Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Ana Slater
Prof. Hughes
ENGL 106-Y06
14 September 2019
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.
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
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
“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).
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
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
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.
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
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
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
References:
Carbone, L. Later. (2019, June 7). This is How the Instagram Algorithm Works in 2019.
Collins, A. HubSpot. (2019). Instagram Marketing How to Create Captivating Visuals, Grow
Mikael, A. Prototypr.io. (2016, October 27). The Rise of Minimalism in App Design.
-design-91524d3fdf4b
Renderforest. (2019, March 7). Exploring Instagram Videos, Stories, Live, and IGTV.
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
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