From Engagement to Reflection: Exploring Slow - Design in Social Media Interfaces Designing and Evaluating Interfaces through Slow Design Principles

Abstract

This research explores how Slow Design principles can be applied to the design of social media interfaces in order to support more mindful interaction and user self-reflection. Current platforms are largely driven by engagement metrics such as likes, comments, and algorithmic recommendations, which often reinforce habitual use and reduce opportunities for meaningful interaction. To address this issue, a constructive design research approach was adopted, combining a literature review, qualitative interviews, and thematic analysis to identify challenges in existing social media use and opportunities for alternative design directions. Based on these insights, a set of design requirements was developed and used to guide the redesign of an Instagram prototype. The prototype included several features inspired by Slow Design principles: Behind This (Reveal) to surface hidden context behind posts, reflection (Reflect) to encourage personal journaling, a pause screen (Engage) to disrupt habitual scrolling, and a reflection streak (Evolve) to support long-term awareness of personal growth. These features were implemented in a semi-functional prototype and evaluated with participants through A/B Testing, and post-test interviews. Findings indicate that the redesigned features encouraged participants to engage more thoughtfully with content, shift attention away from surface-level interactions, and reflect on their own experiences. While the overall response was positive, limitations were noted regarding convenience, the short-term nature of the evaluation, and the absence of full-scale platform dynamics such as recommendation algorithms. The study concludes that incorporating Slow Design principles into social media interfaces can provide a viable alternative to engagement-driven design by emphasizing depth, reflection, and participation. The research contributes to the growing discourse on mindful technology design by demonstrating practical applications of Slow Design in a social media context and outlining directions for future work, including the development of a fully functional application and long-term evaluation in real-world settings.