LOCALIV
Uplifting local arts to build better communities
During the pandemic, communities around the world went quiet — galleries closed, performances halted, and artists lost the spaces that gave their work meaning.
At the same time, people who once found joy and belonging through local art, through music, murals, theater, and markets found their days growing quieter and less colorful.
Both sides felt the absence. Both longed for connection.
That longing became the starting point for Localiv, a platform designed to reconnect artists and audiences, helping people rediscover the vibrancy of their own communities through the arts.
Localiv is a new platform that solves this problem by centralizing relevant events, surfacing them intelligently, and making discovery effortless. It’s not just about showing events—it’s about helping users find the right experiences, at the right time, and take action immediately. By turning scattered opportunities into a clear, actionable hub, Localiv makes local engagement simple, reliable, and enjoyable, creating real value for users and communities alike.
THE CHALLENGE
bringing together local venues & artists to provide a culturally immersive experience as one rediscovers their local community
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global arts and culture ecosystem, with local artists among the most severely affected. Artists experienced widespread cancellations of exhibitions, performances, and workshops, significantly reducing their income and visibility.
How can we bridge the gap between local artists and the community to help revive and flourish the local arts and cultural scene, while fostering collaborative work among artists and generating revenue?
This effort, while stemming from the situation that arose out of a pandemic, aims to conceptualize the grassroot level efforts that is necessary to culturally revive local communities. Art is everywhere; we just have to get out there with the intention of engaging with it.
MY ROLE
product strategy & concept development
Defined the vision and purpose of Localiv, identifying the gap in how local artists and patrons connect, and shaping the app’s core value proposition by transforming an idea into a cohesive product vision.
design synthesis &
presentation
Framed Localiv as a potential real-world solution grounded in empathy and cultural impact. Synthesized research, process, and outcomes into a cohesive case study and vision pitch formed around design rationale and evolution.
branding &
storytelling
Built a compelling narrative around Localiv’s mission and identity by developing the brand story, logo concept, and tone of voice. Positioned Localiv as both a platform and a movement — a space where creativity ripples outward.
Defined the vision and purpose of Localiv, identifying the gap in how local artists and patrons connect, and shaping the app’s core value proposition by transforming an idea into a cohesive product vision.
UNDERSTANDING WhY THIS MATTERS
Understanding the importance of the arts in today's world and exploring their influence not just culturally but also socially and economically.
5.4M
1.17T
86%
Beyond its trillion-dollar economic contribution, the arts are a cornerstone of modern life — improving mental health, fostering community belonging, enhancing education, and even extending longevity. Evidence shows arts engagement lowers stress and depression, boosts cognitive health, and strengthens civic participation, making the arts not only an economic driver but a public health and cultural wellbeing asset.
Many people are unaware of local artists in their community and lack easy ways to discover or connect with them
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SCOPING OUT THE EXTENTS OF THE PROBLEM
Understanding the various facets of the problem and their extent of influence helps distill areas that I aim to tackle within the confines of this concept.
There’s no accessible platform for emerging artists to showcase their creativity within their community
Reduced exposure, income, and interaction are slowly eroding the vibrancy of the local arts scene
Artists’ earnings have declined as traditional avenues to reach audiences and sell work have diminished
Artists face fewer opportunities to collaborate, limiting creative exchange and the development of new work
COVID-19 disrupted traditional ways for artists to connect with people, limiting both social and cultural experiences
When artists struggle to be seen, the community loses a vital part of its cultural identity and vibrancy
Many artists are forced to take up other work to sustain themselves financially and as a result give up practising their art
SECONDARY RESEARCH - ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHIES
Understanding the various facets of the problem and their extent of influence helps recognize and distill areas that I aim to tackle within the confines of this concept.
Lost Art: Measuring COVID-19’s Devastating Impact on America’s Creative Economy
Richard Florida & Michael Seman, Brookings
Challenges and Opportunities Experienced by Performing Artists during COVID-19 Lockdown: Scoping Review
We need the tools of artists—their methods of public engagement, their capacity to build empathy and connection, their ability to reimagine spaces and processes and institutions
Art is Work : Policies to Support Creative Workers; American Academy of Arts & Sciences
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
Breaking down the various services that would encompass this product and learning from what others in similar realms are doing well to identify what would set Localiv apart from the rest.
