Enhancing Creator Discovery on Patreon
Enhancing the content discovery experience on Patreon to boost user engagement, increase content creator support, and drive overall platform growth.
Try it out, pick a path and explore!
Enhancing Creator Discovery on Patreon
Enhancing the content discovery experience on Patreon to boost user engagement, increase content creator support, and drive overall platform growth.
Try it out, pick a path and explore!
My Role
UX/UI Designer
Tasks
Research
Wireframing
Prototyping
Usability Test
Tools
Figjam
Figma
Google Forms
Dovetail
Maze
Project
Memorisely Bootcamp
My Role
UX/UI Designer
Tasks
Research
Wireframing
Prototyping
Usability Test
Tools
Figjam
Figma
Google Forms
Dovetail
Maze
Project
Memorisely Bootcamp
I redesigned the onboarding and discovery experience on Patreon to make it easier for new patrons to find and support creators. This involved personalizing recommendations, refining search tools, and improving content organization, leading to a more intuitive and engaging journey.
I redesigned the onboarding and discovery experience on Patreon to make it easier for new patrons to find and support creators. This involved personalizing recommendations, refining search tools, and improving content organization, leading to a more intuitive and engaging journey.
Design Thinking
I applied the Design Thinking process—discover, define, ideate, prototype, and test—to improve content discovery and onboarding on Patreon. Through user research, I identified key challenges, refined solutions into actionable features, and tested them to ensure a seamless and engaging experience. This user-centered approach makes it easier for users to discover and connect with creators.
Jump to section…
Jump to section…
Discover
Test
Design Thinking
I applied the Design Thinking process—discover, define, ideate, prototype, and test—to improve content discovery and onboarding on Patreon. Through user research, I identified key challenges, refined solutions into actionable features, and tested them to ensure a seamless and engaging experience. This user-centered approach makes it easier for users to discover and connect with creators.
Jump to section…
Jump to section…
Discover
Test
Problem statement
As I explored Patreon’s discovery process, I noticed a major challenge—finding new creators largely depends on a basic search bar, making it harder for patrons to explore beyond those they already know. This limits visibility for emerging creators and reduces the chances of organic discovery.
With this challenge in mind, I started thinking about how a more engaging discovery experience could make a difference…
Hypothesis
I believe that a personalized onboarding experience combined with better search and filtering tools can make discovering creators more intuitive and enjoyable. By making it easier for patrons to find content that truly resonates with them, Patreon can improve engagement and help more creators thrive.
User segment
To validate this idea I focused on new and existing patrons who want to explore and support creatives across different genres—even if they don’t have a specific creator in mind yet.
Discover
Discover
Research Goals
Through interviewing 5 people, I aim to understand the following about the user:
How users navigate and interact with other platforms to search for content.
Their motivations, behaviors, preferences, and challenges during the content discovery process.
The features and tools they find most valuable on the platforms they frequently use.
Key factors influencing their decisions to follow, support, and subscribe to content creators.
Research Synthesis
I structured the collected data into key categories, mapped patterns through an affinity diagram, and synthesized the most valuable insights to inform design decisions.
Liked and Followed Content: Exploring Hobbies and Interests with Educational or Entertaining Media
Interest in a mix of educational and entertaining media.
Users' preferences for content that aligns with hobbies and interests.
Liked features on platforms: Users Value Visual, Informative, and Personalized Experiences
Preference for visual platforms like TikTok and YouTube with engaging thumbnails.
Appreciation for personalized suggestions driven by algorithms.
Favoring quick and efficient keyword searches.
Valuing informative, in-depth, and diverse content.
Desired Features in Platforms: The Need for Relevant, Refined, and Accessible Content
Demand for improved algorithms offering refined, relevant, and focused content.
Interest in diverse and summarized content formats.
Preference for easy and quick input modes, such as voice search and keywords.
Interactivity with Creators: Mixed Views on Engagement and Its Importance
Some users consider occasional interaction with creators sufficient.
Others do not find interactivity with creators to be a major factor.
Interactivity with Creators: Mixed Views on Engagement and Its Importance
Some users consider occasional interaction with creators sufficient.
Others do not find interactivity with creators to be a major factor.
Pain Points in Discovery and Content Exploration: Challenges with Accessibility and Relevance
Difficulties finding content that matches specific interests.
Frustration with lack of discoverability and accessibility.
Subscription Services – The Value of Variety, Niche Knowledge, and Career Growth
Users are more likely to subscribe to platforms offering multiple creators of interest to avoid boredom, similar to streaming services.
Preference for consolidated platforms, reducing fragmentation caused by multiple subscriptions.
