Embracing Spontaneity and Accessible Design: Creating a Thriving Online Community

Embracing Spontaneity and Accessible Design: Creating a Thriving Online Community

Introduction:

In the ever-evolving landscape of the internet, two key elements have emerged as crucial for the success of next-generation social platforms: spontaneity and accessibility. These platforms have seamlessly blended humanity, immediacy, and rawness, offering users a refreshing online experience. Additionally, the importance of designing for immediacy and creating spaces for people to gather cannot be overstated. This article explores the significance of these elements, drawing insights from the concept of the "Spontaneous Internet" and a conversation with Dylan Field, the co-founder of Figma, a groundbreaking design tool.

The Spontaneous Internet: Bringing Serendipity Online

The concept of the Spontaneous Internet revolves around three core aspects: spontaneity, social connectivity, and rawness. These platforms aim to infuse our digital lives with the same serendipity and unpredictability we experience in the offline world. By incorporating these elements, they have successfully addressed the innate desire for more humanity and immediacy in our online interactions.

Designing for Immediacy: Figma's Journey

During a conversation with Dylan Field, the co-founder of Figma, he shed light on the importance of designing for immediacy and shared insights from Figma's journey. Initially, Figma's team believed that building a community for designers, similar to Dribbble, would be the ideal approach. However, they realized the need to prioritize profitability before creating a community. This "come for the tool, stay for the network" strategy proved instrumental in Figma's success.

Field emphasized the significance of launching early, as it not only generates excitement around the vision but also provides valuable feedback. While he acknowledged the desire to perfect the product before launch, he regretted not getting Figma to market sooner. Early launch enables the recruitment of talented individuals and accelerates the formation of a unique organizational culture.

Creating Spaces for Gathering: The Role of Online Communities

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of virtual spaces for gathering. Even within design tools like Figma, people have found innovative ways to connect, such as playing virtual games. This demonstrates the inherent need for online communities that foster collaboration, engagement, and a sense of belonging. As the internet continues to evolve, new apps will emerge, tackling old content types in novel ways, providing users with fresh spaces to hang out online.

Actionable Advice:

• 1. Embrace spontaneity and rawness: Incorporate elements that bring serendipity and humanity to your online platform, fostering a more engaging and lively user experience.

• 2. Design for immediacy: Prioritize launching your product early to generate excitement, gather feedback, and build a community around your vision. Remember, "come for the tool, stay for the network."

• 3. Create spaces for gathering: Recognize the inherent need for online communities where people can connect, collaborate, and find a sense of belonging. Offer unique features and experiences that encourage users to gather and interact within your platform.

Conclusion:

As the internet landscape continues to evolve, the demand for spontaneity, accessibility, and online gathering spaces remains paramount. The success of next-generation social platforms and design tools like Figma exemplifies the significance of incorporating these elements. By embracing spontaneity, designing for immediacy, and creating spaces for gathering, we can foster a thriving online community that fulfills our innate desire for connection and engagement.