Redesigning Territories V2 — Part 2: The Process

by Kevin Jiang & Rachel Chak

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TLDR; T2's Territories V2 redesign addresses key user challenges with a dynamic multi-column layout, improved navigation, and better content discovery. Guided by the principles of Pluralism, Trust, Circularity, and Sensitivity, Part Two delves into the redesign process and how we created a more interactive, personalized, and accessible space for community-driven publications.

Read Part 1 here.

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Territories began from a vision of connecting writers and readers over niche shared interests. Since its launch, over 100 Territories have been developed on t2. We’ve seen collective storytelling experiments in t/TTPRG, writing competitions in t/FriendsWhoWrite and t/Horror, and cultural communities such as t/SITIO. Through ongoing conversations with our Territory admins and members, we realised that while our initial infrastructure laid the groundwork for Territories, we were only scratching the surface of what Territories can evolve to truly meet the growing needs and visions of each community.

Our team decided to take a step back to reflect internally on what constitutes good design at t2, which led to establishing our design principles — Pluralism, Trust, Circularity, and Sensitivity — which we introduced in Part 1. With the insights from workshops and interviews with new and existing users, we were able to distill down a new scaffolding for the next evolution of Territories: a more dynamic, interactive, and accessible space for community-driven publications. In Part 2, we’ll share the design process, and how we addressed core challenges in navigation, content discovery, and membership pathways.

Crafting a new navigation and discovery UX framework

When we started this redesign journey, we knew we needed a fresh approach to how people navigate and explore Territories. We dove into user testing and ran some design principle workshops, and girl, did we uncover some interesting stuff.

We found that our new and existing users were hitting roadblocks in a few key areas:

1. The concept of a Territory was confusing. People couldn't easily figure out what they were getting into or who else was there.
2. New members were unsure how to contribute once they joined.
3. We were burying the good stuff. Posts were hidden, and navigating between content types was a pain.

We also distilled two core themes that guided our redesign process:

1. Modularity: The need for a flexible structure supporting diverse experiences across different roles aligned with our principle of Pluralism. Each Territory could transform into a unique ecosystem where users could interact and explore in ways that felt natural to them.
2. Personalization: Feedback indicated a desire for an interface that adapts to user preferences. Whether in exploratory mode for content discovery, deep focus mode, or community engagement, we aimed to enable navigation options that dynamically adjust based on user intent.

With these goals in mind, we started working on some lo-fi concepts, focusing on higher-level information and content architecture, clarifying how people can participate in Territories and surfacing valuable content more effectively. We explored the following directions in our initial wireframing:

1. Dynamic Columns & Floating UI Elements: This approach aimed to surface more content through multi-column layouts and collapsible panels, creating a more immersive experience. It allowed users to switch between content and context for a comprehensive view. The challenge was balancing information density with clarity, ensuring that the increased content didn't overwhelm users. A floating UI was also explored to create a more tactile, layered experience, allowing users to access content without leaving their current view. However, it added complexity and cognitive load, making navigation less intuitive. Ultimately, we deprioritized it in favor of a more modular and scalable design.

2. Flat Columns: This direction offered a streamlined interface, reducing information density and distractions for users who preferred a simpler navigation experience, offering users a more familiar layout to current social platforms. While it effectively reduced friction and clarified participation pathways, the design lacked the scalability and flexibility needed for Territories' evolving ecosystem. It couldn't accommodate diverse user interactions, multiple activities, or the hierarchical structure required for different membership roles.

Throughout this process, we grappled with balancing accessibility and information density while finding the right mix between an app-like and web-like experience. The Explore page emerged as a crucial hub for content discovery.

User testing highlighted a strong preference for clear navigation paths and robust filtering options, aligning with our principles of Pluralism and Circularity. This feedback guided us in creating a design that offers diverse user experiences while balancing familiarity with innovation.

After thorough exploration and team discussions, we aligned on a direction that best embodied our design principles: a dynamic column layout with tabular navigation. This approach struck a balance between high information density and user-friendly navigation, allowing us to present comprehensive content without overwhelming users.

Introducing Territories V2's New Look: Key Improvements

01 Dynamic Column Layout: Balancing Information Density and Clarity

Before: Single-column, linear design. After: Flexible 2-3 column layout with collapsible panels.

The new dynamic multi-column layout represents a fundamental shift in how users interact with the Territory. This design supports Pluralism by accommodating diverse content presentation and user preferences. It's sensitive to user needs, reducing cognitive load and allowing for a more personalized browsing experience. Users can now collapse or expand columns, tailoring their view to their current task or preference.

02 Tab-based Navigation: Dedicated Content and Community Spaces

Before: One-dimensional, limited content discovery.
After: Tab-based structure (Explore, Community) with a streamlined information architecture.

We've reimagined the navigation structure to embody Pluralism and Circularity. The new tab-based layout offers multiple pathways for engagement, clearly separating content exploration from community interactions. This design creates clear loops between discovering content and engaging with other members, supporting a more intuitive and engaging user journey.

03 Enhanced Content Exploration

Before: Limited sorting options, buried content.
After: Robust filtering and sorting, pill-style filters for easy navigation.

Content discovery has been significantly improved with enhanced filtering and sorting options. This change promotes Pluralism by allowing users to find diverse content categories that interests them, and personalized filtering such as “Posts You’ve Read” or “Live Prompts By You.”

04 Unified Writing Creation Experience

Before: Separate CTAs for prompts and posts, leading to confusion.
After: Combined CTA leading to a modal that explains differences.

To streamline the content creation process, we've introduced a unified writing CTA. This combined approach builds Trust by providing clear guidance on contribution types, supporting Circularity by creating a smooth path from content consumption to creation. The new modal explains the differences between prompts and posts, ensuring users can make informed decisions about their contributions.

05 Revamped Content Card Interactions

Before: Cluttered information display, harsh grid/container design.
After: Cleaner UI with information revealed on hover, softer visual boundaries.

We've refined how users interact with content cards, showing Sensitivity to the user experience by reducing visual clutter. Information is highlighted on hover, providing a cleaner interface while still ensuring all necessary details are accessible. This approach reflects Circularity by modernizing the interaction while maintaining an intuitive, familiar experience that evolves with user needs.

06 Territory-Content Breadcrumbs

Before: Single back icon with territory name.
After: Hierarchical breadcrumb navigation showing content relationships.

This feature visually represents relationships between different levels of content, allowing users to navigate between Territories and their corresponding posts and prompts. The introduction of hierarchical breadcrumbs enhances Sensitivity providing clear, intuitive pathways that empower users to confidently explore complex content without confusion.

07 Log-out view of Territory

Before: Territories only accessible to logged-in T2 users.
After: Public, logged-out state for Territories with limited functionality.

We've introduced a public-facing version of Territories, allowing non-T2 users to explore content without an account. This feature enables content sharing and community discovery, offering a meaningful preview of the T2 experience. While some features require login, the core browsing experience remains accessible, building Trust with potential users as they explore and find their ideal Territories.

What’s Next and Future Directions for Territories

This redesign process reinforced the importance of collaborative dreaming and alignment. By creating space for blue-sky thinking and precisely defining our goals, we were able to push boundaries while staying true to our vision. Our design principles served as a crucial guide, helping us navigate complex decisions and ensuring consistency throughout the project.

Looking ahead, we’re excited about the possibilities this new framework opens up. The enhanced layout offers greater personalization, a more immersive user experience, and broader support for community content publishing, ensuring Territories remain a thriving space for writers, creators, and their communities. As we continue refining these features, we’re committed to making Territories an ever more dynamic and engaging space for writer creators and their communities.