Value content that supports career growth or financial gain, such as stock footage, niche knowledge, or industry-specific fundraising platforms.
Specialized subscription services in financial markets or other professional fields attract certain users.
Personalization and Customization: The Importance of Relevant Suggestions and Specific Searches
Users prioritize receiving tailored suggestions based on their interests.
A specific and refined search process is crucial to discovering high-quality content.
Research Goals
Through interviewing 5 people, I aim to understand the following about the user:
How users navigate and interact with other platforms to search for content.
Their motivations, behaviors, preferences, and challenges during the content discovery process.
The features and tools they find most valuable on the platforms they frequently use.
Key factors influencing their decisions to follow, support, and subscribe to content creators.
Research Synthesis
I structured the collected data into key categories, mapped patterns through an affinity diagram, and synthesized the most valuable insights to inform design decisions.
Liked and Followed Content: Exploring Hobbies and Interests with Educational or Entertaining Media
Interest in a mix of educational and entertaining media.
Users' preferences for content that aligns with hobbies and interests.
Liked features on platforms: Users Value Visual, Informative, and Personalized Experiences
Preference for visual platforms like TikTok and YouTube with engaging thumbnails.
Appreciation for personalized suggestions driven by algorithms.
Favoring quick and efficient keyword searches.
Valuing informative, in-depth, and diverse content.
Desired Features in Platforms: The Need for Relevant, Refined, and Accessible Content
Demand for improved algorithms offering refined, relevant, and focused content.
Interest in diverse and summarized content formats.
Preference for easy and quick input modes, such as voice search and keywords.
Interactivity with Creators: Mixed Views on Engagement and Its Importance
Some users consider occasional interaction with creators sufficient.
Others do not find interactivity with creators to be a major factor.
Interactivity with Creators: Mixed Views on Engagement and Its Importance
Some users consider occasional interaction with creators sufficient.
Others do not find interactivity with creators to be a major factor.
Pain Points in Discovery and Content Exploration: Challenges with Accessibility and Relevance
Difficulties finding content that matches specific interests.
Frustration with lack of discoverability and accessibility.
Subscription Services – The Value of Variety, Niche Knowledge, and Career Growth
Users are more likely to subscribe to platforms offering multiple creators of interest to avoid boredom, similar to streaming services.
Preference for consolidated platforms, reducing fragmentation caused by multiple subscriptions.
Value content that supports career growth or financial gain, such as stock footage, niche knowledge, or industry-specific fundraising platforms.
Specialized subscription services in financial markets or other professional fields attract certain users.
Personalization and Customization: The Importance of Relevant Suggestions and Specific Searches
Users prioritize receiving tailored suggestions based on their interests.
A specific and refined search process is crucial to discovering high-quality content.
Key Findings
I looked into what users value most in search and subscriptions to understand what keeps them engaged. Their preferences highlight ways to make content discovery on Patreon more seamless and personalized.
What Users Value Most in Search Features
Users value features from established platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch that enhance their overall experience.
Effortless Search: Users appreciate a search experience that is easy, accurate, and fast.
Personalized Content: Relevant and tailored recommendations resonate strongly with users.
Content Variety: Multiple creators offering entertaining or educational content motivate users to subscribe.
Visual and Summarized Media: Concise, visually engaging content is highly valued.
Subscription Behavior and Motivations
Subscription Conditions: Long-term value and diverse content are crucial for users considering a subscription. Access to different content creators also plays a significant role in the decision-making process.
Subscription Habits: Users often subscribe to platforms offering various entertainment options with multiple creators or focused educational/informative content from specific creators.
Key Findings
I looked into what users value most in search and subscriptions to understand what keeps them engaged. Their preferences highlight ways to make content discovery on Patreon more seamless and personalized.
What Users Value Most in Search Features
Users value features from established platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch that enhance their overall experience.
Effortless Search: Users appreciate a search experience that is easy, accurate, and fast.
Personalized Content: Relevant and tailored recommendations resonate strongly with users.
Content Variety: Multiple creators offering entertaining or educational content motivate users to subscribe.
Visual and Summarized Media: Concise, visually engaging content is highly valued.
Subscription Behavior and Motivations
Subscription Conditions: Long-term value and diverse content are crucial for users considering a subscription. Access to different content creators also plays a significant role in the decision-making process.
Subscription Habits: Users often subscribe to platforms offering various entertainment options with multiple creators or focused educational/informative content from specific creators.
Usability Audit
This audit evaluates key usability challenges on the Patreon platform, focusing on design consistency, navigation, content discovery, and the presentation of creator information.
