UX/UI Design- iOS Mobile
Expert
Empowering users with the expert advice they need that is hard to find and often too expensive.
The Process
In what is now the project that started not only my UX design career, but a whole new life of design thinking, I designed a hypothetical mobile native app that connects real people with real professional advice that they need.
Is it the best design work I've done? Likely not. But the the hands on experiences and the challenges of real world problems, afforded me the passion for UX design that I have to this day. I've consciously left the contents in its original form.
The Problem
People are often faced with crucial decisions that hinders on the amount of expert advice to make the right one. There has to be an easier way to connect experts to everyday people.
How might we streamline expert advice to people who are in need of them in the most effective and convenient way?
Research
In the intital round of user interviews, participants gave their own experiences seeking expert advice. To supplement and confirm the informations collected, I set out to gather insight by conduting a thorough competitor analysis.
When presented with the concept of the app, participants were enthused and found value in the idea- as long as it was affordable and trustworthy.
Takeaway: Design the app centered around trust and provide incentives for experts who are lower priced.
There were mixed feelings about the idea of video calling an expert to receive advice.
Takeaway: Make video calling an option but not a requirement. Do not vary prices for ways of communicating.
Seeking advice in general is done very frequently, mostly via google search.
Takeaway: Provide multiple pricing options and include subscription service.
Despite a few established companies in the market, participant had little idea of their existance.
Takeaway: Explore ways to market to a wider audience. Consider creating a blog.
Define
During this stage of planning for the app, I first emphasized and outlined how the users will ultimately find and connect with an expert. This process was the core function of the app.
Next, to keep the users centered, an archetype persona was produced by carefully analyzing user interviews. In addition, I also engaged in creating a user journey for a holistic view of where the pain points would be most prone during the users interaction with the app.
Before designing the look of the app, a user flow and a site map was created to clarify all the screens necessary for users to reach their goal in the most effective way possible.
The next phase of the app started by drawing wireframes to start generating ideas. Next, the screens were brought to life in a low-fidelity version using Balsamiq. With this iteration, the functions were streamlined to test assumptions and implement necessary design insights.
Ideate
Verify
Once the mid-fidelity mockups were created, 5 people participated in usability testing and the results were analyzed using the Jakob Nielson severity rating metric. Each rated issues were then disseminate onto a rainbow sheet which allowed me to resolve the most severe issues at this stage of the design.
There were two main adjustments needed:
Iterate
Changes were carefully conidered and made according to the results of usability testing for the high-fidelity prototype. Utilizing a grid, and applying ux disciplines such as gestault principles and color theory, the final design reflected user needs in conjunction with business needs.
Final Thoughts
Gaining users trust of the experts on the app was the biggest challenge of the project which was overcome by analyzing details of user interviews to figure out what exact information they needed. Clearly displaying reviews and transparently verifying an experts background allowed near 90% trust rate for the users.
Moving forward, I would like to further explore ways to make the app feel more personalized and trustworthy by enhancing transparency and dependability.
Thank you!