Redesigning the Flashback App: The First Digital "Disposable" Camera
Redesigning the Flashback App: The First Digital "Disposable" Camera
Role: UX/UI Design | Visual Design & Branding | Interaction Design & Prototyping
Format: Mobile Application
Redesigning the Flashback App: The First Digital "Disposable" Camera
Role: UX/UI Design | Visual Design & Branding | Interaction Design & Prototyping
Format: Mobile Application
Photography has always been about more than just capturing a moment
Photography has always been about more than just capturing a moment
Photography has always been about more than just capturing a moment
Photography has always been about more than just capturing a moment
— it’s about the anticipation, the ritual, and the stories that unfold when we finally see what was caught on film. Flashback set out to bring that magic into the digital age: users shoot “blind,” photos remain hidden, and only after a roll is “developed” can they relive their memories.
— it’s about the anticipation, the ritual, and the stories that unfold when we finally see what was caught on film. Flashback set out to bring that magic into the digital age: users shoot “blind,” photos remain hidden, and only after a roll is “developed” can they relive their memories.
But as I began exploring the app, I noticed a tension. The concept was strong, yet the experience often fell short. the soul of film was there, but it needed a stronger frame to shine.
But as I began exploring the app, I noticed a tension. The concept was strong, yet the experience often fell short. the soul of film was there, but it needed a stronger frame to shine.
How might we enhance Flashback’s user experience while conceptually expanding its features to deepen delight, usability, and community connection?
How might we enhance Flashback’s user experience while conceptually expanding its features to deepen delight, usability, and community connection?
How might we enhance Flashback’s user experience while conceptually expanding its features to deepen delight, usability, and community connection?
Flashback promises to revive the joy of candid, film-like photography, but the app’s current design leaves users without the full sense of anticipation, storytelling, and community that analog photography embodies.
Flashback promises to revive the joy of candid, film-like photography, but the app’s current design leaves users without the full sense of anticipation, storytelling, and community that analog photography embodies.
The focus of this project was to:
The focus of this project was to:
Enhance the core film roll flow by refining gallery, development, and sharing experiences.
Enhance the core film roll flow by refining gallery, development, and sharing experiences.
Expand app functionality with conceptual features like collaborative rolls, community challenges, and time-capsule modes.
Expand app functionality with conceptual features like collaborative rolls, community challenges, and time-capsule modes.
Apply UX/UI design principles to create a more intuitive, accessible, and visually cohesive app.
Apply UX/UI design principles to create a more intuitive, accessible, and visually cohesive app.
I began by reviewing Flashback’s app alongside its brand promise: “The soul of film, reborn.”
I began by reviewing Flashback’s app alongside its brand promise:
“The soul of film, reborn.”
I began by reviewing Flashback’s app alongside its brand promise: “The soul of film, reborn.”
To ground my redesign in real perspectives, I conducted user interviews with two groups: people who were entirely new to the concept of digital film rolls, and people already familiar with traditional film photography.
To ground my redesign in real perspectives, I conducted user interviews with two groups: people who were entirely new to the concept of digital film rolls, and people already familiar with traditional film photography.
To ground my redesign in real perspectives, I conducted user interviews with two groups: people who were entirely new to the concept of digital film rolls, and people already familiar with traditional film photography.
To ground my redesign in real perspectives, I conducted user interviews with two groups: people who were entirely new to the concept of digital film rolls, and people already familiar with traditional film photography.
“The idea I would say like a nine. Okay, I really, really like it. The app on the phone, and like just the ease and stuff probably. This is harsh, but I would give it a 6.5 Maybe a 7.5.”
“The idea I would say like a nine. Okay, I really, really like it. The app on the phone, and like just the ease and stuff probably. This is harsh, but I would give it a 6.5 Maybe a 7.5.”
“The idea I would say like a nine. Okay, I really, really like it. The app on the phone, and like just the ease and stuff probably. This is harsh, but I would give it a 6.5 Maybe a 7.5.”