Each of these issues impacts the usability, engagement, and discoverability of creators on Patreon. By addressing them through well-established interaction design principles and usability heuristics, Patreon can improve user satisfaction, increase content visibility, and enhance the creator-patron relationship.
Each of these issues impacts the usability, engagement, and discoverability of creators on Patreon. By addressing them through well-established interaction design principles and usability heuristics, Patreon can improve user satisfaction, increase content visibility, and enhance the creator-patron relationship.
Sources referenced for Principles
Jakob Nielsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics (1994) – Usability.gov
Ben Shneiderman’s 8 Golden Rules (1986) – University of Maryland, HCI Lab
Bruce Tognazzini’s First Principles of Interaction Design – Nielsen Norman Group
Don Norman’s Design Principles (1988) – The Design of Everyday Things
Usability Audit
This audit evaluates key usability challenges on the Patreon platform, focusing on design consistency, navigation, content discovery, and the presentation of creator information.
Each of these issues impacts the usability, engagement, and discoverability of creators on Patreon. By addressing them through well-established interaction design principles and usability heuristics, Patreon can improve user satisfaction, increase content visibility, and enhance the creator-patron relationship.
Each of these issues impacts the usability, engagement, and discoverability of creators on Patreon. By addressing them through well-established interaction design principles and usability heuristics, Patreon can improve user satisfaction, increase content visibility, and enhance the creator-patron relationship.
Sources referenced for Principles
Jakob Nielsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics (1994) – Usability.gov
Ben Shneiderman’s 8 Golden Rules (1986) – University of Maryland, HCI Lab
Bruce Tognazzini’s First Principles of Interaction Design – Nielsen Norman Group
Don Norman’s Design Principles (1988) – The Design of Everyday Things
Competitor Benchmark
Evaluation Approach
To analyze Ko-fi as a direct competitor, and Udemy and Kickstarter as indirect competitors to Patreon, I conducted a heuristic evaluation and a SWOT analysis of their content discovery experiences. These methods comprehensively understood the platforms' usability and strategic positioning.
This heuristic evaluation of these three platforms focuses primarily on three usability principles: Flexibility and Efficiency of Use, Aesthetic and Minimalist Design, and Consistency and Standards.
I chose these heuristics to assess how well the platform supports user navigation, delivers a visually appealing experience, and maintains uniformity across its interface. Additionally, the analysis aimed to identify strategies and design elements that could be implemented or avoided to enhance the Patreon platform, ensuring a more engaging and effective user experience.
Key Strengths
Personalized Recommendations
All three platforms use personalization to enhance content discovery. For example, Kickstarter offers "Recommended for You" categories, while Udemy suggests courses based on browsing history. These features cater to individual user preferences and create a sense of relevance, making the content feel tailored and engaging.
Visual Appeal and Simplicity
Competitors prioritize clean, visually appealing designs. Ko-fi stands out with its minimalist interface and organized categories, while Kickstarter highlights trending projects effectively. Udemy’s course pages balance aesthetics with functionality, presenting key information like ratings and duration upfront to aid decision-making.
Consistent Layouts for User Familiarity
Platforms like Udemy and Kickstarter maintain uniform layouts for their content pages, making it easier for users to navigate. This consistency supports efficient exploration and encourages trust in the platform's usability.
Flexibility in Discovery
Features such as Kickstarter’s “Just Launched” and “Projects Near You” categories, along with Ko-fi’s illustration-based categories, help users find content in various ways. These flexible discovery methods cater to both casual browsers and users with specific interests.
Key Weaknesses
Limited Filtering Options
Both Ko-fi and Kickstarter lack granular filters, which can hinder users who want to narrow down their searches more precisely. This is an opportunity for Patreon to provide advanced filtering options, including subcategories and multi-criteria searches.
Overwhelming Content Choices
While Udemy offers an extensive library, the sheer variety can overwhelm new users. Without proper onboarding or guided discovery tools, users may struggle to find relevant content. Patreon can address this by enhancing its onboarding process and offering curated suggestions early on.
Interactivity Gaps
While some users value interactivity with creators, the available options on competitors (e.g., commenting) are not compelling for all. This suggests Patreon could differentiate itself by fostering more meaningful creator-patron interactions, such as exclusive live streams, special events or collaborative workshops.
Opportunities For Patreon
Combine the personalization of Kickstarter and functionality of Udemy, with Ko-fi's simplicity and visual appeal to create an engaging discovery experience.
Address gaps in filtering and categorization by offering advanced tools, such as subcategories and multi-criteria search, to help users find creators that align with their interests.
