REDnote Group Check-in
Group Check-in (群打卡) is a REDnote group chat feature which allows users to track their journey while fostering new habits, as well as share and engage with the community effortlessly. Throughout the entire development process, I took part as the lead designer, from early-stage concepts to final implementation.
Based on user habits and expectations, the creation of Group Check-in reflects our commitment to not only fulfilling user needs but also redefining them, pushing the experience to a new level.
With a wide range of customization options and a seamless integration of motivation systems, Group Check-in embraces the unique character of the REDnote community, marking another milestone in our journey to make the REDnote group chat experience truly one of a kind.
Background
Check-in,
better together
By 2023, two years after the launch of group chat on REDnote, it had grown into a diverse and dynamic ecosystem shaped by user interactions. Different types of groups naturally emerged, catering to various needs and interests.
Among them, check-in groups became a prominent category, where users formed communities around shared habits and routines, documenting their progress through text and images to encourage and motivate each other. However, this self-organized check-in process lacked a systematic structure, making it difficult for users to review progress, reflect on achievements, and fully engage in the experience. To address these limitations, introducing a native group check-in feature became a necessary step.
Through research and analysis of existing check-in groups, we identified a strong demand—particularly among students—for a structured, seamless way to track progress.
Our vision
Experience beyond conversations
At REDnote, group chat is more than just exchanging messages—it’s about creating a dynamic, vibrant, multifunctional space where communities can interact in meaningful ways.
As we continue to expand the group chat experience with features like voting, voice rooms, and AI chat, the addition of Group Check-in takes engagement even further. It offers users a seamless way to track progress, build habits, and stay motivated together.
With native check-in feature, users can document their habits, engage with peers, and strengthen group dynamics in a more structured and intuitive way. This feature is designed not only to increase interaction but also to enhance group retention by fostering consistent participation and shared motivation.
Challenges
Crafting a feature distinctly RED
For a feature that has been available on other platforms or as standalone apps, we at REDnote never intended to copy the existing solutions. It’s always the creativity that makes our platform and community shine. Thus, ensuring the check-in feature felt distinct and seamlessly integrated within REDnote group chats and the community was a key challenge in terms of design.
When the project was initiated in early October 2023, the overall planning and interactions were still vague—only broad concepts existed without detailed interaction design. Given the limited development resources, estimating workload was difficult. As a designer, I took a user-centered approach from the initial interaction drafts, proactively filling in gaps in the solution to accelerate product finalization. This helped transition the concept from brainstorming to execution efficiently.
There are already a multitude of habit tracking apps on the App Store
Getting hands on
Laying out the targets
- More motivation, less effort. An all-in-one hub for you to stay on track together.
- Seamless integration. A feature that is designed to be intuitive and blends itself into group chats.
- State-of-art toolkit. Whether it’s settings, reminders, or notifications, everything’s got covered.
- Fun and iconic. An engaging experience that sparks curiosity—customizable to make it truly yours.
- Social made easier. Spark engagement in group chats through seamless sharing and motivation.
- Stronger connections. Build vibrant communities where shared goals turn into lasting engagement.
Visual system
Vibrant by design, adaptable to you
From the very beginning, we defined the visual system as a core philosophy of our design approach. With a multitude of habits and interests shaping our daily lives, there was no better choice than to create a colorful and customizable experience that reflects individuality and motivation.
The system supports four distinct color themes, automatically adapting to light and dark mode for a seamless experience. With over 60 unique icons, every check-in feels personal and lively, making the journey more engaging and enjoyable.
More than just aesthetics, this visual approach ensures that every user can find a design that resonates with them, reinforcing the idea that habit-building should be both motivating and rewarding.
A subset of over 60 preset icons
Four theme colors available in both light and dark shades
Simplified onboarding
Quick-start made effortless
Starting a check-in has never been easier. We’ve curated over 60 commonly used check-in types from the REDnote community, with popular options pinned for quick access. Each type comes with a matching icon, allowing users to get started in just a few taps.
For those who need more customization, options like descriptions, time limits, and formats ensure group members can log their progress in a structured way. Since the hardest part of building a habit is getting started, we’ve streamlined the process to make it as effortless as possible.
Group integration
Simply seamless and familiar
As we expand the features of group chat, we always keep in mind that any addition should never complicate the user experience. We strictly adhere to a design guideline we set, based on which we integrate the new functionalities without adding unnecessary complexity.
Once created, the check-in button will be accessible right above the input box, alongside other quick-access buttons like AI chatbots. This ensures that check-ins are instantly accessible without disrupting the chat experience.
Main page
A hub to track everything
Stay on top of your progress with an intuitive check-in homepage.
With the centralized design, users can see their check-in history displayed through a calendar view and timeline, making it easy to track how many days they’ve logged and maintain streaks. Every past check-in is preserved, turning the timeline into a personal journey of growth and persistence.
Check-in experience
Every check-in tells a story
Check-ins go beyond just logging data—they’re shared moments. Users can add photos alongside text, and once a check-in is completed, it’s automatically posted to the group chat in a specially designed check-in card format. This ensures check-in updates stand out visually, encouraging others to engage and participate.
Personal timeline
A chronicle of your dedication
Personal timeline presents a detailed, chronological record of check-ins, allowing users to revisit past entries, photos, and notes. It transforms habit tracking into a visual and personal story, reinforcing motivation through progress reflection.
Calendar view
See your streaks at a glance
Calendar view offers a bird’s-eye look at check-in history, making it easy to spot streaks and track consistency at a glance. Every successful check-in is marked, helping users stay accountable and celebrate milestones.
Personalized reminders
A gentle push right when you need it
Never miss a check-in with customizable reminders. Users can set daily notifications at their preferred time to help them stay consistent, reinforcing habit-building without unnecessary distractions.
Motivation system
Stay motivated, achieve more
To make check-ins more fun and rewarding, we’ve introduced an achievement system. Users can unlock milestones like being among the first three daily check-ins, completing 30-day streaks, or achieving weekly and monthly full attendance.
All six achievements—plus more to come—can be shared in the group and showcased on leaderboards, making progress tracking both engaging and motivating.
Leaderboards
A little competition, a lot of motivation
Stay motivated by seeing where you stand. The ranking tab allows users to view weekly, monthly, and all-time leaderboards, showcasing high achievers and those who maintain full-week or full-month streaks. Friendly competition helps keep the momentum going.
Group feed
Share, connect, get inspired
Get inspired by others’ progress. The check-in feed tab organizes all group check-ins in chronological order, making it easy to see what others are logging and stay engaged. And of course, every check-in is also shared in the group chat in real time through the check-in card system, keeping motivation high within the community.
Launch feedback
The promise we delivered
Since the launch of the Group Check-In Feature, it has rapidly become an integral part of how communities engage on REDnote and that has way exceeded our expectations.
The adoption of check-ins has exceeded expectations, with participation spreading organically across diverse group categories. A significant portion of active groups that introduced the feature have seen consistent engagement, proving that check-ins are more than just an add-on, instead, they are shaping how communities interact.
Beyond group creation and adoption, the success of check-ins is further demonstrated by how effortlessly users transition from interest to active participation. Once inside the check-in detail page, the majority of users don’t just browse—they participate. The feature’s seamless integration and user-friendly design ensure that check-ins feel like an organic part of the group experience, enhancing interaction without disrupting the conversation flow.
With check-ins now an essential part of REDnote’s group experience, we are seeing a shift in how users connect and support each other. What started as a simple way to track habits has evolved into a powerful engagement driver, strengthening communities and fostering deeper connections across the platform.
