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

— 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. Galleries felt underwhelming, navigation lacked clarity, and opportunities for storytelling and connection were left unexplored. The soul of film was there, but it needed a stronger frame to shine.

That’s where my redesign journey began.

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.

But as I began exploring the app, I noticed a tension. The concept was strong, yet the experience often fell short. Galleries felt underwhelming, navigation lacked clarity, and opportunities for storytelling and connection were left unexplored. The soul of film was there, but it needed a stronger frame to shine.

That’s where my redesign journey began.

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.

Without contextual galleries, intuitive flows, or robust social features, the app risks being seen as a novelty instead of a platform users return to again and again.

How might we enhance Flashback’s user experience while conceptually expanding its features to deepen delight, usability, and community connection?

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.”

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.

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.

“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 like analog thing. And it also makes you be a little bit more patient and I think kind of sets the tone for how you're going to use this. That's interesting.”
“It says your roll is being developed come back... it’s saying come back later. But this little bar, I interpret as saying like, hold on, it's something still processing maybe I still have to watch.... But I'll trust that it's in the ether.”
“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. And also I don't need this logo.”
“My first impression is like, what’s supposed to go here?”
“I like the chronological order, but I think I also would like the option to see things a little bit zoomed out like say, I had a really, really fun weekend with this camera three years ago, and I was like, god dammit, I need to scroll so far.”
“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 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 like analog thing. And it also makes you be a little bit more patient and I think kind of sets the tone for how you're going to use this. That's interesting.”
“It says your roll is being developed come back... it’s saying come back later. But this little bar, I interpret as saying like, hold on, it's something still processing maybe I still have to watch.... But I'll trust that it's in the ether.”
“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. And also I don't need this logo.”
“My first impression is like, what’s supposed to go here?”
“I like the chronological order, but I think I also would like the option to see things a little bit zoomed out like say, I had a really, really fun weekend with this camera three years ago, and I was like, god dammit, I need to scroll so far.”
“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 think I would expect also options like save to your camera or send through iMessage or something like that.”

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.

“My first impression is like, what’s supposed to go here?”

“It says your roll is being developed come back... it’s saying come back later. But this little bar, I interpret as saying like, hold on, it's something still processing maybe I still have to watch.... But I'll trust that it's in the ether.”

“I like the chronological order, but I think I also would like the option to see things a little bit zoomed out like say, I had a really, really fun weekend with this camera three years ago, and I was like, god dammit, I need to scroll so far.”

“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. And also I don't need this logo.”

“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.”