Enhance the onboarding experience by guiding new users through curated suggestions and personalized content recommendations right after sign-up.
Differentiate through unique interactivity features, enabling creators to connect with their supporters in ways that go beyond commenting or passive consumption.
Competitor Benchmark
Evaluation Approach
To analyze Ko-fi as a direct competitor, and Udemy and Kickstarter as indirect competitors to Patreon, I conducted a heuristic evaluation and a SWOT analysis of their content discovery experiences. These methods comprehensively understood the platforms' usability and strategic positioning.
This heuristic evaluation of these three platforms focuses primarily on three usability principles: Flexibility and Efficiency of Use, Aesthetic and Minimalist Design, and Consistency and Standards.
I chose these heuristics to assess how well the platform supports user navigation, delivers a visually appealing experience, and maintains uniformity across its interface. Additionally, the analysis aimed to identify strategies and design elements that could be implemented or avoided to enhance the Patreon platform, ensuring a more engaging and effective user experience.
Key Strengths
Personalized Recommendations
All three platforms use personalization to enhance content discovery. For example, Kickstarter offers "Recommended for You" categories, while Udemy suggests courses based on browsing history. These features cater to individual user preferences and create a sense of relevance, making the content feel tailored and engaging.
Visual Appeal and Simplicity
Competitors prioritize clean, visually appealing designs. Ko-fi stands out with its minimalist interface and organized categories, while Kickstarter highlights trending projects effectively. Udemy’s course pages balance aesthetics with functionality, presenting key information like ratings and duration upfront to aid decision-making.
Consistent Layouts for User Familiarity
Platforms like Udemy and Kickstarter maintain uniform layouts for their content pages, making it easier for users to navigate. This consistency supports efficient exploration and encourages trust in the platform's usability.
Flexibility in Discovery
Features such as Kickstarter’s “Just Launched” and “Projects Near You” categories, along with Ko-fi’s illustration-based categories, help users find content in various ways. These flexible discovery methods cater to both casual browsers and users with specific interests.
Key Weaknesses
Limited Filtering Options
Both Ko-fi and Kickstarter lack granular filters, which can hinder users who want to narrow down their searches more precisely. This is an opportunity for Patreon to provide advanced filtering options, including subcategories and multi-criteria searches.
Overwhelming Content Choices
While Udemy offers an extensive library, the sheer variety can overwhelm new users. Without proper onboarding or guided discovery tools, users may struggle to find relevant content. Patreon can address this by enhancing its onboarding process and offering curated suggestions early on.
Interactivity Gaps
While some users value interactivity with creators, the available options on competitors (e.g., commenting) are not compelling for all. This suggests Patreon could differentiate itself by fostering more meaningful creator-patron interactions, such as exclusive live streams, special events or collaborative workshops.
Opportunities For Patreon
Combine the personalization of Kickstarter and functionality of Udemy, with Ko-fi's simplicity and visual appeal to create an engaging discovery experience.
Address gaps in filtering and categorization by offering advanced tools, such as subcategories and multi-criteria search, to help users find creators that align with their interests.
Enhance the onboarding experience by guiding new users through curated suggestions and personalized content recommendations right after sign-up.
Differentiate through unique interactivity features, enabling creators to connect with their supporters in ways that go beyond commenting or passive consumption.
Pattern Benchmark: Inspiration for Patreon's Onboarding
To design an effective onboarding and content discovery experience for Patreon, I analyzed various platforms that excel in user engagement and personalization. This benchmark includes insights from Medium, Ko-fi, Balance, TikTok, and Aura, focusing on how they introduce new users to content and creators.
Two key aspects I considered were:
The length of the onboarding process – Ensuring a balance between collecting useful user preferences and keeping the flow efficient.
Signup timing – Evaluating whether platforms require users to sign up at the beginning or after preferences have been collected, and how this impacts engagement.
Additionally, I studied established platforms like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube to understand their recommendation systems and how they personalize content to enhance user retention. These insights helped shape solutions that optimize Patreon’s content discovery experience while keeping users engaged.
Pattern Benchmark: Inspiration for Patreon's Onboarding
To design an effective onboarding and content discovery experience for Patreon, I analyzed various platforms that excel in user engagement and personalization. This benchmark includes insights from Medium, Ko-fi, Balance, TikTok, and Aura, focusing on how they introduce new users to content and creators.
Two key aspects I considered were:
The length of the onboarding process – Ensuring a balance between collecting useful user preferences and keeping the flow efficient.
Signup timing – Evaluating whether platforms require users to sign up at the beginning or after preferences have been collected, and how this impacts engagement.
