SENIOR CAPSTONE PROJECT
SLOW THE F* DOWN
A social media focused on building media literacy
DESIGN PROCESS
This project was the deepest I've researched on a subject for a design project. I spent hours watching and reading content about media literacy to figure out what would actually work. I used apps like Duolingo to see if a game would work. However the audience I want to reach aren't going out of their way to learn media literacy. They do however seek a social media that isn't infiltrated with AI. They want human, authentic content, and if there is AI they want it clear that it is. In a world of misinformation, AI, and fast news what we want as both creators and consumers is authentic, intentional, and fully thought out content This is why the app is called SLOW THE F* DOWN because that is what we want. This is where the chalk visuals came from as chalk is a physical, imperfect medium associated with education. It can be messy, but it's real and we are all nostalgic for a time where everything was slower, and we weren't on our phones all the time worried about the next news story.
APP
The app is made in dark mode, with a profile creation process that allows only people in, as it's a people-run app. It's why we called it SLOW THE F* DOWN. Not everything is posted instantly, so there is time to add notes and sources. Originally, I had a more glassy blue hue to it, and even had a timer to let you know how long you were on, but good sites shouldn't need timers. Plus, I saw a lot of researchers talk about the negative impact of social media, not time spent, but content seen.
Posters
I started with a single poster that was a call to action to download the app, and ended up with a series that helped people distinguish posts from real to mis/disinformation! As you read through it and get to the "how to spot" section the last
AI MADE POSTS
I played around with Nano Banana and Gemini to create posts. Sometimes it was quite challenging, as you must be so careful with your wording to make sure the AI produces exactly what you want. It was a good learning experience to see what I could and could not create. These programs do have barriers which was good to see that it would tell me that they wouldn't work with an image due to it's misinformation.
Gathered POSTS
Along with the AI made posts I went through Truth Social, X, Instagram, and Facebook to gather a variety of posts for my posters. Specifically I searched for examples of rage bait, propaganda, and AI made posts. Due to my own algorithm I was limited and had to create new accounts to find differing political view points. It was eye opening to say the least, and at times very depressing to see what is allowed to be posted especially on X where antisemitism has been rampant. I also found many scam AI accounts that Meta, when reported, refuses to do anything about. it However, through this I learned how to curate my own algorithm and follow creators who promoted good news, media literacy, and science.
COASTERS
I chose coasters as something that could be sold on the app as disposable, whether it's for parties or just conversational pieces when friends come over, as a passive but fun way to learn and become more media literate, something we desperately need today. As someone who is strongly for becoming more media literate I would use these while hosting a game night.
COmmercial
This is the advertising for SLOW THE F* DOWN that highlights the issues with social media today.
Educational Video
This is the advertising for SLOW THE F* DOWN that highlights the issues with social media today.
PROCESS BOOK
Thank you for reading this far, and if you skipped, I don't blame you. This is the best part here, with all the good research and how I got to making this all happen! See my logo process and inspiration.
COmmercial
This is the advertising for SLOW THE F* DOWN that highlights the issues with social media today.
Educational Social Media Video
This is the advertising for SLOW THE F* DOWN that highlights the issues with social media today.
Educational Social Media Video
This is the advertising for SLOW THE F* DOWN that highlights the issues with social media today.
PROCESS BOOK
Thank you for reading this far, and if you skipped, I don't blame you. This is the best part here, with all the good research and how I got to making this all happen! See my logo process and inspiration.
Thank you for reading this far, and if you skipped, I don't blame you. This is the best part here, with all the good research and how I got to making this all happen! See my logo process and inspiration.
PROCESS BOOK
SENIOR CAPSTONE PROJECT
SLOW THE F* DOWN
A social media platform focused on building media literacy
DESIGN PROCESS
This project was the deepest I've researched on a subject for a design project. I spent hours watching and reading content about media literacy to figure out what would actually work. I used apps like Duolingo to see if a game would work. However the audience I want to reach aren't going out of their way to learn media literacy. They do however seek a social media that isn't infiltrated with AI. They want human, authentic content, and if there is AI they want it clear that it is. In a world of misinformation, AI, and fast news what we want as both creators and consumers is authentic, intentional, and fully thought out content This is why the app is called SLOW THE F* DOWN because that is what we want. This is where the chalk visuals came from as chalk is a physical, imperfect medium associated with education. It can be messy, but it's real and we are all nostalgic for a time where everything was slower, and we weren't on our phones all the time worried about the next news story.
APP
The app is made in dark mode, with a profile creation process that allows only people in, as it's a people-run app. It's why we called it SLOW THE F* DOWN. Not everything is posted instantly, so there is time to add notes and sources. Originally, I had a more glassy blue hue to it, and even had a timer to let you know how long you were on, but good sites shouldn't need timers. Plus, I saw a lot of researchers talk about the negative impact of social media, not time spent, but content seen.
Posters
I started with a single poster that was a call to action to download the app, and ended up with a series that helped people distinguish posts from real to mis/disinformation! As you read through it and get to the "how to spot" section the last
AI MADE POSTS
I played around with Nano Banana and Gemini to create posts. Sometimes it was quite challenging, as you must be so careful with your wording to make sure the AI produces exactly what you want. It was a good learning experience to see what I could and could not create. These programs do have barriers which was good to see that it would tell me that they wouldn't work with an image due to it's misinformation.
Gathered POSTS
Along with the AI made posts I went through Truth Social, X, Instagram, and Facebook to gather a variety of posts for my posters. Specifically I searched for examples of rage bait, propaganda, and AI made posts. Due to my own algorithm I was limited and had to create new accounts to find differing political view points. It was eye opening to say the least, and at times very depressing to see what is allowed to be posted especially on X where antisemitism has been rampant. I also found many scam AI accounts that Meta, when reported, refuses to do anything about. it However, through this I learned how to curate my own algorithm and follow creators who promoted good news, media literacy, and science.
COASTERS
I chose coasters as something that could be sold on the app as disposable, whether it's for parties or just conversational pieces when friends come over, as a passive but fun way to learn and become more media literate, something we desperately need today. As someone who is strongly for becoming more media literate I would use these while hosting a game night.
COmmercial
This is the advertising for SLOW THE F* DOWN that highlights the issues with social media today.
Educational Social Media Video
This is the advertising for SLOW THE F* DOWN that highlights the issues with social media today.
PROCESS BOOK
Thank you for reading this far, and if you skipped, I don't blame you. This is the best part here, with all the good research and how I got to making this all happen! See my logo process and inspiration.
