WHAT I DID
Based on in-depth user research, I created a native mobile device fitness mobile app that utilizes a holistic approach to include running, live training, on-demand training, biking, nutritional dieting, and meal recipes.
This is a case study which explores the creation of the STAQ app from end-to-end.
RESPONSIBILITIES
As the researcher and designer, I used the following methodologies:
DEFINE PROBLEM+HYPOTHESIS
USER RESEARCH
DESIGN
USABILITY TESTING+REFINEMENT
WHEN I WORKOUT AND WANT TO RECORD NUTRITIONAL INFO,
I often end up in conversations about 'what fitness and nutrition apps do I use?'. This usually ends up having to explain the many different fitness and nutrition apps available on the market.
"THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT"
I sourced the internet and App Store thinking of all the fitness and nutrition apps available to users. The options are almost unlimited nowadays. Most of the popular searches included Nike Training Club, Nike Run Club, Strava, for training and activities, and MyFitnessPal, Lifesum, and Loose It! - Calorie Counter for eating/dieting apps.
WHY SO MANY APPS?
To solve this issue myself, I started brainstorming the idea of 'why isn't there an app which has all these features all-in-one' already? Which activities are people most interested in? Why not include healthy eating and dieting as part of the training/activity apps already? What are some other needs, interests, and issues that may arise if a holistic app included all these services in one?
WITH THIS IN MIND...
I utilized research & analysis, conception+ideation, and testing & iteration which contributed to the new design for a holistic fitness and nutrition app called STAQ.
WHAT I CAN SEE
By researching the current market, I can see that there are numerous amounts of fitness+nutrition apps in the wild. The common problematic issue I see is that users are having to download multiple apps to fulfill their fitness+nutrition goals.
REAFFIRMING THE ISSUE
As you can see from the above chart, I created a feature comparison of the most popular fitness+nutrition apps in the market. I've highlighted (red striped outline) the key missing component of all these apps. The recurring main issue is missing fitness and nutrition components in a singular app.
INSIGHTS FROM THE FIELD
I created a user study and asked 8 participants the most problematic issues about using fitness and nutrition apps. My goal was to understand what apps and programs users are using, what users wanted in a fitness+nutrition app, and if an app existed which holistically contained fitness+nutrition all-in-one, and would they be excited to use it.
This is an affinity map that includes user responses to my user research.
DISCOVERY
From these findings, I decided to hone in on creating a product that would holistically encompass fitness+nutrition components into one app.
I then started a brainstorming session by collecting my research and creating personas that would fit the ideal fitness+nutrition user.
I then started a brainstorming session by collecting my research and creating personas that would fit the ideal fitness+nutrition user.
PLAN OF ATTACK
By creating the user personas above, I can now see where potential users are planning to use the STAQ app.
I then conducted an ideation session where I created a user flow, sitemap, and introductory lo-fi screens to analyze the start of the user journey.
This is a user flow in which I analyzed the user journey for the STAQ app.
This is a sitemap that helped me visualize the user journey from the top down.
These are my primary sketches which helped me create
the initial user journey for the STAQ app.
ANALYZE WHAT'S IMPORTANT
Now that I can see a potential user journey, I then focused my efforts on prioritizing what features and goals I wanted to achieve in the STAQ app.
I created this prioritization matrix to highlight key areas of focus, but also note which features can be added at a later time.
This is a prioritization matrix which helped me prioritize what key features
needed my primary attention, and what features to focus on at a later time.
USABILITY TESTING
Now that I have created a working prototype, I conducted a usability test with five users. I asked the users to try to navigate different key areas of the STAQ app. I also asked the users about the overall design, ease of use, and overall impression. Here are the key findings.
REFINING STAQ
After reviewing the results from the usability test amongst users, I created a revised version of the STAQ app. Please feel free to try out the clickable prototype and watch a video walkthrough of the STAQ app.