Additionally, I studied established platforms like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube to understand their recommendation systems and how they personalize content to enhance user retention. These insights helped shape solutions that optimize Patreon’s content discovery experience while keeping users engaged.
Define
How Might We…
Enhance the ‘Find Creators’ experience to better showcase the diversity and variety of creators for both new and existing patrons?
To explore this core question, I created a mind map to identify key opportunities for improvement. This exercise helped pinpoint critical aspects of Patreon’s content discovery journey, drawing insights from the Usability Audit for Patreon and a competitive analysis of Ko-fi, Kickstarter, and Udemy.
My focus areas were divided into two main categories:
New Features to Add:
Onboarding experience for new patrons to guide discovery from the start
Enhancements to Improve:
Strengthening visual consistency across platform pages
Optimizing the patron homepage for better navigation and content exploration
Refining the creator’s page to highlight key information more effectively
These enhancements aim to create a more engaging and intuitive discovery experience, ensuring patrons can easily connect with creators who align with their interests and goals.
This mind map shows the improvements and additions planned for each page, section, and the onboarding experience.
How Might We…
Enhance the ‘Find Creators’ experience to better showcase the diversity and variety of creators for both new and existing patrons?
To explore this core question, I created a mind map to identify key opportunities for improvement. This exercise helped pinpoint critical aspects of Patreon’s content discovery journey, drawing insights from the Usability Audit for Patreon and a competitive analysis of Ko-fi, Kickstarter, and Udemy.
My focus areas were divided into two main categories:
New Features to Add:
Onboarding experience for new patrons to guide discovery from the start
Enhancements to Improve:
Strengthening visual consistency across platform pages
Optimizing the patron homepage for better navigation and content exploration
Refining the creator’s page to highlight key information more effectively
These enhancements aim to create a more engaging and intuitive discovery experience, ensuring patrons can easily connect with creators who align with their interests and goals.
This mind map shows the improvements and additions planned for each page, section, and the onboarding experience.
Key Features
To address the challenges identified in the usability audit and competitive analysis, I outlined a set of key features aimed at enhancing content discovery, improving user navigation, and ensuring a cohesive experience across the platform.
Personalized Content and Onboarding
Interactive Onboarding for New Patrons: Prompt members to specify their interests during signup, ensuring they see relevant creators immediately.
Customized Content for Patrons: Offer tailored recommendations based on user interests and preferences.
Follow Suggestions: Recommend creators during onboarding to help refine the algorithm and improve personalized recommendations on the homepage.
Advanced Search Tools and Features
Enhanced Search Bar: Include suggested keywords and topics for seamless navigation.
Additional Categories and Subcategories: Introduce main categories that double as filters and subcategories to emphasize the platform's diversity.
Refined Filtering Options: Introduce advanced filters for ratings, content types, creator interactivity, and other criteria to enhance search precision and streamline the discovery process.
Bundled Subscriptions: Introduce bundled packages combining tiers from multiple creators for added value.
Consistent and Intuitive Layout
Organized Display: Showcase creators in visually engaging sections with appealing, relevant headers.
Informative Creator Cards: Design cards with thumbnails, summaries, category icons, ratings, tags, and hover previews for an enhanced browsing experience.
Key Data Emphasis: Highlight crucial creator information prominently at the top of the page.
These enhancements aim to create a more engaging and intuitive discovery experience, ensuring patrons can easily connect with creators who align with their interests and goals.
Key Features
To address the challenges identified in the usability audit and competitive analysis, I outlined a set of key features aimed at enhancing content discovery, improving user navigation, and ensuring a cohesive experience across the platform.
Personalized Content and Onboarding
Interactive Onboarding for New Patrons: Prompt members to specify their interests during signup, ensuring they see relevant creators immediately.
Customized Content for Patrons: Offer tailored recommendations based on user interests and preferences.
Follow Suggestions: Recommend creators during onboarding to help refine the algorithm and improve personalized recommendations on the homepage.
Advanced Search Tools and Features
Enhanced Search Bar: Include suggested keywords and topics for seamless navigation.
Additional Categories and Subcategories: Introduce main categories that double as filters and subcategories to emphasize the platform's diversity.
Refined Filtering Options: Introduce advanced filters for ratings, content types, creator interactivity, and other criteria to enhance search precision and streamline the discovery process.
Bundled Subscriptions: Introduce bundled packages combining tiers from multiple creators for added value.
Consistent and Intuitive Layout
Organized Display: Showcase creators in visually engaging sections with appealing, relevant headers.