“The idea I would say like a nine. Okay, I really, really like it. The app on the phone, and like just the ease and stuff probably. This is harsh, but I would give it a 6.5 Maybe a 7.5.”
“I want to see camera settings or something like that, but maybe a date taken because I know that when I think of disposable cameras I always think of the date here."
“I want to see camera settings or something like that, but maybe a date taken because I know that when I think of disposable cameras I always think of the date here."
“I like the chronological order, but I think I also would like the option to see things a little bit zoomed out."
“I like the chronological order, but I think I also would like the option to see things a little bit zoomed out."
“My first impression is like, what’s supposed to go here?”
“My first impression is like, what’s supposed to go here?”
"I think I would expect also options like save to your camera or send through iMessage or something like that.”
"I think I would expect also options like save to your camera or send through iMessage or something like that.”
“I do like that it doesn't just automatically sync because it gets you to touch the camera and realize: Oh, this is a really analog thing. And it also makes you be a bit more patient and I think that sets the tone for how you're going to use this.”
“I do like that it doesn't just automatically sync because it gets you to touch the camera and realize: Oh, this is a really analog thing. And it also makes you be a bit more patient and I think that sets the tone for how you're going to use this.”
“I think this sidebar takes up so much real estate. I mean, I'm so used to the iPhone, camera app and even Instagram, all the navigation being on the bottom, and that's what I would prefer."
“I think this sidebar takes up so much real estate. I mean, I'm so used to the iPhone, camera app and even Instagram, all the navigation being on the bottom, and that's what I would prefer."
“I want to see camera settings or something like that, but maybe a date taken because I know that when I think of disposable cameras I always think of the date here."
“I want to see camera settings or something like that, but maybe a date taken because I know that when I think of disposable cameras I always think of the date here."
“I want to see camera settings or something like that, but maybe a date taken because I know that when I think of disposable cameras I always think of the date here."
“I like the chronological order, but I think I also would like the option to see things a little bit zoomed out."
“I like the chronological order, but I think I also would like the option to see things a little bit zoomed out."
“I like the chronological order, but I think I also would like the option to see things a little bit zoomed out."
“My first impression is like, what’s supposed to go here?”
“My first impression is like, what’s supposed to go here?”
“My first impression is like, what’s supposed to go here?”
"I think I would expect also options like save to your camera or send through iMessage or something like that.”
"I think I would expect also options like save to your camera or send through iMessage or something like that.”
"I think I would expect also options like save to your camera or send through iMessage or something like that.”
“I do like that it doesn't just automatically sync because it gets you to touch the camera and realize: Oh, this is a really analog thing. And it also makes you be a bit more patient and I think that sets the tone for how you're going to use this.”
“I do like that it doesn't just automatically sync because it gets you to touch the camera and realize: Oh, this is a really analog thing. And it also makes you be a bit more patient and I think that sets the tone for how you're going to use this.”
“I do like that it doesn't just automatically sync because it gets you to touch the camera and realize: Oh, this is a really analog thing. It also makes you a bit more patient and I think that sets the tone for how you're going to use this.”
“I think this sidebar takes up so much real estate. I mean, I'm so used to the iPhone, camera app and even Instagram, all the navigation being on the bottom, and that's what I would prefer."
“I think this sidebar takes up so much real estate. I mean, I'm so used to the iPhone, camera app and even Instagram, all the navigation being on the bottom, and that's what I would prefer."
“I think this sidebar takes up so much real estate. I mean, I'm so used to the iPhone, camera app and even Instagram, all the navigation being on the bottom, and that's what I would prefer."
Together, these perspectives revealed opportunities to bridge the gap between novelty and authenticity, helping Flashback feel both approachable for newcomers and meaningful for photography enthusiasts.
Together, these perspectives revealed opportunities to bridge the gap between novelty and authenticity, helping Flashback feel both approachable for newcomers and meaningful for photography enthusiasts.
Together, these perspectives revealed opportunities to bridge the gap between novelty and authenticity, helping Flashback feel both approachable for newcomers and meaningful for photography enthusiasts.
