Imagine trying to show all the different sides of yourself in one place. That's the challenge that Instagram hired me to solve. My task was to make Instagram the go-to spot for billions to comfortably share who they are.
Sharing your authentic self can be risky. Imagine someone who collects action figures but doesn't share their hobby for fear of being teased. The complex nature of identity affects what we share, and who we share it with, underscoring a major challenge for Instagram.
It was a lightbulb moment — All of our research about Finstas showed me that people wanted to segment their identities. And, leveraging separate accounts already met their needs. So, enhancing that experience became my team's focus.
My team's work on 'Multiple Accounts' was just the start — I led the foundational exploration of concepts that enhance identity on Instagram, considering new ways for people to express themselves and build community.
Selling an idea is everything. I learned this lesson the hard way, with one of my early concepts not getting traction. Over time, I've honed this skill, continuously refining my approach to ensure my ideas are not just heard, but adopted.
Selling an idea is everything. I learned this lesson the hard way, with one of my early concepts not getting traction. Over time, I've honed this skill, continuously refining my approach to ensure my ideas are not just heard, but adopted.
My team and I fueled remarkable growth at Instagram. But, for me, it's all about user impact — seeing people comfortably share different sides of themselves on the platform, knowing we helped make that possible.
Design matters. Being part of a company that holds design in such high regard taught me a ton. This journey imparted invaluable lessons on user-centric principles, flexibility, and the power of team collaboration.
