The Design Problem
Reminder X launched a new “to-do” app for mobile devices. The company has not decided on a direction, but they want it to be more than just a generic app. Reminder X has put their focus on user research and experience design to better understand who they are designing their product for.
• What type of users should Reminder X focus on building its customer base?
• What problems or pain points do users currently face?
• How can Reminder X solve these potential problems for users?
• What problems or pain points do users currently face?
• How can Reminder X solve these potential problems for users?
Design Tenets
To better understand the target audience that Reminder X is designing their product for, Joe Pollock Design started the research process by developing Design Tenets that will guide the making of the Reminder X app.
Research Method
I completed the primary research by interviewing 4 potential users who use smartphones daily. The sessions took anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes total. I recorded voice audio, then listened to the recordings and took notes. Post-interview, I analyzed the information gathered using an Affinity Diagram.
Data Analysis
Using an affinity map, I first sorted all the data from the four interviews into columns of individual categories labeled by interviewee name. After I sorted the ideas expressed by each interviewee, I further sorted the related ideas they expressed into groups under headings that matched their ideas.
Analysis Matrix
Once the affinity mapping was complete, I synthesized the data through a set of derived hypotheses formed during the interview process. I reduced the hypotheses to key terms for the analysis matrix.
Research Findings:
• 9 mentions of a need for priority sorting of daily tasks
• 7 mentions of a need for assistance with time management
• 6 mentions of a need for simple and ease of use
• 4 mentions of a need for simple and ease of use
• 3 mentions of a desire to help with motivation
• 2 mentions of a desire to have a parent or share feature
• 7 mentions of a need for assistance with time management
• 6 mentions of a need for simple and ease of use
• 4 mentions of a need for simple and ease of use
• 3 mentions of a desire to help with motivation
• 2 mentions of a desire to have a parent or share feature
Product Recommendations
I determined the following product recommendations from the synthesis of data gained during user research.
• The app needs to sort and defend daily priorities
• The app needs to offer clear time management assistance
• The app needs to be intuitive and simple
• The app should be compatible with email and other calendars
• The app should delight and offer subtle encouragement
• The app should allow a parent or administrator to create tasks
• The app needs to offer clear time management assistance
• The app needs to be intuitive and simple
• The app should be compatible with email and other calendars
• The app should delight and offer subtle encouragement
• The app should allow a parent or administrator to create tasks
User Persona
After completing user interviews and reviewing the data gained from the interviews, I created a user persona to establish the ideal target consumer for the product.
Digital Mock Up
After completing user research and creating a user persona. I designed a digital mock-up of the product to explore the functionality of the proposed Reminder X App. I used the following process to develop the digital mock-up.
Mock Up Development Process:
Step 1. Pencil and Paper Wireflow and Revisions Based on Feedback
Step 2. Digital Mock Up
Step 2. Digital Mock Up
Step 1. Pencil and Paper Wireflow
Step 2. Digital Mock Up
Lessons Learned
This was my first User Experience Design project; I completed it for a core class in the MS UXD program at Kent State University. I found the entire process engaging and truly enjoyed designing for the user experience. At the start of the project, I was nervous about the user interview process, but once I got started with my first interview, I found myself at ease. The data I gained in the interview phase of the research was invaluable when I sat down and started drawing my first wire flow. Drawing wire flows is a process I enjoy; for me, it was crafting a narrative in a robust and challenging format. Having sketched out the initial draft with pencil and paper made crafting the digital mock-up possible. This project gave me a UXD foundation to build on.