Informative Creator Cards: Design cards with thumbnails, summaries, category icons, ratings, tags, and hover previews for an enhanced browsing experience.
Key Data Emphasis: Highlight crucial creator information prominently at the top of the page.
These enhancements aim to create a more engaging and intuitive discovery experience, ensuring patrons can easily connect with creators who align with their interests and goals.
Ideate
Ideate
Design Principles
These key design principles guide the improvements to Patreon’s discovery and onboarding experience.
Personalization & Progressive Onboarding
Reduce cognitive load by recognition over recall—helping users easily find relevant content.
Use progressive disclosure to introduce features gradually, avoiding overwhelm.
Align with users' mental models by mirroring familiar recommendation systems like Netflix or YouTube.
Findability and Discoverability
Improve search efficiency with intuitive filters, categories, and tailored suggestions.
Enhance discoverability by surfacing relevant content dynamically based on user behavior.
Ensure a match between system and real-world language, making navigation intuitive.
Consistency & Visual Hierarchy
Maintain consistent design patterns across pages for a seamless user experience.
Apply clear hierarchy to prioritize key creator details and improve scannability.
Use aesthetic and minimalist design to create a visually appealing, user-friendly interface.
Design Principles
These key design principles guide the improvements to Patreon’s discovery and onboarding experience.
Personalization & Progressive Onboarding
Reduce cognitive load by recognition over recall—helping users easily find relevant content.
Use progressive disclosure to introduce features gradually, avoiding overwhelm.
Align with users' mental models by mirroring familiar recommendation systems like Netflix or YouTube.
Findability and Discoverability
Improve search efficiency with intuitive filters, categories, and tailored suggestions.
Enhance discoverability by surfacing relevant content dynamically based on user behavior.
Ensure a match between system and real-world language, making navigation intuitive.
Consistency & Visual Hierarchy
Maintain consistent design patterns across pages for a seamless user experience.
Apply clear hierarchy to prioritize key creator details and improve scannability.
Use aesthetic and minimalist design to create a visually appealing, user-friendly interface.
User flow
I created two user flows to enhance the content discovery experience on Patreon. These flows focus on simplifying how new users explore and engage with creators, ensuring an intuitive and personalized journey. Each flow addresses different stages of the user experience, from initial onboarding to discovering personalized creator recommendations, providing a seamless and engaging process throughout.
User flow
I created two user flows to enhance the content discovery experience on Patreon. These flows focus on simplifying how new users explore and engage with creators, ensuring an intuitive and personalized journey. Each flow addresses different stages of the user experience, from initial onboarding to discovering personalized creator recommendations, providing a seamless and engaging process throughout.
Prototype
Prototype
Wireframes
These early wireframes show the first version of the feature before refining the layout and user flow. As I iterated, I made key adjustments to improve usability, navigation, and information hierarchy.
Onboarding
Progressive Disclosure & Information Hierarchy: In the first version, key platform data appeared on separate screens early in onboarding. Later, I integrated this information into the loading state of personalized content, keeping users engaged while making the flow feel smoother and more compact.
User Page
Navigation & Layout Optimization: Initially, the patron page had a sidebar menu. To improve content hierarchy and usability, I moved navigation tabs into the main content area and used the sidebar to display favorite creators and memberships, ensuring quick browsing access.
Findability & Visual Hierarchy: Filter tools were first placed in the sidebar but were later moved to the center of the page. This change follows best practices in scanability and discoverability, making filters more visible and easier to use.
These iterations helped refine the experience by making the platform more intuitive, consistent, and user-friendly.
Onboarding
Discovering Content Creators
Wireframes
These early wireframes show the first version of the feature before refining the layout and user flow. As I iterated, I made key adjustments to improve usability, navigation, and information hierarchy.
Onboarding
Progressive Disclosure & Information Hierarchy: In the first version, key platform data appeared on separate screens early in onboarding. Later, I integrated this information into the loading state of personalized content, keeping users engaged while making the flow feel smoother and more compact.
User Page
Navigation & Layout Optimization: Initially, the patron page had a sidebar menu. To improve content hierarchy and usability, I moved navigation tabs into the main content area and used the sidebar to display favorite creators and memberships, ensuring quick browsing access.
Findability & Visual Hierarchy: Filter tools were first placed in the sidebar but were later moved to the center of the page. This change follows best practices in scanability and discoverability, making filters more visible and easier to use.
These iterations helped refine the experience by making the platform more intuitive, consistent, and user-friendly.
