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Ana Slater

Prof. Hughes

ENGL 106-Y06

14 September 2019

Instagram, a Never Ending Lense

Abstract: This project is based on the exploration and investigation of the reason for the

popularity and use of digital platforms. Specifically, researching on the design of the social

platform, other areas that characterize it, and the effect of these on users. A detailed observation

will be made about its functionality, design, influence on users and other areas.

Keywords​: social platform, innovative, Instagram, users, trend, algorithms

Introduction

We have all been part of a totally digital generation that does not live "in the moment".

Between selfies, feeds, tweets, posts and digital agendas, they live in a life completely full of

filters and "perfect" on a specific social platform, Instagram. Instagram was released to the

public in 2010. Reaching 150 million posted photos in 2011. Most people in our environment

have already heard of, know and use Instagram. But why has such a minimal application

become one of the most popular and innovative mobile applications?

Interactive User Interface Design

To begin, the design and structure of the Instagram mobile application was analyzed. The
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first immediate conclusion is that Instagram is a platform that has the purpose of using and

exploiting the uses of mobile camera technology. But beyond using all aspects of a mobile

camera for more than "selfies", one of the characteristics of the design and structure of this

platform is the use of a minimalist design in structure and use of colors. Instagram’s design

indicates a vicious circle that makes the user only use minimal movements to interact with the

application and its content. Beyond this, the beginning of the application where it summarizes all

the new content of the accounts that are followed by the users. At the same time, it is updated

immediately once the user pulls downward on the home screen, providing the user with even

more content. This in fact could be another subtle technique on the design with the purpose of

creating a sense of having to keep up with the world and not missing out on what’s new.

Thus, allowing to focus the minimalist style and structure of the platform to the content

that is of importance to its user. The same observation is made regarding the choice of colors

between "tabs" in the application, and especially the start tab. With such an attractive logo (see

Figure 1) that utilizes a range of warm colors, that refers to the Instagram approach, the use of

photos or camera. Surely the use of monochromatic colors once inside the application has a

purpose, which is to achieve total focus on user content and interactions with the application and

its white space. Instagram’s design has reduced design in order to follow the app engagement

trend described as (see Figure 2):

“these are the main characteristics that define this new trend: Clear headlines, Simple

universal icons, Extraction of color and Abundance of negative space. These minimalist

interfaces are being stripped right back to allow their content to become the focus for

users. Another thing it made me acutely aware of is that this style is almost impossible to
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replicate in apps that compete in the same space as users may find it difficult to

distinguish between brands. For instance, now that Apple Music has taken this approach

it’s almost impossible for Spotify to follow suit” (Mikael, A., 2016).

Figure 1: Instagram gradient logomark

Figure 2: Instagram’s app minimal design approach

Futuristic Features

It is known that technology and its elements is a field that continues to evolve. In effect,

these continuous changes are part of the day to day of the digital generation. Where the digital

space of the Instagram mobile application in its history has more than 100 versions and all that

are yet to be presented to the public. The most recent version is Instagram 110.0, updated on

September 9, 2019. With simple solutions with maintenance problems. However, this

maintenance is of importance as it helps to support features such as IGTV, Live, Stories,

Highlights, Stories Stickers, countdown timers, questions, music, poll, gif stickers, direct

messaging, stories swipe up function and among many other features (see Figure 3). Specific
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features such as IGTV and Instagram Stories have revolutionized the use of Instagram. Instagram

together with all the new features has become a social and marketing platform.

Features like IGTV have been implemented just like stories with the purpose of not only

sharing photo content but integrating live videos and long-term videos than an original post.

Thus allowing to establish even more creativity outside clever posts and captions. Instagram

includes multiple ways and tools for editing videos. Another one of the most popular features

according to the article entitled "Exploring Instagram Videos, Stories, Live and IGTV" by

Renderforest: "In 2016, Instagram launched its ‘Stories’ feature which is still very popular

among users. Moreover, it's become a very powerful marketing tool for brands. With Instagram

Stories, you can share your photos or videos with your followers which will disappear after 24

hours” (Renderforest). To later include the feature of saving part of an Instagram Story to the

user's personal feed by becoming "Highlights".

Figure 3: Stories stickers


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Trends & Masses

While this platform continues to make changes to its users. The platform evolves in the

field of marketing through new groups with influence and social presence in digital networks.

These are known as "influencers","vloggers" or “brand ambassadors”, a large audience that

monetizes their content on Instagram (or other platforms) through clients such as brands, services

and others.

“It’s clear that Instagram isn’t just for personal use anymore. It’s now a global platform

that allows brands to humanize their content, recruit new talent, showcase products, and

inspire their audience. Instagram users aren’t just active, they’re engaged. This photo and

video sharing app has quickly turned into a top social media site. More than half of the

platform’s active users visit the site daily, and 35% say they check it multiple times a

day. Instagram can also help you grow brand awareness and introduce products. 70% of

Instagram users have spent time looking up a brand on the platform. Instagram allows

you to promote your brand and product in a friendly, authentic way without hard selling

to your customers” (Collins, A., 2019).

