Abstract
Singapore’s robust digital infrastructure fosters a unique environment where social media platforms like TikTok significantly impact youth identity. This study investigates how design elements and user agency interact on TikTok to shape identity performance among female Singaporean Gen Zs. The paper analyses the content and profiles of prominent young women on TikTok in Singapore through case studies. Content analysis examines how design elements (e.g., music, editing, visuals) are utilised within content to construct and express identity. Scholars like José van Dijck of Platform Society and Platform Studies expert Jean-Christophe Plantin emphasised the transformative effect of digital technologies. Platform analysis will explore how TikTok’s design features influence content creation and identity performance. The paper identifies how young women leverage design elements on TikTok to express themselves and navigate the platform’s cultural landscape. The analysis explores how algorithmic curation and platform affordances interact with user agency in shaping identity performance. The case studies offer valuable insights into the interplay between design, user agency, and identity on TikTok. It contributes to understanding how young women navigate social media platforms to construct their identities within an algorithmically driven environment. Furthermore, the insights will allow businesses to create social media experiences that empower users to curate intellectually stimulating content and engage in meaningful discussions.
Presenters
Joselyn SimProgramme Leader, MA Design, School of Design Communication, Faculty of Design, LASALLE College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore, Singapore
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
SOCIAL MEDIA, TIKTOK DESIGN, USER AGENCY, DIGITAL MARKETING, ADVERTISING
