🧠 The Challenge
Despite strong AI infrastructure, Shine’s initial version left users confused and hesitant. Key issues included:
Unclear mental model — Users didn’t understand how Streams, Suggestions, and Sharing worked together
Low trust in AI — No feedback, no transparency, just automation that felt like a black box
Fragmented actions — Tagging, approval, and sharing felt disconnected
Emotionally flat — The product lacked the warmth expected from something built for memories
Utility-first layouts, opaque AI flows, and enterprise-style invites made the experience feel like task management—not memory sharing.
🔍 Research Insights
We interviewed users and mapped out behaviors across real events like birthdays, trips, and school recitals. Our users wanted AI to help—but on their terms.
Top user needs:
Control over what’s shared
Clarity on what the AI is doing
Emotional resonance in flows
Personas:
Olivia (42) – Family archivist
Raj (35) – Group trip organizer
Maya (26) – The social snapper
✨ Vision
Transform Shine from a utility into a trusted, joyful space for private photo sharing:
Make AI feel helpful—not creepy
Create a clear flow from tagging to sharing
Add human warmth to tech-powered interactions
⚙️ Design Process
1. Emotional Onboarding
To build early trust and connection, I redesigned onboarding to feel personal, warm, and clear.
From expressive faces to social nudges, onboarding sets the tone for Shine’s value: reconnecting with people who matter.
2. Suggest > Confirm > Share Logic
We created a clear, repeatable loop that put the user in control.
AI suggests, users confirm. A simple model that builds clarity and trust.
3. Redesigned Sharing UX
Streams group moments into evolving threads
Face tagging = share intent, not just organization
AI Suggestions prompt lightweight contributions
Stream-Based Sharing
Photos now live in dynamic event-based Streams instead of static albums. These update over time and feel more like group chats—just with memories.
Streams evolve as people add photos—turning static albums into living memories
Face Tagging = Share Intent
Tagging someone’s face = sharing with them. This mental model helped reduce steps and build confidence.
AI Suggestions = Smart Nudges
AI clusters unshared photos based on date, location, and faces—then gently prompts users to share.
Suggestions surface just the right photos to share—based on smart clusters.
4. Say Hi and Social Touches
Subtle delight makes the difference:
Welcome cards when friends join
Tagging stats and sharing milestones
We added social momentum without chasing vanity metrics.
5. App Clip Entry (Shipped) + Shared Camera (Exploration)
App Clip launched as a frictionless way to contribute. Shared Camera was an approved concept that turned photo-taking into a real-time, collaborative moment.
App Clip Entry for Events
Friends can join a Shine stream, take photos, and contribute instantly through an App Clip—no download required.
App Clip lets anyone join a group photo stream in seconds—ideal for spontaneous moments.
Shine V4 Prototypes
I also designed a future version (v4), prototyping Shared Camera, face/location filters, and story-style highlights. These features were approved for roadmap but not launched due to shifting priorities.
Exploratory prototype: auto-curated highlights and real-time group capture designed to feel like a personal event photographer.
📈 Outcomes
+48% tag-to-share completion (fewer drop-offs)
-35% onboarding drop-off (clearer, friendlier flows)
Increased trust in AI suggestions (more shared streams)
Shared Camera + App Clip approved for future release
🌟 User Feedback
Shine now averages 4.5⭐ across 189 reviews, with recurring praise for:
AI-powered tagging & clustering
Streamlined photo sharing
Auto albums & intuitive onboarding
Users call Shine a ‘game-changer’ for family events, friend groups, and everyday memories.
🧠 Reflection
This project challenged me to design AI-powered features that feel personal, warm, and trustworthy. I learned how to:
Translate user hesitations into clear UX systems
Build emotional value into utility-first tasks
Balance vision work with shipping priorities
Even features that didn’t launch shaped the roadmap—and continue to guide Shine’s evolution today.