CONtACT
App and cross device design
THE CHALLENGE
In the United states loneliness and social isolation are on the rise.
Due to factors like Covid, social media, political polarizations and plenty more, people are having less encounters and getting more lonely and disconnected.
Researches show that loneliness registers an impact on your well-being similar to that of smoking 15 cigarettes a day and rivals alcohol and smoking as a cause of early death.
THE GOAL
CONNECT AND ACT
Conn-act was conceived to encourage social interactions and ignite users' inclination to venture outdoors, discover new experiences, and engage with fellow individuals.
Through the development of an all-in-one application, we aim to seamlessly grant users access to a diverse array of activities, enriching content, and purpose-built communities tailored precisely to their unique requirements.
PROJECT DURATION
MY ROLE
Research. Ideation. Prototype
December 2022
THE RESEARCH
UNDERSTANDING THE USER
To establish a genuine user-centered design approach, I initiated interviews to uncover insights, pinpoint pain points, and delineate user traits. These findings were then leveraged to craft user personas, articulate problem statements, and construct comprehensive journey maps.
The research outcomes have directed my attention towards a specific demographic – adults and caregivers seeking a simplified and intuitive means to connect and explore outdoors, either with their family, friends, or even on their own.
PAIN POINTS
The personas represents a main group of adults and caregivers, ages range of 30 - 55 years old.
The primary pain points requiring resolution encompassed:
Uncertainty in activity searching.
Time consumption.
Apprehension of the unknown; users sought clarity on expectations before venturing out.
DESIGN PROCESS
Commencing the iterative process, I initiated with a rapid creation of paper wireframes. My emphasis was on crafting an accessible and straight forward design, ensuring that I address user needs while avoiding the introduction of new challenges.
PAPAER WIREFRAMES
My goal aimed at fostering connections among individuals and help their engagement in chosen activities.
I pursued a streamlined event layout to enable users to swiftly pinpoint events while concurrently diminishing uncertainty through informative details and user connections.
Mobile paper wireframes
Moving ahead with the development of digital wireframes, I have prioritized the core user requirements. The arrangement of elements follows Gestalt principles, ensuring an intuitive design that captivates user attention and maintains engagement.
Upon finalizing the set of sketches for the mobile app and digital wireframes, I employed a progressive enhancement strategy and crafted sketches tailored for a desktop screen size as an additional tool for the user.
With my focus shifted to larger screens and their increased real estate, I seamlessly integrated more content while maintaining a coherent and uninterrupted design tone.
DIGITAL WIREFRAMES
I initiated the digital wireframes design by outlining the main user flow.
The homepage displays a list of events articulated by the user’s wizard choices..
The user can change his preferences anytime to avoid unwanted clutter of activities.
Comprehensive information pages provide users with clarity and boost their confidence by setting clear expectations
Enhancing user convenience, tools become visible on-screen when hovered over, facilitating swift scheduling, saving for later, or sharing options
USABILITY STUDY
I executed a research plan and proceeded with an unmoderated usability study to ensure the user is kept front and centered.
This remote study involved 5 participants, lasting between 20 to 30 minutes, ensuring a thorough evaluation of user interactions.
Aligned with my research objectives, I opted to evaluate the following key performance indicators (KPIs): Time on task, conversion rate, and system usability scale.
By collating data and observations, I conducted a comprehensive analysis. This approach enabled me to derive valuable insights aimed at enhancing the overall user experience.
Throughout this process, I gained valuable insights with the following priorities:
Incorporating seamless chat and connection features for participants.
Introducing event presentation through a user-friendly calendar interface.
Addressing the absence of technical visual indicators.
REFINING THE DESIGN
I integrated my findings into the design iterations, repolishing the mockups based on the prioritized insights. Subsequently, I infused interactions to craft a high-fidelity prototype.
DEFINING THE VISUAL IDENTITY
SCREEN SIZE VERIATIONS
Given the attributes of the targeted user group, I opted for a progressive enhancement strategy.
Research indicated that the primary user demographic predominantly engages with the app via their mobile phones while conducting tasks both within their homes and while being outdoors.
The application ensures a seamless experience across devices, minimizing confusion and guiding users through their entire journey.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Gathering input from both peers and participants highlighted that the app followed a remarkably clear and smooth path. This clarity significantly influenced how users engaged with the experience, inspiring them to explore and engage in outdoor activities.
Moving forward, my next actions include:
Broadening the user base to encompass a wider audience.
Enhancing accessibility for elderly users.
Establishing partnerships with local community hubs like public libraries, community colleges, and centers for wider app access.
Collaborating with event organizers to provide financial support and discounts for users with limitations.
Forming alliances with transportation infrastructure providers to cater to diverse user needs, including those with limited access.