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Finding the right place to get work done
Solo UX / UI
1 Week Sprint
Mobile Platform
The Problem
People with remote jobs are spending more time trying to find a place to work rather than getting work done
The Solution
An app that allows users to discover the best location to work based on what environment or amenities they need
Background
is an online community of remote workers
Goal:
Create an app that makes it easy for remote workers to find a place to work
Task:
Design a minimum viable product (MVP), following GV's 5 days Design Sprint.
Design Sprint Process
Since I was the only one involved in this project, I took a modified approach, where I combined day 3 and 4.
Constraints to Consider
1.
Design a Mobile App
2.
Creating solutions with existing locations
3.
Paid Subscriptions: $5.99 a month
Day 1: Understand / Map
Existing Research
From the existing data/research, we knew that remote workers needed essentials like wifi, outlets, and bathrooms. There were people who had different needs, as some wanted a quieter work environment as others liked to see people working in the cafe. Before making any design decisions, we knew that users needed to know what to expect before getting to the location.
In day 1, we got a good picture of who the targeted users are and a user persona was created with insights gained.
How Might We...
Asking myself the HMW question gave me a focused mindset on the MVP would need to solve.
How Might We:
Allow remote workers to quickly find a place to work with essential amenities and knowing what to expect before arriving
The day was ended by making a map to visualize the steps of the user's journey of how they would use the product.
Day 2: Sketching Solutions
During the start of day 2, I conducted a lightening demo research by looking at 3 companies, Yelp, Google Maps, and Airbnb. Although their goal is not the same, I have chosen these apps due to the features they provide that can potentially solve the problem.
Emphasis on the services the location offers
Focuses on the route to the location.
Gives a good look into the location and its amenities.
I started my sketching process by conducting a Crazy 8 session to layout ideas and solutions. From the map created in day 1, I chose "Filter Amenities" as the most critical step to explore design sketches. I have chosen the sketch that seem to layout features like competitors so that users would be familiar on how the product works.
After choosing the critical step design, I ended day 2 by sketching out the screens before and after the "filter amenities" step.
Day 3 + 4: Decide / Prototype
The design sketch was chosen with amenities in mind. I wanted the product to have filtering options for specific amenities that users would need in order to be productive. As design ideas were locked in, I sketched out all the necessary screens for each step of the users journey and translated them into high fidelity prototypes.
Hover to reveal Hi-Fi mock ups
Day 5: Testing
After testing the prototype to 5 remote workers, many insights were found to enhance the solution. Testers where able to find their way around the app intuitively, but the users were not satisfied with the experience as they saw no difference with using yelp to find their way around. What I failed to keep in mind was that user would pay monthly and my solution needed to add more value to users. As I redesigned the screens, I kept these insights in mind:
1.
There may be Wifi but the strength of the wifi is crucial
2.
Users need to know how many outlets or tables the location has
3.
Solution is good for looking up new locations but how can design keep users coming back to the app
Iterations
WiFi Iterations
Added a WiFi strength meter to allow users to know the internet speed.
Letting users know when the latest WiFi speed was tested.
Busyness Graph Iterations
Gave the option to view the busyness level from previous days.
Incorporated an interactive virtual tour powered by Matterport.
Matterport's Virtual Tour
High Level Busyness Info
Live busyness updates displayed on a high level view.
Reflections & Takeaways
Designing through a sprint has taught me to look at the big picture of the solution, as the product is only an MVP. It helped me to think fast and to trust my designs during the sketch process. Here are some points where I could have done better:
Choosing non-competitor apps when conducting lighting demos
Do a better job keeping constraints in mind throughout project
Features like WiFi updates and Virtual Tour may not be possible
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