Intro
An app that helps skateboards discover new and exciting skate spots and events in their area. This app aims to offer a seamless and fun experience for all skateboarders and aims to grow the social aspects of this sports.
Project Development
Problem: As a passionate skateboarder whos been actively skateboarding for over 20 years, I understand the challenge of finding great spots and staying up-to-date on local events. Usually, skate pots and events are found by word of mouth, some of the major pain points for skateboards are that once the word gets out about a new spot or event it's usually too late.
Solution: Create a product to help skaters easily discover new spots and stay informed on local events. Provide users with an intuitive interface, where users can quickly search for spots, read reviews, and even add their own favorites to the map. Plus include an event calendar to ensure that skaters never miss a beat when it comes to local skateboarding events.
Outcome: I have gained invaluable insights on the impact of personal biases in product development. While my passion for skateboarding initially influenced some of the app's features, I quickly realized the importance of considering a diverse range of perspectives. Through user research and analysis of other skaters' pain points, I shifted my focus towards creating a product that serves the needs of a wider audience. This experience has taught me the value of keeping an open mind and prioritizing user-centered design in all aspects of product development.
Project Goals
Goals
Provide a high-end branding strategy that is up-to-date with the skateboarding scene, giving users the option to use the app as a social network.
Provide users with a simple-to-navigate product.
Learn and understand the trends and behaviors of users.
Create incentives in the App to bring back users.
Present findings from research and update prototype.
Methodologies and scope of work
Competitive analysis.
Market research interviews.
High-fidelity wireframes.
Branding design and research.
Working prototype.
Objectives
Provide a simple experience for a user that is easy to navigate within the branding consistencies.
Understand the clients and users that will visit the App.
Provide the users with an enhanced experience.
Project Overview
I have conducted extensive research to gain a comprehensive understanding of the process by which Skateboarders locate local spots and events in their community. Through this research, I have been able to tap into previously unknown markets and identify the pain points and struggles faced by customers in terms of finding suitable locations and events. By identifying unmet needs, I aim to improve upon the existing offerings of competitors and eliminate any research bias by allowing the research to guide the production of the App.
Information Architecture
Sketches
Sitemap
Research
Competitive Analysis
Market Research
UI Design
Icon
Mood Board
Brand logo and style
Design UI Kit
Interaction Design
User flow task
Low fidelity wireframes
Prototype
Iteration and Implementation
High Fidelity Prototype
Usability Testing
User Testing report
Spots Identity System
Creating identity systems is one of my favorite things to do, and this project was no exception. I was able to develop a unique identity system that combines my newly gained experience in graphic accessibility with my long-standing experience in skateboarding. I drew inspiration from popular skateboarding magazines, as well as textures from concrete, asphalt, skateboard decks, grip tape, and even the most popular brand of bearings from the wheels. Overall, the process was fun and exciting as I was able to combine my passion for design with my love for Skateboarding.
Usability Testing
Research
Testing the overall ease of use on the navigation and flow of the design of the user experience.
Test how users navigate the app to get to a spot.
Find how seamlessly the user can move through the screens.
Test the overall simplicity of the use of ease for clicking and hotspots.
Find out more information on how the position of links and the language helps the user navigate/remember the usability of the site.
Note areas of difficulty for the users.
Test Subject
Developed high-fidelity wireframes and a working prototype for the task of finding a Skate spot, using user research to identify pain points and areas of discomfort.
Methodology
In-Person: see in person how users interact with the App and figure out areas where the experience is not seamless.
Virtual: Do a remote meeting where the users can also interact with the App and have a dialogue as they navigate, and understand their thought processes.
Prioritize and Implement Revisions
Updates
1. To enhance the visual consistency of the brand, I made adjustments to the color palette of the map, bringing it closer to the initial branding site tiles.
2. I introduced a toggle button to give the user the option to change the graphics of the map, along with icons and prompts to create a more symmetrical design. Additionally, I aimed to emulate the feeling of a social media environment in the profile screen.
3. To improve visual accessibility, I created a more diverse look and feel throughout the pages of the App.
Spots UX/UI
End-to-End Mobile App experience
The App provide users with a comprehensive list of nearby street skate spots and upcoming events. This not only saves valuable time for Skateboarders but also allows them to focus on honing their skills and capturing footage without the burden of searching for suitable locations. Spots is a must-have for any Skateboarder looking to optimize their experience.