Context
Calcul8r began as a personal concept project exploring social media and was eventually built as part of Hacktober Fest NYC.
Role
I was the sole designer and developer on this project.
Like many others, I struggle with screen time on my phone. The problem I saw was that current social media has almost been optimized for addiction, and as a result it’s become increasingly difficult for users to do what early social media set out to encourage––that is, connecting and having fun with your real life friends.
With this project, I set out to accomplish a couple of things:
- 1. To call out the commercialization of social media
- 2. To evoke the absurdity of pre-algorithm social media platforms
- 3. To actually have fun with my friends
The idea was to create the world’s first (and probably last) social media calculator.
Calcul8r works like any other calculator app, with the key difference being that everytime someone hits “ = “, their ‘calculation’ is posted to a global feed, where friends and strangers can like and comment on your post.
Research
Process
While I felt comfortable about the design and front end of this project, this was my first time building out an authentication flow and a managed database. The sponsors of this particular hackathon happened to be Auth0 and DigitalOcean, and with a little guidance from on-site volunteers, I was finally able to conquer my backend development fears.
Outcomes + Future plans
Most social apps today function as sales funnels at best and/or insanely addictive distractions at worst. Calcul8r proudly accomplishes neither, instead offering a ‘digital rest stop’ for you and your friends to share a laugh.
Going forward, it could be interesting to lean into the idea of Calcul8r as a serious social media competitor. Some ideas include
- 1. an end of year wrapped that shows your most common calculations,
- 2. adding stories (because obviously), and
- 3. maybe even paywall-gating the number 8
