Lo-Fi Wire-frames
Figma
Photoshop
HTML/CSS
Lead UX research
Lead UX Design
Overall: 3+ months
Discovery & Research: 2+ weeks
Design & testing: 1 month
Wireframes and mockups of the website UI.
Figma Prototype demonstrating the website's functionality.
Design guidelines and specifications for developers.
User testing results and recommendations.
The problems I am trying to solve revolve around work-life balance for busy professionals. Specifically, I am addressing how busy individuals can maintain their social lives, pursue personal growth, and enjoy leisure activities while managing demanding work schedules, increased responsibilities, and financial constraints.
The mobile app, "Insert Coins," will allow users to discover and effortlessly plan engaging local arcade activities. This will benefit busy users by reducing planning time and optimizing their entertainment experiences. This will lead to a better work-life balance, increased social interaction, and cost-effective fun. I will measure effectiveness by tracking user engagement (time spent on the platform, frequency of planning outings), social integration metrics (friend group creation, shared recommendations), and user feedback highlighting the app's impact on their ability to manage their busy lives.
User Pain Points
I conducted user research using sample user bios, provided by the Google UX Design Certificate via Coursera, to gain insights into the needs and behaviors of my target audience.
Initially, I made several assumptions about my users, considering that initially this app would be perfect for planning family outings with young children as I had a biased view of the age group that would attend an arcade.
However, by analyzing two random sample bios blindly chosen, I was able to create detailed personas that represented my users' backgrounds and motivations. This research revealed that the two random users were adults who shared common goals of maintaining a social life and their responsibilities, but their specific pain points and priorities varied slightly.
These insights impacted design decisions that I did not initially envision and allowed me to refine my approach, ensuring that the final products design addressed the needs above all.
User Pain Points
Busy individuals struggle to balance work, personal development, and social life. They need efficient ways to plan leisure activities without spending excessive time researching options.
Current methods of finding arcade information may not provide comprehensive details about game offerings, atmosphere, and overall experience, leading to potential disappointment or wasted trips.
Users trying to cut back on expenses, need to ensure that money spent on entertainment provides good value and aligns with personal interests.
For users, planning outings with friends involves the challenge of finding an arcade that caters to diverse preferences within the group.
ACTION | Targeted Search | Preview | Price/Value Check | Food & Drink Options | Planning the Visit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
TASK LIST | A.
Search arcades near work, coffee shop, or home B. Filter results by game type based on his interests C. Click on Game page |
A. Skims photos + videos to vibe checking the arcade's ambiance B. Checks for games offered C. Looks for events D. Checks reviews & social media. |
A. Checks for info on pricing. B. How will he be charged (hourly rates, game based pricing). C. Compares price & deals. |
A. Checks for the availability of on-site food and drinks B. Checks Pricing C. Looks for food options. |
A. Find directions B. Check operating hours C. See if there's parking available. D. Make reservation esp on the weekends. |
FEELING ADJECTIVE | Overwhelm, engaged, nostalgic | Vibrant, welcoming, competitive | Transparent, budget-friendly | Delicious, diverse, hungry | Convenient, hassle-free |
IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES | 360° view, live stream, search recommendations w/ lists on trends. An interactive map. | User-generated content of games or events, ability to filter reviews by interests. | Compare price with similar games, highlight deals or discounts for weekdays. | Integration with food apps for pre-orders. healthy options. | Real-time traffic updates, integration with parking apps to for costs. |
ACTION | Browse Category | Check Game | Check Level + Players | Save Favorites | Planning the Visit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
TASK LIST | A.
Browse Games B. Scrolls through categories like "Racing," “Group” C. Select category to explore. |
A. Clicks game icon B. Watches short trailer with info. C. Check user reviews. |
A. Finds info on the game. B. Details: Easy-hard & player: 1-4. C. Check if the game works for the group. |
A. Looks for games for the group. B. Taps star icon to save it to a personalized list. C. List of games to try, saves time. |
A. Favorite game and share. B. Selects his method of sharing: i.e. list group text. C. Share list, friends add, hypes the outing. |
FEELING ADJECTIVE | Curious, Engaged | Intrigued, Informative | Reassured, Confident | Satisfied, Organized | Connected, Collaborative |
IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES | Personalized recs on browser history or filters. Makes search fast & fun. | Offer curated lists or trending games. Sparks new ideas & clearer search. | Visually represent difficulty levels or offer recs based on group size. Makes info easier & saves time. | Allow notes to list, like "good for beginners." Enhances planning & a smooth visit. | Integrate with social media, allowing to share and foster more collaboration. |
The Insert Coins mobile app aims to make activity planning effective for busy individuals like our persona’s Elliot and Alfie, focusing on reducing planning time and optimizing entertainment experiences.
In the paper wireframe stage, we explored intuitive layouts for quick arcade previews, streamlined booking processes, and social integration features. These wireframes laid the foundation for a visually appealing yet simple interface that minimizes cognitive load. We'll measure success through user engagement metrics, social data, and feedback, envisioning Insert Coins as a comprehensive solution that enhances users' day to day by simplifying planning and fostering fun social experiences.
My user-centric approach aimed to address key pain points such as time constraints and decision fatigue, emphasizing efficiency and social connections.
Address key pain points such as time constraints and decision fatigue with action buttons based on user flow.
User-generated content of games or events, ability to filter reviews by game category interests.
Icon Solution on the game cards to simplify planning and fostering fun social experiences and minimizing cognitive load.
Integrate with social media, allowing to share and foster more collaboration.
Round 1 findings
Users struggle to find games they're looking for because the filtering options are limited to broad categories. Adding more granular filtering options, such as VR experiences.
The food ordering process might be confusing for some users. I will simplify the steps and provide clear instructions.
Users want more specific sharing options to share curated lists.
Round 2 findings
Users may benefit from offline functionality, especially when traveling or in areas with limited connectivity. I will implement features that allow users to save arcade information for offline viewing.
The app is not fully accessible to users with disabilities. I will add features like larger fonts and higher contrast.
Confusing Ordering Process
Font too small
Simplify
the steps and provide clear instructions.
larger font for accessibility
Difficulty Filtering Specific Game Types
Limited Social Sharing Features
Allowing to share curated lists .
Add more specific filters, such as VR games.
The usability studies revealed several areas for improvement in the arcade app. By addressing these issues, I can significantly enhance the user experience and increase the app's overall appeal. Key findings include the need for improved performance, accessibility features, and customization options. Additionally, refining the food ordering process and providing more accurate location data will contribute to a more positive user experience.
The insights gained from these studies will inform future updates and development efforts, ensuring that the arcade app remains a valuable resource for users seeking gaming and entertainment options.
The high-contrast color palette, featuring black and white with a pop of neon green, enhances the overall accessibility of the app design.
In response to user feedback, I updated the app to have a consistent 12-point font size across all text areas.
Ensure that the app is fully accessible to users with disabilities. Work to implement features like screen reader compatibility. This will help to broaden my user base and improve inclusivity.
Provide users with more options to personalize their experience going forward. I would like to consider adding features like personalized filters, favorites lists, and the ability to have more information for offline viewing. This will cater to individual preferences and encourage repeat usage.
Address any issues with loading times, location accuracy, and offline functionality once launched. This will improve the overall user experience and reduce frustration. Implement strategies like optimizing code and improving location services.