Onboarding
Discovering Content Creators
Styles & Components
I developed key styles and components to create a cohesive and visually appealing experience throughout the prototype. From typography to buttons and layout elements, each component was designed with usability and clarity in mind, ensuring consistency and ease of interaction for users across all stages of their journey.
Styles & Components
I developed key styles and components to create a cohesive and visually appealing experience throughout the prototype. From typography to buttons and layout elements, each component was designed with usability and clarity in mind, ensuring consistency and ease of interaction for users across all stages of their journey.
Solution
Onboarding for new users
This high-fidelity mochup streamlines onboarding to help new users find relevant creators effortlessly while increasing sign-ups by demonstrating value upfront.
Guided Onboarding – Users answer three quick questions about their interests, goals, and preferred content formats, following Recognition over Recall for intuitive choices.
Curated Recommendations – They receive personalized creator suggestions based on their answers, enhancing Findability and reducing effort.
Seamless Sign-Up – Users sign up after seeing value, following Progressive Disclosure to minimize friction.
Engaging Wait Time – While content is prepared, users see Patreon insights, applying Hick’s Law to make waiting feel effortless.
Personalized Homepage – Users land on a tailored Patreon page with recommended creators and exclusive content, ensuring Aesthetic & Minimalist Design for clarity and engagement.
This approach makes discovering and supporting creators effortless, engaging, and rewarding.
Enhanced Content Discovery
This solution improves how users find creators by offering multiple intuitive discovery paths, ensuring both Findability and Discoverability for a seamless experience:
Personalized Suggestions – Users receive tailored recommendations on their homepage based on their interests, reducing cognitive load and aligning with their mental models from platforms like Netflix or YouTube.
Curated Explore Page – Content is grouped into engaging collections with clear, relevant headers, following Hierarchy of Information to enhance scannability and guide exploration.
Smart Search Bar – Results are categorized into recent searches, creators, topics, and categories, improving Match Between System and the Real World by mirroring familiar search patterns.
Granular Filtering – Advanced filters let users refine searches by category, subcategory, content format, ratings, fees, and location, offering User Control & Freedom to tailor their discovery journey.
By combining personalization, structured exploration, and powerful search tools, this experience ensures discovering creators is effortless, engaging, and rewarding.
Solution
Onboarding for new users
This high-fidelity mochup streamlines onboarding to help new users find relevant creators effortlessly while increasing sign-ups by demonstrating value upfront.
Guided Onboarding – Users answer three quick questions about their interests, goals, and preferred content formats, following Recognition over Recall for intuitive choices.
Curated Recommendations – They receive personalized creator suggestions based on their answers, enhancing Findability and reducing effort.
Seamless Sign-Up – Users sign up after seeing value, following Progressive Disclosure to minimize friction.
Engaging Wait Time – While content is prepared, users see Patreon insights, applying Hick’s Law to make waiting feel effortless.
Personalized Homepage – Users land on a tailored Patreon page with recommended creators and exclusive content, ensuring Aesthetic & Minimalist Design for clarity and engagement.
This approach makes discovering and supporting creators effortless, engaging, and rewarding.
Enhanced Content Discovery
This solution improves how users find creators by offering multiple intuitive discovery paths, ensuring both Findability and Discoverability for a seamless experience:
Personalized Suggestions – Users receive tailored recommendations on their homepage based on their interests, reducing cognitive load and aligning with their mental models from platforms like Netflix or YouTube.
Curated Explore Page – Content is grouped into engaging collections with clear, relevant headers, following Hierarchy of Information to enhance scannability and guide exploration.
Smart Search Bar – Results are categorized into recent searches, creators, topics, and categories, improving Match Between System and the Real World by mirroring familiar search patterns.
Granular Filtering – Advanced filters let users refine searches by category, subcategory, content format, ratings, fees, and location, offering User Control & Freedom to tailor their discovery journey.
By combining personalization, structured exploration, and powerful search tools, this experience ensures discovering creators is effortless, engaging, and rewarding.
See how it works
Try the prototype of both experiences or take a seat and watch how it works!
🚀 Jump into onboarding
Test
Test
Usability Test
I conducted a moderated usability test of the prototype with six participants who have heard about Patreon but haven't used it before. I asked background questions prior the test and final questions to gather insights about their
Outcomes
Both prototypes received positive feedback, with all users describing the experience as simple and straightforward.
Testers also shared valuable insights on how the feature could better address their needs and enhance their overall experience.
Learnings
Running the usability test with a mid-fidelity prototype and placeholder content could make the process smoother, allowing for faster tweaks and improvements before the final version.
Users pointed out that seeing a preview of a creator’s content would help them better understand what’s being offered. Platforms like Netflix, Udemy, and Temu use this approach to boost discoverability and engagement.
