Designing a digital platform for interest-based communities: A Design Thinking approach
Authors
Hofman, Christina Cecilia ; Jürs, Alexandra
Term
4. term
Publication year
2026
Abstract
This thesis examines how individuals and interest-based communities cultivate their interests and use digital tools, with the aim of designing a digital platform that supports community practices and social learning. Using a pragmatic Design Thinking approach and theoretical lenses from Communities of Practice, Dialogic Learning, and Affordance theory, we collected data through purposive sampling, semi-structured interviews, and a future workshop, and analyzed it via thematic analysis and affinity mapping. The analysis suggests that established communities experience security through shared practices, whereas individuals and newly formed communities face greater uncertainty and therefore need more structure and support. Based on these insights, we developed prototypes of a digital platform intended to support both new and established communities as well as individual users. Three participants from the initial interviews tested the prototypes. Overall feedback was positive—particularly regarding the platform’s customizability—but some confusion about functionality highlighted the need for clearer instructions and signifiers and more filtering options. The results indicate that digital platforms can support social learning and community practices in interest-based communities when designed to accommodate diverse user needs.
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan mennesker og interessebaserede fællesskaber dyrker deres interesser og anvender digitale værktøjer, med det formål at designe en digital platform, der understøtter fællesskabspraksisser og social læring. Med en pragmatisk Design Thinking-tilgang og teoretiske perspektiver fra Communities of Practice, Dialogisk læring og Affordance-teori indsamlede vi data gennem målrettet udvælgelse (purposive sampling), semistrukturerede interviews og en future workshop og analyserede materialet via tematisk analyse og affinity mapping. Analysen peger på, at etablerede fællesskaber oplever tryghed gennem fælles praksisser, mens individuelle brugere og nye fællesskaber er mere usikre og derfor har behov for mere struktur og støtte. På den baggrund udviklede vi prototyper af en digital platform, der skal understøtte både nye og etablerede fællesskaber samt individuelle brugere. Tre brugere fra de indledende interviews testede prototyperne. Den overordnede feedback var positiv, særligt omkring platformens mulighed for tilpasning til egne praksisser, men der opstod også forvirring omkring visse funktioner, hvilket peger på behov for tydeligere instruktioner og signifiers samt flere filtreringsmuligheder. Resultaterne indikerer, at digitale platforme kan støtte social læring og fællesskabspraksisser i interessebaserede fællesskaber, når de designes til at imødekomme forskellige brugerbehov.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]