TikTok Added Feature
TikTok Added Feature
TikTok Added Feature
Making an easier way for aspiring creators to learn how to use TikTok and utilize its features.
Making an easier way for aspiring creators to learn how to use TikTok and utilize its features.
Making an easier way for aspiring creators to learn how to use TikTok and utilize its features.
Role
Role
Role
Researcher, Product Designer
Researcher, Product Designer
Researcher, Product Designer
Skills
Skills
Skills
User Research, Wireframing, Prototyping,
Usability Testing
User Research, Wireframing, Prototyping,
Usability Testing
User Research, Wireframing, Prototyping, Usability Testing
Tools
Tools
Tools
Whimsical, Figma
Whimsical, Figma
Whimsical, Figma
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
September - October 2025; 6 weeks
September - October 2025; 6 weeks
September - October 2025; 6 weeks
CONTEXT
CONTEXT
TikTok has become one of the most-used social media apps amongst users today due to its addicting short-form video format. With its algorithmically driven “For You” feed, the platform has become one of the most influential social media networks for content discovery and viral trends. Users engage with TikTok for entertainment, education, and community, while creators use it as a space to build audiences, share the content of their choice, and monetize this content through user engagement and brand deals.
TikTok has become one of the most-used social media apps amongst users today due to its addicting short-form video format. With its algorithmically driven “For You” feed, the platform has become one of the most influential social media networks for content discovery and viral trends. Users engage with TikTok for entertainment, education, and community, while creators use it as a space to build audiences, share the content of their choice, and monetize this content through user engagement and brand deals.
THE PROBLEM
THE PROBLEM
While TikTok has become very popular for posting all sorts of content, many users still hesitate to post due to a lack of confidence or knowledge about filming and editing. Tiktok's existing Creator Academy is hidden deep within the profile page, and its tutorials and articles are not tailored to the specific types of content a user may want to create. As a result, many users must look to other platforms such as Instagram or Youtube to find inspiration as well as tutorials that better fit what they're looking for. By improving and revitalizing TikTok's Creator Academy, the platform can lower the barrier to entry for new creators and increase overall engagement. With this problem statement I mind, I framed my design challenge within the following HMW question:
How might we help frequent TikTok watchers or those brand new to the app who are interested in creating videos but lack editing knowledge or confidence, feel more empowered to post content?
While TikTok has become very popular for posting all sorts of content, many users still hesitate to post due to a lack of confidence or knowledge about filming and editing. Tiktok's existing Creator Academy is hidden deep within the profile page, and its tutorials and articles are not tailored to the specific types of content a user may want to create. As a result, many users must look to other platforms such as Instagram or Youtube to find inspiration as well as tutorials that better fit what they're looking for. By improving and revitalizing TikTok's Creator Academy, the platform can lower the barrier to entry for new creators and increase overall engagement. With this problem statement I mind, I framed my design challenge within the following HMW question:
How might we help frequent TikTok watchers or those brand new to the app who are interested in creating videos but lack editing knowledge or confidence, feel more empowered to post content?
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
To better understand what aspiring creators would like to see in TikTok’s Creator Academy—and which formats would make these tutorials most effective—I employed the following 2 research methods:
To better understand what aspiring creators would like to see in TikTok’s Creator Academy—and which formats would make these tutorials most effective—I employed the following 2 research methods:
Preliminary Research
Preliminary Research
This included exploring TikTok’s existing Creator Academy to evaluate its structure, accessibility, and content. Additionally, I performed a competitor analysis of platforms that offer video tutorials, like YouTube and Skillshare, to identify patterns on what users enjoy and dislike.
This included exploring TikTok’s existing Creator Academy to evaluate its structure, accessibility, and content. Additionally, I performed a competitor analysis of platforms that offer video tutorials, like YouTube and Skillshare, to identify patterns on what users enjoy and dislike.
User Interviews
User Interviews
I conducted interviews with a diverse range of participants. This included avid TikTok viewers, semi-regular posters, and individuals who use the platform only occasionally. Speaking with users across this spectrum provided insight into varying levels of familiarity with content creation, as well as the types of guidance and support that potential creators may find most useful.
I conducted interviews with a diverse range of participants. This included avid TikTok viewers, semi-regular posters, and individuals who use the platform only occasionally. Speaking with users across this spectrum provided insight into varying levels of familiarity with content creation, as well as the types of guidance and support that potential creators may find most useful.
RESEARCH SYNTHESIS
RESEARCH SYNTHESIS
I conducted a competitor analysis of YouTube, Skillshare, and TikTok’s existing Creator Academy to explore how different video formats affected user learning.
I conducted a competitor analysis of YouTube, Skillshare, and TikTok’s existing Creator Academy to explore how different video formats affected user learning.
This analysis focused on how each platform delivers tutorials, organizes educational content, and supports users who want to learn new creative skills.
This analysis focused on how each platform delivers tutorials, organizes educational content, and supports users who want to learn new creative skills.
Strengths
Strengths
YouTube has an extensive library of video tutorials that allow users to quickly find all sorts of content, while Skillshare offers structured, step-by-step lessons. TikTok’s Creator Academy helps creators understand TikTok’s tools, features, and best practices.
YouTube has an extensive library of video tutorials that allow users to quickly find all sorts of content, while Skillshare offers structured, step-by-step lessons. TikTok’s Creator Academy helps creators understand TikTok’s tools, features, and best practices.
Weaknesses
Weaknesses
YouTube’s vast amount of content means that users can feel overwhelmed or get sidetracked, while Skillshare’s longer, course-based format may not appeal to users seeking quick tutorials. TikTok’s Creator Academy is difficult to discover within the app and relies heavily on written content that is not personalized.