Some testers suggested adding more creator recommendations during onboarding to showcase the platform’s variety and quality, making a stronger first impression and building user confidence.
To make Patreon more inclusive and accessible, supporting creators who publish in different languages—along with offering subtitles and translations—could help reach a wider, global audience.
Next steps
Redesign the event and post cards to make the user page more engaging. Consider adding real-time livestream cards to boost interaction and keep users engaged beyond commenting.
Refine creator pages to support all content types while maintaining a consistent layout. Adding more recommendations can encourage seamless content discovery without disrupting the user’s flow.
Since users value variety, introducing bundled subscriptions and creator collaborations could make the platform more dynamic and encourage long-term engagement.
Enhance onboarding by suggesting more creators to follow and adding a hover preview on creator cards for a quick content glimpse.
Usability Test
I conducted a moderated usability test of the prototype with six participants who have heard about Patreon but haven't used it before. I asked background questions prior the test and final questions to gather insights about their
Outcomes
Both prototypes received positive feedback, with all users describing the experience as simple and straightforward.
Testers also shared valuable insights on how the feature could better address their needs and enhance their overall experience.
Learnings
Running the usability test with a mid-fidelity prototype and placeholder content could make the process smoother, allowing for faster tweaks and improvements before the final version.
Users pointed out that seeing a preview of a creator’s content would help them better understand what’s being offered. Platforms like Netflix, Udemy, and Temu use this approach to boost discoverability and engagement.
Some testers suggested adding more creator recommendations during onboarding to showcase the platform’s variety and quality, making a stronger first impression and building user confidence.
To make Patreon more inclusive and accessible, supporting creators who publish in different languages—along with offering subtitles and translations—could help reach a wider, global audience.
Next steps
Redesign the event and post cards to make the user page more engaging. Consider adding real-time livestream cards to boost interaction and keep users engaged beyond commenting.
Refine creator pages to support all content types while maintaining a consistent layout. Adding more recommendations can encourage seamless content discovery without disrupting the user’s flow.
Since users value variety, introducing bundled subscriptions and creator collaborations could make the platform more dynamic and encourage long-term engagement.
Enhance onboarding by suggesting more creators to follow and adding a hover preview on creator cards for a quick content glimpse.
Retrospective
This project challenged me to balance user needs, business goals, and seamless interactions. One of the biggest takeaways was how small design choices—like when to introduce sign-up or how to present creator recommendations—can significantly impact engagement and retention.
Iterating based on feedback was crucial. Initially, the onboarding presented key platform information upfront, but testing showed that integrating it naturally into the flow made it feel more engaging. Similarly, refining the content discovery experience—by improving filtering—helped create a more intuitive and personalized journey.
If I were to continue refining this feature, I’d explore enhancing interactivity, such as bundled subscriptions and real-time livestream discovery, to deepen user engagement. I’d also test more ways to showcase creators dynamically without overwhelming users.
This project reinforced the importance of progressive disclosure, findability, and creating a seamless experience that keeps users engaged without friction. More than anything, it reminded me that great design is an ongoing process—one that evolves through real-world insights and continuous iteration.
Retrospective
This project challenged me to balance user needs, business goals, and seamless interactions. One of the biggest takeaways was how small design choices—like when to introduce sign-up or how to present creator recommendations—can significantly impact engagement and retention.
Iterating based on feedback was crucial. Initially, the onboarding presented key platform information upfront, but testing showed that integrating it naturally into the flow made it feel more engaging. Similarly, refining the content discovery experience—by improving filtering—helped create a more intuitive and personalized journey.
If I were to continue refining this feature, I’d explore enhancing interactivity, such as bundled subscriptions and real-time livestream discovery, to deepen user engagement. I’d also test more ways to showcase creators dynamically without overwhelming users.
This project reinforced the importance of progressive disclosure, findability, and creating a seamless experience that keeps users engaged without friction. More than anything, it reminded me that great design is an ongoing process—one that evolves through real-world insights and continuous iteration.
Daniela Zacarías
UX/UI Designer | Web developer
© 2024 Daniela Zacarias. All rights reserved.
CONNECT
Daniela Zacarías
UX/UI Designer | Web developer
© 2024 Daniela Zacarias. All rights reserved.
CONNECT
Daniela Zacarías
UX/UI Designer | Web developer
© 2024 Daniela Zacarias. All rights reserved.
CONNECT
See how it works
Try the prototype of both experiences or take a seat and watch how it works!
🚀 Jump into onboarding
🔎 Explore content discovery
