The Internet Thanks For Your Data
Categories
School
·
Website
Year
2025
Duration
3 Months
Client
GBS
Overview & Concept
During our "Social Design" class, we were introduced to the concept of the same name. We learned that good design for good should bring value or meaningful information into people’s lives, or even solve human problems they might not yet be aware of.
With that in mind, our project was to create a digital experience, either an app or a website, that aims to inform, help, or raise awareness around a topic that matters.
I explored a lot of ideas and discussed them with both my classmates and teacher to figure out which one could be the most meaningful or helpful on a larger scale.
The concept I landed on was about raising awareness around how much personal data companies and websites collect — often without people truly realizing it. Every time someone clicks "I accept," they're unknowingly giving away access to data that can be tracked, sold to third parties, or even used to build detailed profiles about them.
Process
I chose to create a website because I wanted to bring the idea to life using Framer. To get started, I created a user flow to help guide which screens I needed and to organize my ideas more clearly. This step also helped me, with input from my teacher, to discard some concepts that were too complex or out of scope.
Since the deadline was tight, I skipped paper wireframes and jumped straight into digital ones. While this meant sacrificing a bit of experimentation, it helped speed up the overall process and keep things focused.
Visual Language
I wanted to keep the visuals simple but impactful. That’s why I chose a black-and-white color scheme with orange as an accent, to feel provocative and keep users alert throughout the experience. I also ran contrast checks to make sure everything remains accessible and easy to read.
To add a subtle “hacker” vibe, I went with a monospaced typeface. I also made the navigation part of the experience itself, helping users understand which “chapter” they’re in as they move through the site.
Content Research
Because I wanted users to feel the weight of what companies take from them, I knew the experience had to be grounded in real, meaningful facts. So I spent a good amount of time researching to make sure everything had context and impact.
To help users connect more personally with the topic, I added a feature where they can choose which company they want to explore. That, of course, led to even more deep dives into how each one handles (or mishandles) user data.
Interactions For a Memorable Experience
I wanted the experience to be memorable, something that would really stick with the user and make the message clear. So, I added a fake cookie banner at the start of the site, encouraging users to mindlessly click “accept.” Right after, they’re met with a playful message like “A photo of you has just been uploaded to social media,” followed by a quick explanation that it’s just part of the concept, to show how easily we give away consent without thinking.
To make the user feel more engaged, I designed each section to be interactive in a different way. The idea was to pull them deeper into the story, not just have them scroll. Of course, this came at a cost, some interactions just don’t translate well to mobile without a mouse. Still, I tried my best to make sure the experience works across all viewports.
Project Takeaways
Developing this website alongside such an interesting concept was a really rewarding experience. It gave me the chance to experiment with different techniques to make the site feel more engaging and memorable.
Along the way, I also learned a lot about what really hides behind the simple “I Accept” button and got to share that with others who might be ready to think twice before clicking.
Some ideas had to be left out or simplified due to time constraints, even though I would’ve loved to explore them further.
Feel free to explore the site at https://theinternetthanksforyourdata.framer.website and see for yourself what kind of data companies are collecting from you.