A case study for designing for social good: mobile and desktop app

Project overview: Design a way to help tutor adults in creativity

We are creating a mobile and desktop app that helps tutor adults in expressing their online creativity and personal creative project. Emphasis is given to creative writing and assembling photo albums. 

The problem: 

Although users are generally able to start with creative writing or photography, they have a difficult time following through on a creative project and finalizing it, so that they can share it with friends and colleagues. 

The goal: 

Help users craft their creative writing or photography projects successfully so that they can complete a project and share it with friends and colleagues. 

My role & responsibilities: 

Lead UX designer & UX researcher, responsible for user research and analysis, sketching, wireframing, lo-fi and hi-fi prototyping, design concepts, branding, design execution.

Understanding the user

User research 

Summary

A competitive audit was conducted with four competitors, two direct and two in-direct.

I conducted interviews with 5 users, asking each user to complete 4 prompts to creatively engage in their writing or photography project. The research goal was to have an understanding of whether users can easily access the tools to start, continue and finalize a creative project of their own.
Primary users identified through research were adult professionals who seek to be engaged in creative projects of their own choice, with a focus on writing and photography.

This user group confirmed initial assumptions about the need for tutorials to encourage creative production so that they could finalize a project and share it with friends and colleagues.

Competitive Audit

A competitive audit was conducted with four competitors, namely, Apple’s Pages, Inkspired, Pinterest, and Canva.

Access the full Competitive Audit

Access the full Competitive Audit Report

Pain Points

Personas

Sitemap

The primary concern about the site’s flow was the users’ ease to access creative tools quickly, using the site’s top navigation and easy-access ‘New’ file buttons on the homepage. The footer is kept simple.

Starting the design

Wireframe pencil sketches: Mobile app screens

8 screens were sketched to select the best user-friendly components, such as the top nav bar and easily accessible photo uploads for both writing and album projects. 

Priority was given to the one-click buttons that let users navigate quickly to their current or new projects.

Lo-fi Wireframes: Mobile app screens

The 2 main user flows were implemented in the lo-fi wireframes, one a writing/upload photo project, and the other for a photo album project.

Priority was given to insure immediate user access to working on a project.

Link to Lo-Fi wireframe prototype

Usability study: Parameters

5 participants were asked to complete 4 prompts & tasks. These findings represent insights gathered from the 4 prompts from each participant, creating an affinity map, as well as pattern and insight identification lists.

The affinity map based on research findings was created and provided the foundation to identify patterns and insights lists.

Usability study: Prioritizing insights based on affinity mapping and theme identification

1 (Top priority): All users need a clearer and simpler understanding of the title, sub-titles, and action buttons on the home page. 

2 (Top priority): All users are asking for an ‘exit’ or ‘done’ button when they are finished with uploading an image or writing a text. 

2 (Top priority): All users need improved UI action buttons and interactivity. 

4 (Second priority): All users want a fluid, ‘tappable’ typewriter feature.

5 (Second priority): Most users need a revised flow for adding text to an image.

6 (Third priority): Most users like more confirmation messages throughout the app.

Lo-fi wireframes iteration: The mobile app homepage is optimized based on insights

Lo-fi wireframes: Tablet screens

Refining the design

The design: Brand personality and sample UI elements

A cheery and bright color palette was chosen to highlight the creative intention of the app. 

Attention is given to witty and motivational copy, while keeping the typography simple and clear.

UI elements are user-friendly and direct.

The design: Hi-fi mockups of mobile app screens, from lo-fi to hi-fi

The design: Hi-fi prototype

Users can navigate from the mobile home screen to current or new projects with a one-click action. Top & bottom nav elements are kept simple.

Link to Hi-Fi mobile design prototype 

Hi-fi design mockups: Tablet screens

Hi-fi design prototype: Tablet screens

Link to Hi-Fi mobile design prototype 

Hi-fi design mockups: Three screen sizes

The design: Accessibility

Accessibility improvements were made for a better and more user-friendly experience

1 Clearer and simpler understanding of the title, sub-titles, and action buttons on the home page

2 Optimized buttons to close task loops

3 Larger UI action buttons and icons

4 Improved flow for adding text to an image

5 User-friendly confirmation messages throughout the app

Key takeaways

Impact:

Busy professionals need quick access to current and new creative projects. Their main goal is to finalize a project in the best way possible so that they can share it with their friends and colleagues. 

What I learned:

• Simpler task flows are more user-friendly and optimize user goals.

• Users like motivational statements to encourage them to create more to reach their goals.

• Concise titles and subtitles are crucial for the user to get to the next step.

• Confirmation messages are also very much appreciated.

Access the full case study for the Create app

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