When we launched Cocoon, it was only possible to use the app with a single group of people. You could only be in *one* Cocoon. Today we've added the ability to be in as many as you like.
The new version includes a switcher in the header for venturing between Cocoons.
The new version includes a switcher in the header for venturing between Cocoons.
The single-Cocoon restriction was by design. Equating an app solely with a single group created a unique emotional weight around the entire experience (in addition to making privacy very clear).
In the early days, this was helpful framing to guide people through Cocoon creation.
In the early days, this was helpful framing to guide people through Cocoon creation.
But in reality, most people are part of more than just one group that could be elevated into a Cocoon. As Sachin describes, the criteria for a Cocoon is very specific, but not uncommon:
This is one of the largest changes we've made to the app, and the design was challenging. We wanted to preserve the weightiness associated with being in a Cocoon, but still keep it practical to move between them.
Somewhere in between thread switching and account switching.
Somewhere in between thread switching and account switching.
My first exploration leaned a lot on the patterns of account switching. I liked how, even if the functionality of this design was basically the same as switching between threads, the UI could make it feel like a bigger deal.
One of the main things that was missing from that design, was the feeling that a Cocoon is a space.
A Cocoon isn't an account or a simple thread, it's meant to feel like a physical place. I wondered how the UI might help convey this, and did some explorations.
A Cocoon isn't an account or a simple thread, it's meant to feel like a physical place. I wondered how the UI might help convey this, and did some explorations.
These designs used z-space to convey departure, similar to games like SimCity where zooming out of your city makes it feel like you're traveling between actual places in your phone.
I liked these, but worried they might be too frustrating to see new content off-screen.
I liked these, but worried they might be too frustrating to see new content off-screen.
The final design still uses depth to convey travel, but reduces the size of the Cocoons so you can see a few at once. It's easy to see which Cocoon has new content, but still allows each to feel like a special place. Props to @pixelmatrix on the execution of this transition.
Moving between Cocoons is easy, but purposefully not as lightweight as switching between message threads – there is some intentional ergonomic friction in our solution.
Cocoons are intimate and private spaces, so switching between them isn't to be taken lightly!
Cocoons are intimate and private spaces, so switching between them isn't to be taken lightly!
All of this sort of reminds me of the picture frames in Harry Potter, where it's only possible to be present in one at a time.
I always loved this idea of people's spirits traveling between different homes, magically (!), yet still limited by the physical constraint of presence
I always loved this idea of people's spirits traveling between different homes, magically (!), yet still limited by the physical constraint of presence
You can download Cocoon here: apps.apple.com/us/app/cocoon-…
Android is under development (don't worry!)
Android is under development (don't worry!)