Math for fame

Based off the previous information from trends and masses, such platform due to an

increase in the platform usage as implemented a higher usage of algorithms. For instance, an

algorithm is defined as ​a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other

problem-solving operations, especially by a computer. ​Algorithms that often helps those

accounts marked as “influencers” or another type of business, professional account. Users on this

platform have seen posts of "influencers" on how Instagram does not show content or posts that
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do not get much activity from the followers. Which has not been declared true or false, by said

platform.

However, Instagram uses algorithms to indicate the importance of a post to those who

monetize its content. On the other hand, there are ordinary followers who do not monetize their

content. These types of users are used under the algorithm to help Instagram recognize that it is

of importance or pleasure for its specific users. An example of this case would be a user who

often interacts with travel and destination content. Thanks to the engagement algorithm, the user

will be bombarded with even more content about their tastes, behavior, interaction, among other

qualities. Later's article entitled "This is How the Instagram Algorithm Works in 2019" stipulates

it as follows: “When Instagram first broke the news of the new algorithm last year, they

commented, ‘The order of photos and videos in your feed will be based on the likelihood you’ll

be interested in the content, your relationship with the person posting and the timeliness of the

post.’’

Hidden Collection

According to the webwise.ie article titled “Explained: What is Instagram?”. “​The app

allows for the creation of personal profiles but also can be connected to existing social

networking profiles such as Facebook and Twitter, meaning users can share their pictures across

platforms.” Therefore, if Instagram has implemented high use of algorithms to keep its users

committed to the platform. So this means that it does not stop said platform from using any

mechanism to collect all personal data, which identifies a user and monetizes said information.

Conclusions

Finally, based on this research, you can see how Instagram has managed to improve
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multiple areas, has implemented more attractive functions, among others. They have contributed

to its popularity and the user's engagement with the content that this platform presents. Not only

has it contributed to the user staying active with the content. On the other hand, it can be

concluded that the techniques of this platform are to keep the user connected or refreshing the

application every second for new content. The psychology learned behind the multiple areas of

expertise of this platform is to keep abreast of the new. Which, in effect, is of benefit to the

platform but not necessarily to the user.


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References:

Carbone, L. Later. (2019, June 7). This is How the Instagram Algorithm Works in 2019.

Retrieved from: https://later.com/blog/how-instagram-algorithm-works/

Collins, A. HubSpot. (2019). Instagram Marketing How to Create Captivating Visuals, Grow

Your Following, and Drive Engagement.

Retrieved from: https://www.hubspot.com/instagram-marketing

Mikael, A. Prototypr.io. (2016, October 27). The Rise of Minimalism in App Design.

Retrieved from: https://blog.prototypr.io/the-rise-of-minimalism-in-app

-design-91524d3fdf4b

Renderforest. (2019, March 7). Exploring Instagram Videos, Stories, Live, and IGTV.

Retrieved from https://www.renderforest.com/blog/instagram-videos-stories-IGTV


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Reflection

My experience with this project was excellent. Since we were able to choose the platform

that most interested us and above all which we understood most, which at the same time was the

most that I loved about this research. Also, we receive feedback on the subject quickly thanks to

the Professor. Which made us develop our ideas, and paper quickly. Therefore, during my

research I learned that Instagram has had many more updates in a year than we see on our phone.

Like how much psychology is involved in using the trend of a simple design to attract more

users. Both insurance findings impressed me since, something as simple as a design has a

strategic design for its benefit.

I consider that among my companions one had more in consideration the strength of my

details and arguments. While the other the most that I found strong was my introduction although

I notice that in his perspective I needed some small arrangements. As for your comments, I

consider that while Dylan was more precise and fair. Nicholas's comments were objective and

ambitious but did not help much in terms of improvements, since when he gave his perspective

on how to improve perhaps as he did his research under his paper it could have worked but with

my structure his ideas and vision on my style could have caused to have to change several parts

so that they would fit again. Which under my understanding leads me to think that while one

pointed out details and the strong areas of my research, the other under each part pointed out

endless improvements that did not quite qualify for my style. Under this tangent, I don't think

there was a similarity between both partners and their feedback styles.

According to the feedback received from my colleagues. Some of the elements that have
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been improved have been, having a heading in the correct format, removing the colon from my

title, as I had previously, to paraphrase some sentences that had been marked for improvement,

minor grammatical errors have been corrected. The headlines have been modified to all creatives

instead of having three creatives and two more monotonous. Therefore, based on these

improvements, my paper has gone through many hours of editing, proofreading and other

processes for the final result.

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