The Data Store was an ideation project I worked on with a software engineer. While the project didn’t move forward (thanks to an existing tool that already tackled the problem), it was one of the most challenging and rewarding design projects I’ve worked on. The idea behind it was to help people understand and take control of their personal data stored across different apps and services.
The Data Store was an ideation project I worked on with a software engineer. While the project didn’t move forward (thanks to an existing tool that already tackled the problem), it was one of the most challenging and rewarding design projects I’ve worked on. The idea behind it was to help people understand and take control of their personal data stored across different apps and services.
The Data Store was an ideation project I worked on with a software engineer. While the project didn’t move forward (thanks to an existing tool that already tackled the problem), it was one of the most challenging and rewarding design projects I’ve worked on. The idea behind it was to help people understand and take control of their personal data stored across different apps and services.
The Data Store was an ideation project I worked on with a software engineer. While the project didn’t move forward (thanks to an existing tool that already tackled the problem), it was one of the most challenging and rewarding design projects I’ve worked on. The idea behind it was to help people understand and take control of their personal data stored across different apps and services.
The Problem
The Problem
As digital services continue to evolve, our personal data is increasingly scattered across various apps, websites, and platforms. However, there is a significant lack of transparency around how this data is being used and shared. Many people aren't necessarily looking to delete their data, but more and more are seeking ways to better understand and manage it. The goal of this project was to create an app that would provide users with a clear picture of where their data resides, how much of it is stored by different services, and, most importantly, how they could manage or modify it.
Research and Inspiration
Research and Inspiration
We began by conducting in-depth research into existing tools that handle data privacy and user control, gathering insights from platforms like macOS Finder, Apple’s Privacy Tools, and Bitwarden.
macOS Finder: We admired its simple and intuitive organization system for files, which inspired our approach to data organization.
Apple’s Privacy Tools: Apple's tools provided a strong reference for how to clearly communicate data access and usage, helping us visualize how such transparency could be implemented in the Data Store app.
Bitwarden: Known for its straightforward management of personal data, Bitwarden inspired us to prioritize clarity, security, and ease of use in our design.
Additionally, we explored other privacy-focused tools to identify gaps and opportunities, aiming for a seamless user experience that would allow users to easily visualize and control their data.
We started by looking at macOS Finder for its simple, intuitive file organization. Apple's Privacy Tools also served as a key reference, showing how to clearly display app data access and provide actionable control. Additionally, Bitwarden inspired us with its straightforward approach to managing personal data, offering clarity and security. We also explored other tools to identify gaps and opportunities for a seamless user experience.
We started by looking at macOS Finder for its simple, intuitive file organization. Apple's Privacy Tools also served as a key reference, showing how to clearly display app data access and provide actionable control. Additionally, Bitwarden inspired us with its straightforward approach to managing personal data, offering clarity and security. We also explored other tools to identify gaps and opportunities for a seamless user experience.
From there, I developed wireframes that focused on delivering a simple and intuitive user experience, highlighting the app's core features:
Data Visualization
We prioritized clarity by using straightforward charts and icons to help users quickly see which apps have access to their data.
Categorization
Inspired by file management systems, the app allowed users to organize their data by app or data type, making navigation familiar and intuitive.
Transparency Tools
To empower users, we designed features that provided detailed insights into their data. Users could view each app and see exactly how much data was shared with those companies. They could then choose to delete, modify, or retain their data, giving them greater control over their digital footprint.
Data Requests
Once users connected their social media accounts, Data Store allowed them to request additional data from those platforms. The app would transparently show what data the platforms wanted to access, ensuring users stayed informed and in control.
Wireframing and Ideation
Wireframing and Ideation
With a clear vision in mind, I began developing wireframes for Data Store. The focus was on creating a simple, intuitive user experience that emphasized transparency and user empowerment. Here are the core features I designed:
Data Visualization
We prioritized visual clarity by using charts and icons to represent the types and quantities of data each app was storing. This simple, straightforward approach allowed users to quickly understand their data footprint and identify potential privacy concerns.
Categorization
Inspired by traditional file management systems, we categorized data by both app and data type. This made it easy for users to navigate and find exactly what they were looking for, using familiar methods from their digital life. Whether sorting by app or type of data (e.g., photos, contacts, usage history), the navigation felt intuitive and user-friendly.
Transparency Tools
We designed features that gave users deep insights into what data was being shared with each platform. Users could see exactly how much data each app had access to and what data was being used for, creating a more transparent and informed experience. This transparency empowered users to make informed decisions about their data, enabling them to delete, modify, or retain it as they saw fit.
Data Requests
The app allowed users to connect their social media accounts and request additional data from these platforms. By integrating with social media APIs, Data Store would display what data the platforms wanted to access, ensuring that users stayed fully informed about the permissions they were granting. This feature aimed to empower users to take full control over their digital footprint.
Working Demo
Working Demo
Although the Data Store project is still in its early stages, I’ve created a working demo that showcases how the interactions and core functionalities were designed to look and function. While it's still a rough wireframe and hasn’t been fully developed into a polished UI, it serves as the foundation of a much larger system I hope to build out in the future.
My partner, the software engineer, played a key role in the research and ideation phases, while I led the design efforts, bringing the concept to life through wireframes. Although the project has been temporarily put on hold as I focus on other priorities, I’m passionate about the potential of this tool and plan to revisit it when the time is right.
This is my working demo, showcasing how interactions with the application are designed to look and function. While still a work in progress, it represents the foundation of a much larger system I’ve been building.
My partner contributed significantly to the research and ideation stages, while I took the lead in bringing the project to life. The project has been temporarily placed on the back burner as I focus on other priorities, but it’s one that I’m deeply passionate about and plan to revisit when the timing is right.
The UI for this project hasn’t been started or fully considered yet—what you’ll see here is purely a rough wireframe focused on core functionality and interaction design. Despite its early stage, I’m really excited about the concept and wanted to share it with you as it stands.
There are still a few kinks to work out, and the system is far from final, but I’m proud of how far it has come. I’m excited to continue developing this project in the future, with the ultimate goal of creating something impactful and meaningful.
Thank you for exploring the demo, and stay tuned for updates as the journey progresses!
What's Next
What's Next
Although the UI design is still to come, I’m excited to share the progress made so far with this project. The wireframe represents a starting point—focused purely on functionality and interaction design. There are still many details to iron out, and the system is far from final, but I’m proud of what we’ve achieved so far.
This project is close to my heart, and I’m looking forward to continuing to develop it in the future. My ultimate goal is to create something that empowers users to better understand and manage their personal data, offering them more control over their digital lives.
Thank you for exploring the demo, and stay tuned for updates as the project continues to evolve!
Although the UI design is still to come, I’m excited to share the progress made so far with this project. The wireframe represents a starting point—focused purely on functionality and interaction design. There are still many details to iron out, and the system is far from final, but I’m proud of what we’ve achieved so far.
This project is close to my heart, and I’m looking forward to continuing to develop it in the future. My ultimate goal is to create something that empowers users to better understand and manage their personal data, offering them more control over their digital lives.
Thank you for exploring the demo, and stay tuned for updates as the project continues to evolve!