Process
Problem
Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging app that has over 800 million monthly active users. It's an excellent platform for basic everyday usage. Most of people use for learning. However , Telegram's single UI with a mix of channels, individual conversations, and groups provides challenges for usability. It make confusing for novice user.
goals
The aim of the research is to improve the app's usability by simplifying its interface, hence minimizing user confusion and preventing feelings of being overwhelmed.
My role
Creating a user interface and conducting research on the user experience.
Research
The research using different online platforms was done through multiple digital streaming services. This research collected data on the user's requirements, behaviours , and points of frustration.
Qualitative research
I prepared some questions for doing qualitative research, which I then distributed around individuals in various social media groups and new users. The aim was to get useful data from users. Here are a few examples of sample questions.
1. What kind of work do you do?
2. How often do you use the social media?
3. Do you believe everything you see on social media?
4. Which apps do you use to chat with friends?
5. Do you like to share pictures or videos online?
6. Do you talk to people or share stuff on Telegram?
7. Have you ever learned something new or interesting
on Telegram?
8. Will you use Telegram more in the future?
9. What kind of content do you usually share with your
friends on Telegram?
10. Have you made any new friends online?
People use social media every day, mostly at night or when they have free time.
They mostly chat on WhatsApp , Facebook Messenger and sometimes on Telegram.
They enjoy sharing their photos and videos with friends.
Most people use Telegram for learning because it has a lot of study groups and channels .
Most people check if things are true before believing them on social media.
Some have met new friends in online groups of Telegram.
Quantitative research
I created a survey and shared it with people through various social media groups and new users to collect quantitative data. The goal was to understand user habits, preferences, and challenges through measurable insights. Here are a few examples of the survey questions.
1. Which device do you usually use to access Telegram?
Smart phone
71.4%
Computer
14.3%
Tablet
14.3%
2.Are Telegram's privacy settings satisfactory for you?
Yes
85.7%
No
14.3%
3.Which Telegram feature do you use the most?
Channels
85.7%
Group chats
14.3%
Secret chats
0%
4.Have recent updates to Telegram improved your satisfaction?
Yes
85.7%
No
14.3%
5.How long have you been using Telegram?
Less than 6 months
14.3%
6 months to a year
14.3%
More than a year
71.4%
Usability study
I conducted a usability study with target users to evaluate the app’s ease of use, identify pain points, and gather feedback for improvements.
Change new
Username
that you want to create new.
Clear
data
from your telegram to reduce your devices
storages.
Watch
search the
videos
downloaded videos.
that you have been downloaded a few day ago, or
Prompt 1
Findings
The username is in the edit page.
The edit icon is located at the top-right
corner of the home page.
Then tap the edit icon to change username.
I usually can find this features.
Prompt 2
Findings
Go to the search bar that is on the top
of the home page.
This displays chats, media and downloads etc.
Tap download button where the downloaded
videos are exited.
I can’t find the downloaded videos easily.
Prompt 3
Findings
Go to the settings of telegram.
Scroll down the menu and tap
“ data and storage”.
It was located at the bottom but
I can find easily because I usually clear
my storage and cache once a week.
Prompt 1
Prompt 2
Prompt 3
Watch videos that you have been downloaded
a few day ago, or search the downloaded videos.
Completion Rate
Easy to complete
Completed but with difficulty
Not completed
User 1
User 2
User 3
Change new Username that you want to create new.
Clear data from your telegram to reduce your
devices storage.
Creating personas that reflect different communication and content management behaviors
I created personas based on user research to better understand users' goals, frustrations, and challenges when using Telegram.
“I value learning and meaningful connections, but I need a simpler way to manage my digital life.”
PAIN POINTS
WORKAROUNDS
Not enough personal time.
Mutes less important groups and pins important chats to focus on what matters.
Has trouble quickly finding downloaded videos and files.
Uses the search bar and manually scrolls through chats or Saved Messages to locate files.
Finds it difficult to navigate because groups, channels, and personal chats are mixed in one interface.
Pins important chats and mutes unnecessary groups.
Curious Chloe
Designing an information architecture that supports clear navigation and content discovery
I created an information architecture based on user research to better understand how users expect content to be organized, labeled, and navigated when using Telegram.
Wireframe
Organizing channels, chats, and groups for easier navigation
By using a methodical categorization process to channels, individual chats, and groups, This approach has the potential to improve usability and reduce confusion for novice users.
Finding downloaded videos without the extra searching
Downloaded videos are hard to find since Telegram lacks a dedicated download folder in settings, unlike other apps — adding one would improve the user experience.
Renaming files for faster, more flexible searching
A rename feature was implemented to improve searchability and user experience. By giving files specific names, users can quickly find them, gaining more control over organization and reducing confusion.
This is how users switch to a dark screen without straining their eyes during nighttime use.
Dark Mode
Key learnings
Conducting a survey and usability study before redesigning showed me how research can reveal friction points that assumptions miss — directly shaping decisions like better categorization, a download folder, and a rename feature. This taught me to let research drive design, not assumptions.
Telegram Redesign
This UX Research project aims to improve the user experience of the Telegram mobile app by providing better features based on user and market research.
Role
UX/UI Designer
Timeline
2 weeks, 2026
Services
UX Strategy, UI Design, Redesign, Information Architecture, Usability Testing
Tools
Figma
Telegram Redesign
This UX Research project aims to improve the user experience of the Telegram mobile app by providing better features based on user and market research.