Event Discovery
Artist Promotion
Financial Support
Community Engagement
CORE
OFFERING
AUDIENCE
FOCUS
General Public
Art Lovers
Musicians
Craft makers
Local Residents
Small Businesses
GEOGRAPHIC
ORIENTATION
Global Reach
Hyperlocal Exploration
Multi-language & Cultural
USER
EXPERIENCE
Search/discovery tools
Personalization
Artist profiles
Community features
MONETIZATION
MODELS
Advertisements
Ticketing
Subscriptions
Commissions
IDENTIFYING AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY
Upon identifying the core functionalities and analyzing how they work well in other applications, it was necessary to outline what would actually bring novelty to Localiv and in what areas it aims to move the proverbial needle.
what will
set it apart
PEOPLE-FIRST
DISCOVERY PLATFORM
Instead of attending one-off events, users can follow, support, and collaborate with local creators.
VISIBILITY FOR LOCAL EVENTS
CURATED
LOCAL FEED
Artists are discoverable by proximity, event involvement, or shared interests. Instead of endless global scrolling, Localiv helps users find “who’s creating near me.”
TRANSPARENT FINANCES + DIGITAL SUPPORT
Allow users to back local artists, attend pop-ups, or commission work nearby thus becoming the bridge between supporting local talent online and experiencing their art offline.
ART-FOCUSED
LOCAL NETWORK
Artists could host workshops, open studios, or performances, while residents can discover creative happenings in their neighborhood - all in one cohesive visually engaging space.
OUTREACH FOR
LOCAL ARTISTS
ENABLE
MONETIZATION
what will
get it
in the game
ENCOURAGING
COMMUNITY
Secondary Research
This is the space to introduce the Services section. Briefly describe the types of services offered and highlight any special benefits or features.
Infrastructure
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Technology
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Energy
Assess user experience across processes to highlight bottlenecks in major user flows like data loss and eliminate redundant practices.
Logistics
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Getting to know
our Users
I conducted user interviews with local artists, small business owners, and patrons of the arts to better understand how creativity moves through communities and where it sometimes stalls.
These conversations revealed more than just behaviors; they uncovered emotions, motivations, and challenges shared across the local arts ecosystem. The quotes are from real people, capturing their voices and perspectives, and offering a glimpse into the individuals at the heart of Localiv’s design.
"It’s hard to get people in my own city to even know I exist — I’m always competing with big names online"
“I rely on Instagram, but unless you already have followers, your work just gets lost.”
"We fund local arts initiatives, but it’s hard to measure how many people actually engage. We need something that not only promotes artists but also builds long-term relationships
between them and the community."
"People see my posts online, but it doesn’t translate into real-world engagement — I want to be seen in my community. Local art thrives when people engage with it"
“There are events happening all the time, but it’s exhausting to post in ten different places just to get noticed.”
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“I’d love to host local artists at my café, but I don’t have time to hunt them down on social media. There’s so much hidden talent in our city, we just need an easier way to connect."
-
“I always find out about cool art events after they happen — there’s no single place to see what’s going on. I never know where to start or who’s around me."
“It’d be nice if there was an app that just showed what’s happening in the local arts scene this weekend.”
"Artists here rarely know what others are doing — we could collaborate so much more if we had a space to find each other.”
It can be isolating being an artist; I miss that feeling of being part of a creative community."
WHO THIS IS FOR
Who I designed for
GOALS
Collaborate with artists for events, exhibitions, or performances. Share their space and businesses as a collaborative outlet for arts.
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS +
VENUE MANAGERS
Hard to find artists who match their space and audience vibe. Time consuming to source and work with artists who hav similar goals and vision.
PAIN POINTS
GOALS
Discover local art, attend curated events, support neighborhood talent. Reconnect with local artists and uplift the local arts community.
ART PATRONS
Hard to find authentic local experiences, everything feels scattered or over-commercialized.
PAIN POINTS
GOALS
Showcase their work, reach nearby audiences, find opportunities to sustain their means of making a living while not being forced to give up o their art.
