QuikSum
QuikSum aims to revolutionize how younger generations engage with real-world topics by providing a customizable, interactive, and trustworthy platform tailored to their digital habits and learning preferences. Our mission is to make staying informed feel intuitive and engaging—delivering fact-checked, bias-free content in formats that are accessible, visually appealing, and easy to understand. By empowering users to explore diverse perspectives and think critically, we strive to foster a new generation of informed, thoughtful, and socially conscious individuals.
Identifying the Challenge
The younger generation is increasingly disengaged from current events, leading to a growing lack of awareness and understanding of important real-world issues. Traditional news sources and educational approaches fail to resonate with their digital habits and content preferences, resulting in lower levels of civic engagement and critical thinking. There is a clear need for a platform that delivers unbiased, fact-checked information in a personalized, interactive, and visually engaging way to help foster a more informed and thoughtful society.
Survey Results
Key Findings
Our key findings reveal that Gen Z is disengaged from traditional news formats, which they find overwhelming, biased, and time-consuming. They prefer quick, visually engaging, and interactive content that aligns with their fast-paced digital habits. Personalization is crucial, as users want control over what topics they see and how they consume them. Misinformation and bias are major concerns, making credibility and balanced pervspectives essential. Ultimately, younger audiences are more likely to engage with news that is aesthetically pleasing, easy to navigate, and tailored to their interests and learning preferences.
Competitive Analysis
User Persona
Bio:
Alex is a 22 year old college student majoring in communications who is passionate about staying informed on real world issues but finds traditional news formats overwhelming and time consuming. She prefers short, visually engaging content and ofter discovers news through Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. With a fast paces lifestyle, she wants a customizable, aesthetically pleasing platform that makes reading about politics, mental health, and innovation easy and engaging.
Motivations:
Alex is driven by a genuine desire to stay informed about real-world issues that matter, such as politics, mental health, and innovation. She wants to feel connected to current events and global conversations but in a way that fits seamlessly into her fast-paced lifestyle. Visually engaging and interactive content motivates her to explore topics deeper, especially when it’s presented in a format that is both informative and easy to digest. She values platforms that empower critical thinking and offer fresh, diverse perspectives.
Goals:
Alex aims to build a better understanding of complex topics without the overwhelm of traditional media. She wants a news experience that’s customizable to her interests, enabling her to filter through noise and focus on what’s relevant. Her goal is to engage with content that feels credible, balanced, and visually appealing, so she can stay updated without sacrificing her time or mental bandwidth. Ultimately, she wants to feel informed, after consuming the news.
Frustrations:
Alex often feels overwhelmed by the sheer volume and negativity of traditional news, which can be time-consuming and emotionally draining. She’s frustrated by clickbait headlines, biased narratives, and the lack of interactive or solution-oriented content. Platforms that don't prioritize user control or aesthetic appeal quickly lose her attention. She also struggles with the inconsistency of reliable news across social media, where misinformation often spreads more easily than truth.
How might we?
Solution
Our solution is Quick Sum, a customizable and interactive news app designed specifically for Gen Z. It delivers real-world topics in engaging formats like short videos, infographics, and quizzes, allowing users to personalize their news experience by selecting topics, content complexity, and preferred media types. The platform integrates reliable fact-checking, presents balanced viewpoints, and fosters active participation through polls, discussions, and gamified learning. With a focus on accessibility, trust, and user-centric design, Quick Sum makes staying informed easy, engaging, and relevant for the next generation.
Journey Mapping
Paper Prototypes
Wireframes
Branding
UI Elements
