Case Study
End to End App
STAY ACCOUNTABLE OF TASKS AND GOALS WITH THE HELP OF YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH ;)
SCOPE
PROBLEM
GOALS
Role UX Researcher, UX Designer, UI Designer, Branding
Tools Figma, Illustrator, Photoshop
Timeline 6 Weeks
Users will create routines and reminders that will enhance engagement of their health and wellness goals.
Make a simpler app with less focus on workout statistics and intimidating metrics like weight loss.
Create and end-to-end app in which users can set goals and actually stay on track to meet them with the help of a motivational life coach. Based on real people, powered through AI.
As motivational and health focused apps are highly popular, users tend to disengage faster than other apps like gaming and social media, most people abandon such apps after 3 months.
The main feature of the app will be “hiring” an AI generated life coach who keeps in touch with daily or weekly reminders to keep users on track.
Coaches will be based on your celebrity crush or role model (performers, influencers, reality tv stars) to encourage motivation and usage.
KEY PHASES
DISCOVER
What We Know
Background Info
58% of people with a smartphone have downloaded an app related to health and fitness
While there are MANY apps that set and track wellness goals, 71% of of users abandon their apps after 3 months
Millennials are the most active users of fitness apps
The Dopamine Loop: Engaging with our smartphones and texting creates a “dopamine loop,” making us seek more interaction and feel rewarded when we receive it.
The personal, emotional connections forged through texting truly showcase its power. In the realm of modern love, texting facilitates a constant, intimate link between individuals, allowing for the continuous exchange of affection, support, and even romantic gestures.
The unpredictable nature of receiving texts and the “variable reward schedules” used by social media mimic natural dopamine-driven learning strategies, keeping us engaged in the loop of seeking and receiving.
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
Of the many apps available for tracking health and wellness goals, three popular ones were chosen to gain insight on what works well and what doesn’t for a potential user. Results yielding:
pros:
Access to an vast amount of data metrics from physical activities
Offers a free version
Keeps all the health metrics in one place
Requires that users set goals to reach
Strong integration with outside apps
Aesthetically pleasing platform
Help users develop good habits and daily routines
The usability of the platform is super easy
cons:
Users need to purchase a device to track metrics
If you are not into competitive aspects of working out, it might be best to use another app
In order to enjoy it fully, you have to be a premium member
Hard to make changes to lists after you’ve created them.
Creating an entire schedule at once can be overwhelming
USER INTERVIEWS
Interviews were conducted to discover
-users current methods of health and wellness tracking apps,
-pros and cons of collecting and sharing metrics across platforms
-general motivational factors for overall well being
-pros and cons of social media engagement likes, messages, new followers, etc
Occupations among the people interviewed were
48 y/o Female medical professional 🚺
42 y/o Male finance professional 🚹
36 y/o Female freelance interior designer 🚺
28 y/o Female in an entry-level marketing position 🚺
29 y/o Male civil engineer 🚹
Interview Question Samples
Data from interviews were gathered into an affinity map to help sort out and streamline user issues.
-users are willing to implement health and wellness suggestions from an outside source
-users do not care for the competitive aspect of most health and wellness apps that focus
mostly on metrics and numbers
-users tend to get motivation from reading / music / podcasts
-users have someone they idolize and keep up with in the news or on social platforms
-users like to keep their progress private to avoid intimidation
-users have experienced a sense appreciation and reward from likes on social media
-users have experienced a sense of optimism, interest, anticipation, and open mindedness
when using dating apps
Notable Findings
USER PERSONA
Our persona was created to help ideate and conceive ideas that will be most beneficial to Hayden. A busy professional who needs help managing and keeping up with life goals.
Hayden feels that most apps waste too much time or feel like a chore. She is not interested in competing with other users or obsessing over success metrics.
Hayden would like to be accountable for her overall health and wellness goals while maintaining a balanced work / life schedule. She is hopeful to achieve physical and mental wellbeing through a gentler approach to motivation.
DEFINE
APP MAP
Users new to the app will begin by entering data according to their goals. Wether its a skincare routine, dietary restrictions, financial accountability or appointments.
Users returning to the app are able to go through each routine and easily make adjustments.
USER FLOWS
The app is mostly data entry, until you match with your coach.
DEVELOP
LOW FI SKETCHES
Knowing there would be a lot of data entry I quickly sketched out some screens to get a better idea of the interactivity that the app would require.
