Wandr
Social media app with “hiking” as metaphor for dynamic suggestion algorithm
2024
For: MIT 6.1040 Software Design
Role: Web Development
Overview
Wandr: Take a Step Beyond Echo Chambers
Wandr reimagines social media as a journey, where each user is an explorer navigating their consumption habits and discovering beyond their media echo chambers.
Upon signup, users can follow other "Wandrrs" and share a variety of media, including text, photos, short videos, and audio clips, as well as comment on posts. In the main feed, each post can be flipped to reveal alternative viewpoints, encouraging users to broaden their understanding and easily access new content.
Users can customize the "flipped" content behind each flip by adjust their Step, determining how far each flip will take them within broader content category — whether opting for small, thoughtful steps in a similar direction or bold leaps into new, potentially contrasting territories.
Additionally, a summary feature tracks users' content consumption, providing insights into their behaviors and helping them reflect on their media habits. This encourages mindful engagement and inspires users to seek out fresh ideas.