Role
UX/UI Designer
Timeline
6 weeks, 2026
Services
UX Strategy, UI Design, Redesign, Information Architecture, Usability Testing
Tools
Figma
Process
PROBLEM
Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging app that has over 800 million monthly active users. It's an excellent platform for basic everyday usage. Most of people use for learning. However , Telegram's single UI with a mix of channels, individual conversations, and groups provides challenges for usability. It make confusing for novice user.
GOALS
The aim of the research is to improve the app's usability by simplifying its interface, hence minimizing user confusion and preventing feelings of being overwhelmed.
MY ROLE
Creating a user interface and conducting research on the user experience.
Research
The research using different online platforms was done through multiple digital streaming services. This research collected data on the user's requirements, behaviours , and points of frustration.
Qualitative research
I prepared some questions for doing qualitative research, which I then distributed around individuals in various social media groups and new users. The aim was to get useful data from users. Here are a few examples of sample questions.
1. What kind of work do you do?
2. How often do you use the social media?
3. Do you believe everything you see on social media?
4. Which apps do you use to chat with friends?
5. Do you like to share pictures or videos online?
6. Do you talk to people or share stuff on Telegram?
7. Have you ever learned something new or interesting
on Telegram?
8. Will you use Telegram more in the future?
9. What kind of content do you usually share with your
friends on Telegram?
10. Have you made any new friends online?
People use social media every day, mostly at night or when they have free time.
They mostly chat on WhatsApp , Facebook Messenger and sometimes on Telegram.
They enjoy sharing their photos and videos with friends.
Most people use Telegram for learning because it has a lot of study groups and channels .
Most people check if things are true before believing them on social media.
Some have met new friends in online groups of Telegram.
Quantitative research
I created a survey and shared it with people through various social media groups and new users to collect quantitative data. The goal was to understand user habits, preferences, and challenges through measurable insights. Here are a few examples of the survey questions.
1. Which device do you usually use to access Telegram?
Smart phone
71.4%
Computer
14.3%
Tablet
14.3%
2.Are Telegram's privacy settings satisfactory for you?
Yes
85.7%
No
14.3%
3.Which Telegram feature do you use the most?
Channels
85.7%
Group chats
14.3%
Secret chats
0%
4.Have recent updates to Telegram improved your satisfaction?
Yes
85.7%
No
14.3%
5.How long have you been using Telegram?
Less than 6 months
14.3%
6 months to a year
14.3%
More than a year
71.4%
Usability study
I conducted a usability study with target users to evaluate the app’s ease of use, identify pain points, and gather feedback for improvements.
Change new User name that you want to create new
Clear data from your Telegram to reduce your devices storage
Watch videos that you have been downloaded a few day ago or search the downloaded videos
Prompt 1
Findings
The username is in the edit page.
The edit icon is located at the top-right
corner of the home page.
Then tap the edit icon to change username.
I usually can find this features.
Prompt 2
Findings
Go to the search bar that is on the top
of the home page.
This displays chats, media and downloads etc.
Tap download button where the downloaded
videos are exited.
I can’t find the downloaded videos easily.
Prompt 3
Findings
Go to the settings of telegram.
Scroll down the menu and tap
“ data and storage”.
It was located at the bottom but
I can find easily because I usually clear
my storage and cache once a week.
Prompt 1
Prompt 2
Prompt 3
Watch videos that you have been downloaded
a few day ago, or search the downloaded videos.
Completion Rate
Easy to complete
Completed but with difficulty
Not completed
User 1
User 2
User 3
Change new Username that you want to create new.
Clear data from your telegram to reduce your
devices storage.
Creating personas that reflect different communication and content management behaviors
I created personas based on user research to better understand users' goals, frustrations, and challenges when using Telegram.
Curious Chloe
“I value learning and meaningful connections, but I need a simpler way to manage my digital life.”
PAIN POINTS
WORKAROUNDS
Not enough personal time.
Mutes less important groups and pins important chats to focus on what matters.
Has trouble quickly finding downloaded videos and files.
Uses the search bar and manually scrolls through chats or Saved Messages to locate files.
Finds it difficult to navigate because groups, channels, and personal chats are mixed in one interface.
Pins important chats and mutes unnecessary groups.
Designing an information architecture that supports clear navigation and content discovery
I created an information architecture based on user research to better understand how users expect content to be organized, labeled, and navigated when using Telegram.
Wireframe
Organizing channels, chats, and groups for easier navigation
By using a methodical categorization process to channels, individual chats, and groups, This approach has the potential to improve usability and reduce confusion for novice users.
Finding downloaded videos without the extra searching
Downloaded videos are hard to find since Telegram lacks a dedicated download folder in settings, unlike other apps — adding one would improve the user experience.
Renaming files for faster, more flexible searching
A rename feature was implemented to improve searchability and user experience. By giving files specific names, users can quickly find them, gaining more control over organization and reducing confusion.
Dark Mode
This is how users switch to a dark screen without straining their eyes during nighttime use.
Key learnings
Conducting a survey and usability study before redesigning showed me how research can reveal friction points that assumptions miss — directly shaping decisions like better categorization, a download folder, and a rename feature. This taught me to let research drive design, not assumptions.