WIREFRAMES
ONBOARDING FLOW
Wireframes were created to visualize each stepping stone of the users journey.
Since there are many steps involved for new users I wanted the process to feel simple and clean.
SKINCARE ROUTINE FLOW
CALENDAR FLOW
SIDEPEACE FLOW
USER INTERFACE
UI elements were chosen based on the concept of being inviting, appealing, and comfortable.
The colors were are based on researched psychological concepts of stability / calm / balance / optimism
Visual Conception of SidePeace
USER TESTING INSIGHTS
For the most part, the 5 people that tested the app were able to complete each flow with ease.
PROS
User-friendly interface and comprehensive features, an entertaining idea for an app
CONS
Even though there is main navigation available on all screens, it was brought to my attention that it is a bit confusing to go between the structure of the whole entire app; acccount info, data entry points vs the three main feature of Side Peace which is Routines, Calendar, and your SidePeace / Coach.
Despite these challenges, the app is generally well-received for its capabilities in keeping track of overall wellness and goals.
ITERATIONS
As mentioned above, even though the full navigation is available at the bottom of all screens, it can seem sterile and even go unnoticed as users are accustomed to having a nav bar on most apps. Even though its built in there its almost too familiar that it goes unnoticed. Since the app is a fun concept I am going to add some graphic navigation elements higher up on the screen.
BEFORE
AFTER
added frequented icons for ease of use
IN CONCLUSION
I had a lot of fun with this project. I didn’t have to completely “reinvent the wheel” I just wanted to make a simplified, fun, less demanding type of app in the wellness and goal-setting sphere.
During the process I did learn that in creating something new is hard to get people on board and see your vision until you are in the final stages.
My mentor suggested I use a template, in the end I made the app from scratch which gave me more freedom to move forward with confidence.
I like to think that users will be able to accomplish milestones and make progress with their goals by using an app that actually has them doing LESS. No sharing, no competition, just you and your SidePeace!
End to End App
STAY ACCOUNTABLE OF TASKS AND GOALS WITH THE HELP OF YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH ;)
SCOPE
Create and end-to-end app in which users can set goals and actually stay on track to meet them with the help of a motivational life coach. Based on real people, powered through AI.
PROBLEM
As motivational and health focused apps are highly popular, users tend to disengage faster than other apps like gaming and social media, most people abandon such apps after 3 months.
GOALS
Users will create routines and reminders that will enhance engagement of their health and wellness goals.
Make a simpler app with less focus on workout statistics and intimidating metrics like weight loss.
The main feature of the app will be “hiring” an AI generated life coach who keeps in touch with daily or weekly reminders to keep users on track.
Coaches will be based on your celebrity crush or role model (performers, influencers, reality tv stars) to encourage motivation and usage.
DISCOVER
Research
Interviews
Affinity Map
User Persona
DEFINE
Task Flow
User Flow
Mapping
DEVELOP
Sketeches
Wireframes
UI Screens
DELIVER
Prototype Testing
Iterations
Final Prototype
Conclusion
KEY PHASES
DISCOVER
What We Know
58% of people with a smartphone have downloaded an app related to health and fitness
While there are MANY apps that set and track wellness goals, 71% of of users abandon their apps after 3 months
Millennials are the most active users of fitness apps
Background Info
The Dopamine Loop: Engaging with our smartphones and texting creates a “dopamine loop,” making us seek more interaction and feel rewarded when we receive it.
The personal, emotional connections forged through texting truly showcase its power. In the realm of modern love, texting facilitates a constant, intimate link between individuals, allowing for the continuous exchange of affection, support, and even romantic gestures.
The unpredictable nature of receiving texts and the “variable reward schedules” used by social media mimic natural dopamine-driven learning strategies, keeping us engaged in the loop of seeking and receiving
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
Of the many apps available for tracking health and wellness goals, three popular ones were chosen to gain insight on what works well and what doesn’t for a potential user. Results yielding:
pros
Access to an vast amount of data metrics from physical activities
Offers a free version
Keeps all the health metrics in one place
Requires that users set goals to reach
Strong integration with outside apps
Aesthetically pleasing platform
Help users develop good habits and daily routines
The usability of the platform is super easy
cons
Users need to purchase a device to track metrics
If you are not into competitive aspects of working out, it might be best to use another app
In order to enjoy it fully, you have to be a premium member
Hard to make changes to lists after you’ve created them.