LOCAL ARTISTS
Limited visibility, scattered event promotion, lack of sustainable community support, sparring growth due to competition from the "big names"
PAIN POINTS
THE CONNECTION
“It’s quiet… but it feels alive. I can finally breathe in my work.
"It’s like stepping inside someone else’s imagination...and it’s inviting.”
“I wanted to find something local, real… and now I have. Thanks for creating it.”
“And I needed someone to see it. Guess that makes two of us finding what we were missing.”
“I can see the community again, people engaging, talking, creating together. It feels like my work matters.”
“I’m not just watching art; I’m part of it now. It’s close, personal, and inspiring.”
As Lara and Siobhan take to exploring Localiv, for the first time, they’re part of something shared — though neither knows it yet. They haven’t met yet — but Localiv has placed them in the same orbit.
The space of art becomes a shared sanctuary, a bridge between their isolation and connection.
As this story closes, the artist and patron are no longer isolated figures; they’re part of a connected ecosystem of creators, spaces, and audiences.
Local living starts here at Localiv.
Because even the smallest ripple can awaken an entire community.
"Everything feels so dull. There's so much art out there to explore and engage with. I miss the color and the stories. I didn’t realize how much I relied on art to feel alive."
"I’d give anything to feel that spark again, that sense of being part of something beautiful. This silence is deafening. I can only imagine how much harder it is for artists trying to sustain through these difficult times."
THE PATRON'S DISCONNECT
"I wish I could discover something that makes me feel connected again. I wish there were a way to support them. They have had such a huge impact on me and have carried me out of several difficult situations in my life."
A SHARED LONGING
THE DISCOVERY
THE EXPLORATION
“what was that ad I just saw?
Events happening around me? Artists I can connect with and actually meet in person? I didn’t even know this existed.”
"Maybe this is how I bring that spark back in my life while rediscovering my creative inclinations. Oh Look! That artist I saw a year ago in Detroit is a Nashville local! She's performing on Saturday! I wonder if she got that album out!"
"creating is a means of escape. a rhythm that gives me purpose. Without shows, without people, who am I making this for anymore? Wasn’t art supposed to bring people together? "
"Lately, it feels like I’m creating into a void, in silence. It used to be easier to share my work. Now it feels like no one’s looking, and that worries me about how I will sustain."
THE ARTIST'S ISOLATION
A SHARED LONGING
"I wish there were a way to share my work again. To be seen by people who resonate with my creations is an indescribable feeling.
It makes you feel like you are part of something bigger than yourself and inspires you to create more. "
THE DISCOVERY
THE EXPLORATION
"What was that app that Shelly was telling me about? It helped her studio showcase get so much traction, and I have never seen her more fulfilled and connected. Localiv was it?"
"Maybe this is the way I reconnect with people with can truly appreciate my art. This is the space I can carve out for myself without having to worry about getting lost in the crowd - An orbit of my own. I am excited to see who i cross paths with."
WRITING THE TWO SIDES OF THE STORY
Before diving into wireframes or flows, I wanted to understand emotionally what drives people toward art and toward each other. Storyboarding became a way to visualize not just interactions within an app, but the yearning behind them: the search for connection, belonging, and inspiration that the arts bring to everyday life.
The storyboard follows two individuals - a patron and an artist - who have seen their worlds grow quieter and more distant since the pandemic. For the artist, creating is a means of survival and expression, yet she struggles to reach others. For the patron, life feels dimmer without art’s presence - a missing rhythm in her daily routine.
Their paths unfold in parallel: both are searching, longing, and imagining a way to reconnect. Until eventually, their stories converge, not by chance, but through a shared belief that creativity can bridge isolation.
Through this narrative, I aimed to ground Localiv in empathy - to see the world through the people it serves and illustrate how art has the power to make us feel seen, inspired, and human again.
The city has gone quiet.
Empty city streets, Gallery doors locked.
Faded event posters on poles.
The places that once held art and life now stand still.
chalking out Design GOALS
After understanding the emotions, motivations, and challenges of our users, the next step was to translate those insights into clear, actionable design goals. The story of Localiv - two worlds seeking connection through art - became the foundation for defining what the platform should enable and empower.