YouTube’s vast amount of content means that users can feel overwhelmed or get sidetracked, while Skillshare’s longer, course-based format may not appeal to users seeking quick tutorials. TikTok’s Creator Academy is difficult to discover within the app and relies heavily on written content that is not personalized.
I then gathered the key takeaways that emerged from user interviews:
I then gathered the key takeaways that emerged from user interviews:
Many viewers on TikTok may not post content due to feeling like they have nothing interesting to post
Many viewers on TikTok may not post content due to feeling like they have nothing interesting to post
Tutorials created by experienced creators could help address this issue by showing that successful content does not always need to be highly eventful or action-packed. By showcasing examples of everyday, relatable content, these tutorials could encourage users to feel more confident sharing their own experiences.
Tutorials created by experienced creators could help address this issue by showing that successful content does not always need to be highly eventful or action-packed. By showcasing examples of everyday, relatable content, these tutorials could encourage users to feel more confident sharing their own experiences.
Most participants use TikTok primarily for entertainment and relaxation, not serious content creation
Most participants use TikTok primarily for entertainment and relaxation, not serious content creation
Tutorials should appeal to both casual and aspiring creators. A way to filter between the types of videos that people want to create could be a good way to do this while also inspiring users to create their own videos.
Tutorials should appeal to both casual and aspiring creators. A way to filter between the types of videos that people want to create could be a good way to do this while also inspiring users to create their own videos.
YouTube and learning through trial and error are the most popular ways to learn
YouTube and learning through trial and error are the most popular ways to learn
Suggests that a lot of people prefer quick tutorials due to a short attention span or wanting to not waste time. Users tend to favor tutorials that get straight to the point.
Suggests that a lot of people prefer quick tutorials due to a short attention span or wanting to not waste time. Users tend to favor tutorials that get straight to the point.
These key takeaways and other patterns were consolidated into an affinity map:
These key takeaways and other patterns were consolidated into an affinity map:
IDEATION & MAPPING
IDEATION & MAPPING
With my research completed, the next step was to translate my findings into flows and designs.
With my research completed, the next step was to translate my findings into flows and designs.
I began this ideation phase by creating a few low-fidelity screens that would shape how I wanted to implement this added feature into an already-established application. I determined where I wanted this new and improved Creator Academy to be located within the profile page, as well as what users would see once they opened this feature.
I began this ideation phase by creating a few low-fidelity screens that would shape how I wanted to implement this added feature into an already-established application. I determined where I wanted this new and improved Creator Academy to be located within the profile page, as well as what users would see once they opened this feature.
This short task flow illustrates how users may navigate from the TikTok FYP to the Creator Academy.
This short task flow illustrates how users may navigate from the TikTok FYP to the Creator Academy.
HIGH-FIDELITY SCREENS
HIGH-FIDELITY SCREENS
Get started at Creator Academy in your profile!
Get started at Creator Academy in your profile!
Previously, the Creator Academy was hidden within TikTok Studio, which many users overlook as they assume it will offer no helpful guidance.
Previously, the Creator Academy was hidden within TikTok Studio, which many users overlook as they assume it will offer no helpful guidance.
See which tutorials are trending instantly.
See which tutorials are trending instantly.
As soon as users open the Creator Academy, they land on the homepage which includes trending tutorials, beginner's guides to TikTok, and helpful articles highlighting how to become a successful creator.
As soon as users open the Creator Academy, they land on the homepage which includes trending tutorials, beginner's guides to TikTok, and helpful articles highlighting how to become a successful creator.
Follow your favorite creators and discover new ones.
Follow your favorite creators and discover new ones.
Under the "For you" page, users are met with a collection of tutorials and profiles tailored to match their interests. Established creators can post tips and tricks they think their followers might appreciate!
Under the "For you" page, users are met with a collection of tutorials and profiles tailored to match their interests. Established creators can post tips and tricks they think their followers might appreciate!
Get inspired by seeing what others are up to.
Get inspired by seeing what others are up to.
Still unsure of what to create? The "Get inspired" page presents users with helpful tutorials as well as popular videos and trends.
Still unsure of what to create? The "Get inspired" page presents users with helpful tutorials as well as popular videos and trends.
REVISIONS
REVISIONS
To finish off my high-fidelity designs, I conducted a series of usability tests to ensure that users would be able to locate and navigate through the Creator Academy with ease and efficiency.
To finish off my high-fidelity designs, I conducted a series of usability tests to ensure that users would be able to locate and navigate through the Creator Academy with ease and efficiency.
Step-by-step walkthrough for the editing interface.
Step-by-step walkthrough for the editing interface.
The main priority revision that emerged from usability tests was to add step-by-step instructions to TikTok's editing interface. For first-time users, the interface can be confusing, as there is a lack of labels and clear instructions.
The main priority revision that emerged from usability tests was to add step-by-step instructions to TikTok's editing interface. For first-time users, the interface can be confusing, as there is a lack of labels and clear instructions.
LEARNINGS
LEARNINGS
This project was a fun and engaging journey, as it challenged me to think about how I could improve the functionality of a pre-existing app. There were a few times during the process where I wondered if there was any real need for an added feature like this, but that motivated me to dig deeper into user insights to find a comprehensive solution. If I had more resources and time to interview more subjects for this project, it would be very interesting to see what genres of content and tutorials users gravitate towards and the kinds of videos they want to produce.
This project was a fun and engaging journey, as it challenged me to think about how I could improve the functionality of a pre-existing app. There were a few times during the process where I wondered if there was any real need for an added feature like this, but that motivated me to dig deeper into user insights to find a comprehensive solution. If I had more resources and time to interview more subjects for this project, it would be very interesting to see what genres of content and tutorials users gravitate towards and the kinds of videos they want to produce.
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