iMessage Feature
Product Design
Spring 2025
Contact Clusters
Enhancing Communication in App Message
Born from real frustration, designed to cut through the noise of spam and cluttered inboxes.
Seamlessly integrates into iOS, using familiar gestures like long-press to organize contacts.
Tested with real users, refined through multiple A/B rounds to balance clarity and visuals.
Keeps you focused on priority conversations, so family, friends, and teammates are never buried.
My first deep dive into UX/UI, sparking a lasting passion for human-centered design.
Contact Clusters
Contact Clusters
iMessage Feature
iMessage Feature
iMessage Feature
Contact Clusters is a self‑initiated concept feature for Apple Messages that helps users manage conversations more efficiently by grouping contacts into personalized clusters. Designed to reduce inbox clutter, surface priority messages, and seamlessly blend with Apple’s native ecosystem, the feature reimagines how users can stay connected — without the chaos.
Contact Clusters is a self‑initiated concept feature for Apple Messages that helps users manage conversations more efficiently by grouping contacts into personalized clusters. Designed to reduce inbox clutter, surface priority messages, and seamlessly blend with Apple’s native ecosystem, the feature reimagines how users can stay connected — without the chaos.
Contact Clusters is a self‑initiated concept feature for Apple Messages that helps users manage conversations more efficiently by grouping contacts into personalized clusters. Designed to reduce inbox clutter, surface priority messages, and seamlessly blend with Apple’s native ecosystem, the feature reimagines how users can stay connected — without the chaos.
PROBLEM
Sea of Spam and Reminders
Sea of Spam and Reminders
Sea of Spam and Reminders
Messaging apps treat all conversations equally
Messaging apps treat all conversations equally
Messaging apps treat all conversations equally
Many users struggle to find important messages buried under reminders, spam, and promotions. This inspired the question:
Many users struggle to find important messages buried under reminders, spam, and promotions. This inspired the question:
Many users struggle to find important messages buried under reminders, spam, and promotions. This inspired the question:
How might we help users quickly identify and access important messages while maintaining Apple’s simple, familiar experience?
How might we help users quickly identify and access important messages while maintaining Apple’s simple, familiar experience?
How might we help users quickly identify and access important messages while maintaining Apple’s simple, familiar experience?
SPOILERS! A SNEAK PEEK...
Final Design Solutions
Final Design Solutions
Final Design Solutions
Toggle Views (1)
Toggle Views (1)
Add to Cluster (2)
Add to Cluster (2)
Create contacts (3)
Create contacts (3)
Easily switch between the default inbox and a clustered view to stay focused on priority conversations.
Easily switch between the default inbox and a clustered view to stay focused on priority conversations.
Easily switch between the default inbox and a clustered view to stay focused on priority conversations.
Use a long-press or swipe gesture to categorize contacts into existing clusters with one simple action.
Use a long-press or swipe gesture to categorize contacts into existing clusters with one simple action.
Use a long-press or swipe gesture to categorize contacts into existing clusters with one simple action.
Easily switch between the default inbox and a clustered view to stay focused on priority conversations.
Easily switch between the default inbox and a clustered view to stay focused on priority conversations.
Easily switch between the default inbox and a clustered view to stay focused on priority conversations.
Why This Works
The final iteration integrates seamlessly with Apple Messages. Every gesture feels intuitive — like an extension of existing behavior — while providing a new layer of organization that fits naturally into daily communication.
The final iteration integrates seamlessly with Apple Messages. Every gesture feels intuitive — like an extension of existing behavior — while providing a new layer of organization that fits naturally into daily communication.
The final iteration integrates seamlessly with Apple Messages. Every gesture feels intuitive — like an extension of existing behavior — while providing a new layer of organization that fits naturally into daily communication.
HOLD UP — HOW DID WE GET HERE?
(1) Context: The orgin story
(1) Context: The orgin story
(1) Context: The orgin story
Born from a personal frustration with disorganized inboxes, this project tackled the issue of important conversations getting lost amidst promotional texts, event reminders, and group chat noise.
Born from a personal frustration with disorganized inboxes, this project tackled the issue of important conversations getting lost amidst promotional texts, event reminders, and group chat noise.
Born from a personal frustration with disorganized inboxes, this project tackled the issue of important conversations getting lost amidst promotional texts, event reminders, and group chat noise.
Contact Clusters emerged from the need to bring clarity, control, and calm back to digital communication.
Contact Clusters emerged from the need to bring clarity, control, and calm back to digital communication.
Contact Clusters emerged from the need to bring clarity, control, and calm back to digital communication.
(2) Goals
(2) Goals
(2) Goals
Categorize
Categorize
Categorize
contacts for better message tracking.
contacts for better message tracking.
contacts for better message tracking.
Prioritize
Prioritize
Prioritize
what matters most while minimizing noise.
what matters most while minimizing noise.
what matters most while minimizing noise.
Maintain
Maintain
Maintain
seamless integration with Apple’s existing design system.
seamless integration with Apple’s existing design system.
seamless integration with Apple’s existing design system.
(3) Personas
(3) Personas
(3) Personas
THE PROCESS
Low Fidelity Wire Frames
Low Fidelity Wire Frames
Low Fidelity Wire Frames
Design System Alignment
Design System Alignment
Design System Alignment
Every element was inspired by Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, referencing its use of typography, spacing, and hierarchy to emulate the iMessage aesthetic.
Every element was inspired by Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, referencing its use of typography, spacing, and hierarchy to emulate the iMessage aesthetic.
Every element was inspired by Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, referencing its use of typography, spacing, and hierarchy to emulate the iMessage aesthetic.
The goal was to capture the feel of a native experience, creating a feature that looks and behaves as if it naturally belongs within Messages.
The goal was to capture the feel of a native experience, creating a feature that looks and behaves as if it naturally belongs within Messages.
The goal was to capture the feel of a native experience, creating a feature that looks and behaves as if it naturally belongs within Messages.
User Testing & A/B Testing
User Testing & A/B Testing
User Testing & A/B Testing
Contact Cluster Messages
First Round (6 participants)
Takeaway: Users liked images but felt they made the interface cluttered.
Design System Alignment
Design System Alignment
Design System Alignment
Every element was inspired by Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, referencing its use of typography, spacing, and hierarchy to emulate the iMessage aesthetic.
Every element was inspired by Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, referencing its use of typography, spacing, and hierarchy to emulate the iMessage aesthetic.
Every element was inspired by Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, referencing its use of typography, spacing, and hierarchy to emulate the iMessage aesthetic.
The goal was to capture the feel of a native experience, creating a feature that looks and behaves as if it naturally belongs within Messages.
The goal was to capture the feel of a native experience, creating a feature that looks and behaves as if it naturally belongs within Messages.
The goal was to capture the feel of a native experience, creating a feature that looks and behaves as if it naturally belongs within Messages.
