PoolSnac UX Project
Overview
I am in the process of creating an app through my online course with Coursera developed by Google. In this class you are given a randomly generated prompt, and you have to lead the design from beginning to end.
Goal
To make an app for users to access snacks, and have them delivered to a pool or beach front within the span of my class.
Scope
To make accessing snacks while in a location without any, an easy and quick process.
Target Audience
Users that are in locations where there are little to no options of small food items, and making them accessible.
Team
Patrick Conlan
Role
UX Researcher, UX Designer - Wire Framing Prototyping, Research, Design, Auditing, Interviewing.
"If an app could really send me drinks and snacks while I'm at the beach, it would make for such a better experience."
- Michael Towns
Challenge
The design was to make an app that provided users a way to order shop for snacks while pools side. I received this prompt and decided to take it a little further and make an app that delivered those snacks to both pool and beach front locations.
Solution
By using your cell phone, and providing a catalogue of items that can be delivered to you in your current location without the need to leave.
To have delivery drivers much like any modern food delivery app, as well as locations that are previously established to accurate drop offs.
Establishing Potential Users
Empathy personas were created to put myself in the shoes of the users, and consider what needs should be met. Giving me a good idea of what users might see as valuable.
Personas were established alongside Journey Maps and User Stories.
Understanding Competition
By creating competitive audits I was able to see what competitors are doing, and build off their successes, and not make similar mistakes.
I was also able to cater to the needs of my app design by molding their concepts into one that would benefit my design.
Illustrations
I then started illustrating different ways I saw the app layout. Doing this with pen and paper allowed me to wildly develop with no large amounts of time gained or lost.
Low-Fi Concepts
Once illustrations were made up I could get into making some low-fi concepts in Figma.
Conducted App Studies
After I made some low-fi concepts I was able to do my first app study. I brought in a grouping of 5 different users from different backgrounds to test the flow of the app before any large designs were made.
Reworking
Once the information was populated from the app study I was able to take that information and apply it in a redesign of the low-fi concept, and move forward with an early visual design.
I moved all the working pieces in a more fluid mapping, and added imagery, text, font, coloration, and animations.
2nd App Study
After I designed more visual aspects to the app, I went back and got another new grouping of potential users to work through the app with prompts to test its usability and to record any bumps in the design.
Final Work Flow
After it is all said and done, the final workflow is a web of directions showing where each button take you.
Final Product
Test Product
Takeaways
Impact
The app allows users to access their favorite snacks with out having to leave the space of a pool or beach.
What I learned
While designing the PoolSnac app, I learned that the first ideas for the app are only the beginning of the process. I found that the double diamond approach really is an asset when it comes to designing an app from scratch.
Next Steps
One Last Usability Study.
I want to insure that there are no more pain points when navigating the app.
Implement Any Last Changes.
If I find that there are areas that need adjustments, I will go through my process of finding solutions again and adjust the app as I learn.