Project: Partner Project
Role: Product Designer
Skills: User Research, Interaction Design, Prototyping
Tools: Figma, FigJam
Asynchronous preference collection that gives party leaders confidence and all members a voice, without requiring a discussion
Problem
Group planning for hangouts has a hidden imbalance: 1-2 "leaders" carry the decision-making burden while "followers" stay silent - even when they care about the outcome. Leaders feel pressure without input, followers want to contribute but not commit.
Solution
Corner Jam is a feature concept for Corner (a social discovery app). It collects preferences asynchronously via a <1 minute form, then surfaces "party scores" showing which spots match the group's taste.
Impact
Full group input (vs 20-30% in group chats)
Asynchronous preference form removes barriers to participation
<1 minute per person
6 inputs, no app download required
Eliminating the "down for anything" paradox
Followers contribute without the pressure of making decisions
Data-backed confidence for leaders
Party scores replace guesswork
Research
We interviewed 6 people (3 leaders, 3 followers) to better understand this dynamic and where it breaks down
People don't contribute, yet still critique the plans if they don't like them.
Emilio, leader
Leaders…
Initiate Plans
Feel pressure to "get it right"
Want everyone's input but don't always get it
I'd like to share some preferences. I'd rather not be the one who decides though.
Aurora, follower
Followers…
Have hidden preferences
Say "anything's fine" but care about the outcome
Don't want to make the final call, or have too much influence
How might we ensure that everyone’s preferences are represented fairly, regardless of their willingness or ability to voice them?
How Corner Jam Works
For Followers
Receive a link (no app required)
Pick a vibe from image tiles
Set logistical preferences
Submit (<1 minute total)
Only 6 visual inputs. Works on any browser, and no Corner account is required to participate.
For Leaders
Tap the party icon on map
Choose the category of activity
Invite friends via app or share sheet
Watch responses roll in
Browse with party scores
Scores show group fit at a glance based on aggregated preferences from the form. Updates live as people respond.
Design Decisions
Asynchronous instead of a real-time interaction
Followers don't always contribute in group-chats. This isn't because they don't care; a real-time discussion is often more demanding than we'd like. Private, asynchronous contribution removes that social pressure.
Link-based with no barriers
Requiring that all participants are Corner users would add unnecessary friction. A web form means that anyone can participate in less than 60 seconds.
Visual inputs
Image tiles for vibe preferences are faster than reading options and better capture the emotional quality leaders told us they needed.
One button to start a party, and minimal UI changes
We reverse-engineered Corner's design language (without access to their design system) to make Corner Jam feel native.
Validation
Concept validation against research insights
Insight | Solution |
|---|---|
Leaders want input but don't get it | Asynchronous form enables full group input |
Followers have hidden preferences | Private form removes decision pressure |
Decision burden isn't shared | Party scores shifts the process away from guesswork |
If shipped, we'd measure:
% of invited followers who complete the form (target: >70%)
Time to complete form (target: <60 seconds)
Post-hangout satisfaction (did using Corner Jam lead to better outcomes?)
Reflection
Designing for user types rather than forcing one system on all users
The leader/follower dynamic is a natural part of our social personalities. We designed some structure into what was already happening, rather than trying to change the dynamic.
Research-driven design from initial interviews
Without user testing, we had to validate our design decisions through our initial interviews. Every decision tied directly back to those insights. Next time, I'd define specific benchmarks for success so we'd know if our assumptions were right.
Finding impact through small design changes
We added one button, one overlay, and one form. The best features feel like they were always there!