WOAH (Workout at Home)
More information about this project and the development process can be shared verbally.
Introduction & Objective
My role: Understand design problem
Many people's workout routines were affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With gyms closed and group activities being discouraged, people needed to find new ways to stay active and obtain the social aspect they were craving.
We used human-centered design principles to enhance physical and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our target audience for this app was Gen Z and Millennials in the United States.
Our essential question was "How might we motivate young adults to engage in physical fitness while gyms and social activities are closed?".
Research for User Needs
My role: User Research Lead
Secondary research, a survey, and user interviews were conducted to help us understand how people workout, likes and dislikes about their current workout routine, and COVID-19's impact on their active wellbeing.
Findings from the research were organized into an affinity diagram were patterns and themes were discovered. A code book was also used to help determine key findings from the user interviews. A primary user persona was also created.
Ideation & Concept Design
My role: Co-creator in ideation/concept design
The themes discovered from the affinity diagram, code book, and brainstorming were then ranked on a prioritization graph to better illustrate what would be our main focus during the design process.
Sketches were created for each theme during a crazy 8s brainstorming session. After ideas were discussed with the team, low-fidelity paper prototypes were created to demonstrate the flow of the app the user would go thorough.
Storyboards & Branding
My role: To assist teammates. Did not Lead
Storyboards were created to help explain the flow, use case, and features on the app, Choosy.
Mood statements were created from the comparative analysis, personas, users needs, and moods. The top moods from the statements were joy, trustworthy, safe, loved, and content. Based on the moods, a modern, bright, luxurious, and fun style was chosen for the app. Choosy's personality was then defined to look and feel modern, sophisticated, luxurious, and trustworthy. I color pallet to portray this was also created.
Prototypes & Evaluation
My role: Co-creator of prototypes and lead qualitative evaluation
A medium-fidelity prototype was created based on the paper low-fidelity prototype. It was then used for usability testing to discover user app navigation and behavioral intentions. User Interface improvements ideas were noted and put into account for the high-fidelity prototype.
To evaluate the high-fidelity prototype, we collected qualitative and quantitative data through usability testing interviews and an user self-evaluation task analysis. The findings were then used to refine the design of the WOAH app further and data to support the features, functions, and visuals of the app.
Impact & Reflection
This app never reached the build out and launch phase.
Reflecting on the project, we should have balanced task timing more efficiently to allow for more time for usability testing of the high fidelity prototype.
Next steps for this project would be the final build out and launch, as well as answering the following remaining questions.
How do we ensure that people stay motivated to use the app?
How will fitness apps be affected after the Covid-19 pandemic is over?