01
Empower Local Artists
Give artists the tools to share their work, stories, and events effortlessly — helping them gain visibility and connect with audiences who value their craft.
02
ENCOURAGE MEANINGFUL DISCOVERY
Move beyond algorithms and surface-level browsing. Localiv should help users discover art that feels personal, whether it’s a live performance, or a new collaboration forming nearby.
03
provide financial support
Enabling patrons to directly support artists through donations, commissions, event tickets, or art purchases, all within a transparent, community-driven framework.
04
Sustain Connection Beyond the Digital Space
Ensure that engagement on the platform translates into real-world interaction — exhibitions, performances, workshops, and shared experiences that strengthen local creative networks.
05
Foster Authentic Community Engagement
Create spaces where interaction doesn’t stop at appreciation. Patrons can reach out, attend events, or simply start conversations — all within a shared creative ecosystem.
WORKING out THE DETAILS
The goal of the wireframing stage was to define how people would move through the app, what actions mattered most, and how each interaction could carry forward the sense of flow.
Early sketches focused on creating a fluid and intuitive layout, where visual hierarchy guided attention without overwhelming users. Each screen was designed to feel open and inviting, mirroring the emotional tone established by the brand.
Through multiple iterations, I refined how information appeared and how users transitioned between sections, from browsing local events to exploring an artist’s story or initiating direct support.
branding localiv to life
At the heart of Localiv lies the idea of connection through creativity - that art has the power to bring people closer, spark joy, and strengthen communities. The brand was designed to embody this belief, translating the emotional and social value of the arts into a visual identity that feels warm, vibrant, and human.
the brand personality
Friendly & Approachable: The app should feel welcoming for both artists and patrons.
Vibrant & Creative: Colors, visuals, and typography reflect the richness of local art.
Trustworthy & Supportive: Users feel confident discovering artists or sharing their work.
Playful & Inspiring: Encourages exploration and sparks curiosity.
the moodboard
Vibrant · Inspiring · Approachable · explorative
The Ripple represents the biggest goal Localiv aims to achieve, a change that causes a ripple effect in the local arts community. It represents how one artist, one story, or one performance can extend its impact outward — touching lives, inspiring others, and creating waves of connection throughout a community. The ripple becomes a metaphor for the shared movement between artists and patrons, where creativity doesn’t just exist in isolation, but spreads and multiplies.
the ripple
bringing localiv to life
bringing localiv to life
Art isn’t just culture, it’s an economy, a community, and a source of wellbeing.
In the U.S. alone, the arts sector supports over 5.4 million jobs and contributes nearly $1 trillion to the GDP.
Yet during the pandemic, local artists lost their audiences, and communities lost their creative heartbeat. Galleries closed, performances stopped, and engagement dropped to historic lows.
Localiv is here to rebuild that bridge.
It’s a digital platform that helps people discover, support, and connect with local artists — turning neighborhoods back into creative ecosystems.
bringing localiv to life
discovery
features
marketplace
integration
community engagement tools
unique
artist profiles
local
event listings
A BRIEF NOTE BEFORE YOU GO
Localiv began as a design exploration rooted in empathy, aiming to reconnect artists and communities. Over the course of this project, the sketches and stories slowly became a vision for something that could be very real — a platform that could nurture creativity, visibility, and belonging within local communities.
BUT WHY?
A lot of the people I interviewed were local artists I connected with on Facebook groups or reached out to through small online communities. These were real people with a true dedication to their art, but were experiencing one of the toughest periods ever - COVID-19, with little to no cushion to fall back on. They passionately spoke about their collective love for art, all while facing the very real fear of having to give it up for the sake of a better, more stable life.
When asked if there was anything they wanted to ask me, they all had the same question - "Are you really going to build this?" or "When do we get to be on here?". They asked me this with a lot of hope and faith in someone they had just met.
Passion does not come easy and does not deserve to take a back seat for the sake of a stable life. This is a project I am genuinely passionate about bringing to life. If this concept resonates, or if you know individuals or teams interested in collaborating on its development, I would welcome the opportunity to connect. I wanted to make waves, so let's start with a Ripple.
Thank you for reading this far.
Sneha