When I first downloaded Flashback, I approached it as both a designer and a curious new user.
The promise was clear: a digital camera app that recreates the joy of film by delaying photo reveals. But as I moved through the app, I began mapping the actual flow — from shooting a photo, to “developing” a roll, to viewing the gallery.
The promise was clear: a digital camera app that recreates the joy of film by delaying photo reveals. But as I moved through the app, I began mapping the actual flow — from shooting a photo, to “developing” a roll, to viewing the gallery.
*View this Case Study on a Laptop or Desktop to explore all deliverables
When I first downloaded Flashback, I approached it as both a designer and a curious new user.
Through interviews and research, I uncovered what users really valued; the features they couldn’t live without and the ones they’d love to see next.
Through interviews and research, I uncovered what users really valued; the features they couldn’t live without and the ones they’d love to see next.
MVP Features
Necessary features and flows that bring Flashback closer to its vision:
Necessary features and flows that bring Flashback closer to its vision:
Core Role Experience
Contact Sheet View
Improved Navigation
Editable Roll Title/Image Names
Roll Journal/Notes
Favorites
Download Individual Photos and Rolls
Contact Sheet View
Improved Navigation
Editable Roll Title/Image Names
Roll Journal/Notes
Favorites
Download Individual Photos and Rolls
Community Basics
Option to Publish Photos/Rolls (public or private)
Tagging Photos
Option to Publish Photos/Rolls (public or private)
Tagging Photos
Future Roadmap
Storytelling & Delight
Flashback Moment (memory resurfacing)
Widget (showcase photos on home screen)
Roll Stats/Analytics
Photo Editing (stickers, drawing, doodles)
Flashback Moment (memory resurfacing)
Widget (showcase photos on home screen)
Roll Stats/Analytics
Photo Editing (stickers, drawing, doodles)
Community Growth
Roll of the Week (spotlight feature)
Curated Collections (editorial + curated galleries)
Badges (milestones, challenges, group rolls)
Roll of the Week (spotlight feature)
Curated Collections (editorial + curated galleries)
Badges (milestones, challenges, group rolls)
Exploration & Discovery
Map View
Random Film Stock (roulette for creative play)
Film Shop (unlock/purchase new digital films)
Map View
Random Film Stock (roulette for creative play)
Film Shop (unlock/purchase new digital films)
MVP Features
Necessary features and flows that bring Flashback closer to its vision:
Core Role Experience
Contact Sheet View
Improved Navigation
Editable Roll Title/Image Names
Roll Journal/Notes
Favorites
Download Individual Photos and Rolls
Community Basics
Option to Publish Photos/Rolls (public or private)
Tagging Photos
Future Roadmap
Storytelling & Delight
Flashback Moment (memory resurfacing)
Widget (showcase photos on home screen)
Roll Stats/Analytics
Photo Editing (stickers, drawing, doodles)
Community Growth
Roll of the Week (spotlight feature)
Curated Collections (editorial + curated galleries)
Badges (milestones, challenges, group rolls)
Exploration & Discovery
Map View
Random Film Stock (roulette for creative play)
Film Shop (unlock/purchase new digital films)
MVP Features
Necessary features and flows that bring Flashback closer to its vision:
Core Role Experience
Contact Sheet View
Improved Navigation
Editable Roll Title/Image Names
Roll Journal/Notes
Favorites
Download Individual Photos and Rolls
Community Basics
Option to Publish Photos/Rolls (public or private)
Tagging Photos
Future Roadmap
Storytelling & Delight
Flashback Moment (memory resurfacing)
Widget (showcase photos on home screen)
Roll Stats/Analytics
Photo Editing (stickers, drawing, doodles)
Community Growth
Roll of the Week (spotlight feature)
Curated Collections (editorial + curated galleries)
Badges (milestones, challenges, group rolls)
Exploration & Discovery
Map View
Random Film Stock (roulette for creative play)
Film Shop (unlock/purchase new digital films)