Creating an entire schedule at once can be overwhelming
USER INTERVIEWS
Interviews were conducted to discover
-users current methods of health and wellness tracking apps,
-pros and cons of collecting and sharing metrics across platforms
-general motivational factors for overall well being
-pros and cons of social media engagement likes, messages, new followers, etc
Occupations among the people interviewed
48 y/o Female medical professional 🚺
42 y/o Male finance professional 🚹
36 y/o Female freelance interior designer 🚺
28 y/o Female in an entry-level marketing position 🚺
29 y/o Male civil engineer 🚹
Data from interviews were gathered into an affinity map to help sort out and streamline user issues.
NOTEABLE FINDINGS
-users are willing to implement health and wellness suggestions from an outside source
-users do not care for the competitive aspect of most health and wellness apps that focus
mostly on metrics and numbers
-users tend to get motivation from reading / music / podcasts
-users have someone they idolize and keep up with in the news or on social platforms
-users like to keep their progress private to avoid intimidation
-users have experienced a sense appreciation and reward from likes on social media
-users have experienced a sense of optimism, interest, anticipation, and open mindedness
when using dating apps
Our persona was created to help ideate and conceive ideas that will be most beneficial to Hayden. A busy professional who needs help managing and keeping up with life goals.
Hayden feels that most apps waste too much time or feel like a chore. She is not interested in competing with other users or obsessing over success metrics.
Hayden would like to be accountable for her overall health and wellness goals while maintaining a balanced work / life schedule. She is hopeful to achieve physical and mental wellbeing through a gentler approach to motivation.
USER PERSONA
POV
Exploring new ways to help motivated, wellness focused people
To have an easier time keeping up with goals
Because most goal keeping apps are discouraging
HMW
How might we assist motivated, wellness focused people
To be able to reach goals in a less stressful manner
Because of a more relatable way of achieving goals
DEFINE
APP MAP
Users new to the app will begin by entering data according to their goals. Wether its a skincare routine, dietary restrictions, financial accountability or appointments.
Users returning to the app are able to go through each routine and easily make adjustments.
USER FLOWS
The app is mostly data entry, until you match with your coach.
DEVELOP
LOW FI SKETCHES
Knowing there would be a lot of data entry I quickly sketched out some screens to get a better idea of the interactivity that the app would require.
Wireframes were created to visualize each stepping stone of the users journey.
Since there are many steps involved for new users I wanted the process to feel simple and clean.
WIREFRAMES
ONBOARDING FLOW
SKINCARE ROUTINE FLOW
CALENDAR FLOW
SIDEPEACE FLOW
USER INTERFACE
UI elements were chosen based on the concept of being inviting, appealing, and comfortable.
The colors were are based on researched psychological concepts of
stability / calm / balance / optimism
VISUAL CONCEPT of SidePeace
DELIVER
FINAL SCREENS
USER TESTING INSIGHTS
For the most part, the 5 people that tested the app were able to complete each flow with ease.
PROS
User-friendly interface and comprehensive features, an entertaining idea for an app
CONS
Even though there is main navigation available on all screens, it was brought to my attention that it is a bit confusing to go between the structure of the whole entire app; acccount info, data entry points vs the three main feature of Side Peace which is Routines, Calendar, and your SidePeace / Coach.
Despite these challenges, the app is generally well-received for its capabilities in keeping track of overall wellness and goals.
As mentioned above, even though the full navigation is available at the bottom of all screens, it can seem sterile and even go unnoticed as users are accustomed to having a nav bar on most apps. Even though its built in there its almost too familiar that it goes unnoticed. Since the app is a fun concept I am going to add some graphic navigation elements higher up on the screen.
ITERATIONS
BEFORE
AFTER
added frequented icons for ease of use
FINAL PROTOTYPE
(best viewed on figma app)
IN CONCLUSION
I had a lot of fun with this project. I didn’t have to completely “reinvent the wheel” I just wanted to make a simplified, fun, less demanding type of app in the wellness and goal-setting sphere.
During the process I did learn that in creating something new is hard to get people on board and see your vision until you are in the final stages.
My mentor suggested I use a template, in the end I made the app from scratch which gave me more freedom to move forward with confidence.
I like to think that users will be able to accomplish milestones and make progress with their goals by using an app that actually has them doing LESS. No sharing, no competition, just you and your SidePeace!