Turning Casual Photos
into Meaningful Experiences
To turn rarely viewed photos into meaningful experiences, I designed a gamified feature within the photo app.
DURATION
4 months
January - April 2026
Type
Samsung Contract Project,
Developed for Thesis
MY ROLE
Solo Project
I focused on graphical micro-interactions for gamification and AI algorithms for new ways of sorting old photos.
ADVISOR
Shin-Jae Jung
Context
Samsung's Photo Highlight
For Gen Z, Social media is not just a platform for communication — it’s an active space for discovering real-time, trend-driven information through people.
76% a users use less than once a month, but they still value their old photos.
I conducted an online survey with 102 Gen Z participants aged 19–27.
Problem
When memories have already faded, a single photo appears suddenly and randomly.
Gamified Photo Filters
for a more predictable and playful experience
Relive Travel with Route Map Filters
When a user selects Switzerland, a subway-like animation reveals photos from that location.
See the Biggest Smiles in Your Album
Tap the smile icon, and the photo with the biggest smile in your app will appear.
Today’s Luck, Found in Old Photos
This is a tarot card filter for your daily fortune. Choose a stone card you're drawn to and reveal your fortune for the day. Don't forget to check the photo on the back of the card!
Additional Possibilities
Users can also get inspiration for today’s outfit and meals.
Traditionally, photos were categorized by simple criteria like people or places. Now, they can be organized by smile intensity, meals, temperature at the time, or the number of people.
Request User Research Process
Interested in learning more about this project? Get in touch for more details.
jiwonjang.design@gmail.com