for such a platform in the creative community.

In developing Board, my approach was deeply rooted in user-centric design, driven by direct engagement and feedback from early users. Recognizing the importance of unbiased, authentic user perspectives, I employed a technique I call 'guerrilla testing'. This involved casually introducing Board in public settings to new acquaintances as an app I had recently discovered, rather than one I created. This strategy allowed me to gather honest feedback and insights, free from the biases that might arise if users knew I was the developer.

My interactions with users weren't just limited to these impromptu testing sessions. I continuously conducted usability tests, engaging with users to understand their needs, preferences, and pain points. This iterative process of testing and refining was vital in shaping Board into a platform that truly resonates with its audience.

To bring this vision to life, I developed the Agora Design System, a design framework crafted with precision and a deep understanding of coding principles. Agora, meaning a gathering place in Ancient Greek, is emblematic of the platform's ethos. It's designed to be intuitive, user-friendly, and conducive to fostering community engagement.

My journey with Board wasn't limited by my primary role as a designer. Already equipped with iOS development skills, I utilized and expanded this knowledge throughout the app's development. Embracing a growth mindset, I've also begun exploring Android programming and web app development, ensuring that Board remains accessible and appealing to a broad audience, regardless of their preferred platform.

I've focused on helping creative people in my area meet and work together. I aimed to simplify the process of discovering local creatives. Additionally, organizing private events plays a crucial role in my mission, fostering a sense of community and social engagement among these talented creatives.

For Board's branding, I prioritized maintaining our unique identity. I realized that uniformity in visual style is crucial for brand recognition. To support this, I later developed a poster randomizer. This tool allows users to easily create on-brand posters, ensuring our distinctive aesthetic is consistently presented, which is vital for strengthening our brand's market presence.

Creating Board brought its share of complex challenges. A significant task was handling the diverse roles single-handedly. As I ventured into bug fixes, user interactions, marketing, and app development, it became clear that these tasks were consuming more time than the actual design and building work that I am passionate about.

Managing the technical aspects, especially as someone whose strength lies more in design than in engineering, often meant confronting and resolving unexpected technical issues. It was a learning experience, enhancing my problem-solving skills and understanding of app development intricacies.

However, the most enlightening part of this journey was realizing where my true professional joy lies. Despite the fulfillment of bringing Board to life, I found myself yearning for the collaborative energy of working within a team. This realization led me to the decision to shift my focus. I chose to pursue opportunities where I can contribute to a team, designing and building innovative products, while still maintaining a connection to Board as a side project.

Board is at a place where it can grow and where I can manage without me giving most of my time. It is a project born out of a deep-seated desire to connect and uplift communities, a passion fuelled by my experiences in cities like Seoul, Toronto, and Istanbul. Nevertheless, I take pride in what I've accomplished with Board, the connections forged, and the invaluable lessons learned. As I move forward, I carry these experiences into a new chapter, excited to join a team where I can apply my skills in design and development in a collaborative setting.

For more visit:

https://murathan.co/work1