The idea

SpinPin started with a bold ambition: to make journalism something anyone could participate in. The vision was to turn everyday people into local storytellers — capturing moments, sharing observations, and documenting what’s happening around them in real time.

The opportunity

SpinPin came to us with a compelling idea, a location-first social platform where everyday users could post what’s happening around them, and have it instantly pinned to a live map. While the concept was unique, the success of the product would depend entirely on how usable, engaging, and scalable the experience could become.

Our challenge wasn’t just to design an app — it was to define a digital product that transforms hyperlocal storytelling into a cohesive social experience. One that works on mobile and desktop, supports real-time engagement, and allows communities to form and grow naturally.

What the client wanted

The client wanted to create a platform that didn’t just share content, but connected people around place-based narratives. They envisioned a hybrid of social media and geo-intelligence — a system that could surface what’s happening right now, right where you are.

They needed a product that could handle live location mapping, public and private community creation, story-based posts, and content that’s grouped by relevance — all built with a visual identity that would resonate with a new generation of civic-minded users.

How we helped

From the outset, we worked as a strategic partner — not just designing screens, but helping shape how the product would function, grow, and resonate with its users.

We began by helping the client define the core experience structure — balancing map-based exploration with a scrollable timeline, so users could seamlessly switch between spatial awareness and story depth. This dual-view system became the foundation for how people interact with content on SpinPin: discover on the map, dive in through the feed.

The strategy we adapted

From the outset, we worked as a strategic partner — not just designing screens, but helping shape how the product would function, grow, and resonate with its users.

We began by helping the client define the core experience structure — balancing map-based exploration with a scrollable timeline, so users could seamlessly switch between spatial awareness and story depth. This dual-view system became the foundation for how people interact with content on SpinPin: discover on the map, dive in through the feed.

Creating a design that resonates

Designing for a community-driven platform meant shaping a brand that feels open, expressive, and trustworthy. We created a distinct visual identity that stood out from traditional social media interfaces — using bold colors, approachable iconography, and interactive map gestures that invited curiosity.

We made deliberate choices around typography, spacing, and icon weight to balance energy with clarity. It was important to us that users felt empowered to contribute, not overwhelmed by complexity. The UI was stripped of unnecessary friction, making room for what matters most: stories, moments, and reactions.

SpinPin’s design system was built to adapt from dense mobile timelines to wide-screen map exploration on desktop. Component we created served a clear purpose and could scale with the product’s future needs.

We addressed their business goals by anchoring the experience around local relevance — making sure that the first thing a user sees is what’s happening near them, not what’s trending globally.

Final thoughts

SpinPin is a reflection of what happens when vision meets execution — and when product design is grounded in purpose. What began as an idea became a living product with a clear voice, intuitive interactions, and a strong visual identity — all shaped to support growth, community, and clarity.

At Grand, we brought structure to the complexity, defined what mattered, and helped SpinPin launch with confidence. From interaction patterns to emotional tone, every decision we made was about creating value — for the user, for the business, and for the future of the platform.