Problem Space

The problem space that I identified stems from a strong feeling of empathy, not to my users, but to my parents. Well, at least that is how it started!

Shortly after my siblings and I left the nest, we noticed my parents became lonely, sad and unmotivated. To combat this, we encouraged them to go out with their friends or do something they enjoy; however, this was an ask they found hard to put into action.  

This opened my eyes to how drastically someone’s life can change by only letting natural life events play out. Like pound of brick it hit me, a sudden lack of purpose for adults ages 50-64 can lead to depression.

I wanted to help my parents and others like them, so I outlined a process to execute the research.

Solution

Feel free to explore the prototype!

Success Metrics

The following metrics listed below will be monitored to determine the level of success our users are experiencing using the solution:

1. The rate where one connects with a new friend recommendation

2. The rate where one attends an event hosted by a friend with mutual interests

3. The rate where one invites a friend to attend an event that is of mutual interest

Design Process

The image will illustrate the step by step process I plan to execute in order to provide a design solution that is best suited to our users that will address the problem space at hand.

Secondary Research

With the problem space at hand, I began investigating further through secondary research to gain a deeper understanding of the impact it is having on our users. Below you will see statistics that emphasize the importance of tackling this issue and the effects it is having on our users (Adults age 50-64).

Design Question

With the quantitative research in place, I was now confident in the severity of the problem space and the need for it to be addressed. So, I asked myself:

“How might we enhance the quality of life and provide purpose to adults ages 50-64 to help them stave off the risk of depression?”

Primary Research

At this stage, I was confident the problem space was defined, however, I still was lacking empathy towards my users. It is at this stage where I began to gather qualitative data.

I conducted interviews with 5 adults ages 50 -64 to better understand how they attempt to keep motivated and fulfilled in their social lives while identifying the issues they face in that pursuit.  

The main insights I develop by synthesizing my findings can be found below for the adults ages 50 -64:

Key Takeaways

• My hypothesis was confirmed, adults ages 50-64 suffer from the risk of depression due to a lack of purpose in their lives. However, they recognize that the lack of mental and physical stimulation with other like-minded people is causing this, and they are open to a solution to address this.

• Adults want to be physically active but either do not have friends that share similar interests and find it difficult making new friends that have mutual interest.

Persona

With the research above at hand, I developed a persona that acts as a fictional representation of a user that may download my product in the future. This will provide us with the clearest guidance when designing the solution for our problem space.

Experience Map

Now that you have met Suzy, I can now walk you through her end-to-end experience of the problems space at hand.

To give you the visual walkthrough, I have created an experience map so I can examine when and where her frustrations occur and identify solution opportunities for the project at hand.

Key Insights

The Persona & Experience Map helped me understand a major key element that I had not yet grasped, and that is what demotivated people to seek new friendships is the awkwardness and stress that comes with those initial meetings over coffee/lunch/dinner.

This was then further justified when conducting competitor research. Reviews on Bumble BFF mention how users “felt awkward and a bit stressed meeting a friend connection in person for the first time”.

Eureka Moment

Going back to the HMW, the way to enhance the quality of life and provide purpose to our users is not by just connecting them with new friends with mutual interests, but we also need to create an environment for them to meet that has little risk of awkward or uncomfortable moments!

Task Flows

Having a deeper understanding of our user’s experience, I began to note down specific user stories to narrow down specific features and functions that I should include in our design solution.  

I formalized a primary theme of “Enhancing Social Interactions”, and created a task flow that encompasses the primary user story.

I chose this theme as it offers the best path to address my HMW and Eurika moment, which is further illustrated in the user stories below.

Sketches

With the core task flow in place, I began ideating different screen interactions for the app. I used pen and paper to do some crazy-8 sketches and then refined them. I then took my best and sought feedback about visuals and usability.

Mid-Fi Wireframes

With that in place,I designed the Mid-Fi wireframes below and then I conducted another round of usability testing with five new users.

It was at this stage where I realized that users are missing our main value proposition. My product is meant to provide users with new friend connections and encourage in person meetings while engaging in activities of mutual interest. 

Another issue that arose was that our users questioned the authenticity of the profiles being recommended to them.

So we made a few changes to address those concerns.

Mid-Fi to Hi-Fi

Thankfully I did not stop there, I decided to conduct one more round of usability testing before transitioning into Hi-Fi and boy am I glad I did. To my surprise, the next set of testers picked up on issues that the previous group did not highlight.

Visual Identity

Now you gained a sneak peak at the Hi-Fi prototype, but allow me to explain how I got there.

Essentially, I wanted to develop a brand identity inspired by the characteristics of my users. In turn creating a visual design that speaks to them and creates a deeper, emotional connection

Feel free to review the mood board by clicking the button below:

Hi-Fi Wireframes

My inspiration, as illustrated in my brand’s visual identity, helped me formalize aesthetically how my high-fidelity prototype was going to look. It was not based on what was visually appealing but on human centred research.

I invite you to click the button to experience our interactive prototype.

Let’s Meet landing screen

This page sets the theme for the entire design solution and highlights our value proposition!…which is connecting with new friends, and then meeting them during events of mutual interest.

The user’s attention is drawn towards the New Friend Recommendations with a rating of compatibility as indicated on the top right corner of the contact card. Enticing the user to view that profile and add them as a friend. Making it the first pillar of our value proposition.

The upcoming activities lists events hosted by the user’s LIVINLife friends. This will encourage the user to take part events while fostering new friendships along the way!

Activities screen

This screen allows our users to search for events tailored to them.

These events are hosted by anyone. However, one can filter the events that are hosted by existing friend connections made through the platform.

Now, if a user requests to attend an event hosted by someone who is not a friend connection, then that host needs to confirm your attendance and add you as a friend prior to it being added to the user’s calendar.

Invite Friend screen

After the user reviews the details of an event along with the RSVPs, they then have the option to share the event with their friends.

Selecting Invite will generate a list of existing friend connections that will likely have an interest in attending the event.

This is the second pillar to our value proposition as users can invite new friend connections to an event of mutual interest, making the encounter less awkward and stressful; enabling the friendship to grow in an organic and fun environment.

Challenges

My product encourages people to connect with strangers that share similar profiles and mutual interests so that they can meet in person during an event or activity. It is designed for people who are looking to enrich their social lives. However, not every encounter will be perfect and having one too many of those will easily lead to our users being disconnected.

Key Learnings

These past 10 weeks have been a roller-coaster! There was a huge learning curve for me as I navigated the tides of this UX project. Here are some of the key things that I will take with me to the projects to come:

• Human Centred Design: Always have the user be the inspiration to your design thinking. Whenever I was at a loss, I would put myself in my persona’s shoes to gain guidance.

• Embrace Feedback: The more input the better. My designs only got better any and every time I sought out feedback on my work from my peers and mentors.

• Seek Inspiration: We are not here to reinvent the wheel, see what works and enhance it by keeping your users in mind. My creative ability had a ceiling of drawing a stick man, but with the right inspiration one truly can become a creator.