STUDY BUDDIES
Problem Overview
Students today are easily distracted by their phones which hinders and prolongs the act of studying. Studying is also associated with negative and stressful feelings.
Design Opportunity
How might we design a product that encourages students to stay focused on their studies.
User Interview
Interviews were conducted with students to gain insight on study habits and mobile app usage. Our conversations brought about the difficulties that students face when studying and what elements they would value in a study app.
Pain Points
It is easy to get distracted which prolongs study sessions. Studying is a stressful activity associated with negative feelings. The act of studying is effortful and mundane.
Pain Points
Pokemon Smile
An application that promotes tooth brushing habits by gamifying the experience. The app makes a mundane activity fun and an activity the user looks forward to. Pokemon Smile gives users a partner creature that is always with the user while they brush their teeth. This creates a bond and support for the user so they do not feel alone. However the app lacks any progress tracking or customizing features.
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Forest
Time management app that helps the user stay away from phone distractions by utilizing a timer. When users successfully stay focused they are rewarded with a tree to plant in their monthly digital garden. In this way users can track their progress and also view achievements they have earned. However, the app is more focused on self improvement which is not as appealing to a wider, younger audience.
Persona
With information gained from user surveys and interviews and persona was generated to help focus the app for the individual.
Sketching and Ideation
With information gained from user surveys and interviews and persona was generated to help focus the app for the individual.
Wireframing
Onboarding created to explain apps function and purpose. Simple layout to make it easy for the user to tap through the application.
User Testing Part 1
Users found difficulty with the reward system which made the experience clunky and unappealing. The app lacked fun and excitement.
Prototyping
Visual styling added as well as new reward system that entails coins and a gacha system.
User Testing Part 2
Improvements yielded positive results. The coin system was intuitive and made the app flow more efficient. Gacha system added to the excitement with its symbolism and surprise nature. Visual Styling updated and enjoyed by the user.
Findings and Plans for Development
App's purpose is achieved through the gamified experience of a time management app. Improvements can be made to the type of rewards given, study session labeling, achievements and rebranding the app beyond studying.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Successes
An app that frames studying in a positive, fight light and motivates staying focused through a time management technique. An experience tailored our target audience.
Learning Opportunities
Tailoring the product toward a specific user helps keep the product's vision aligned. This makes decisions easier and more accurate which leads to a project being done more efficiently and successfully. Simplify. Less is more. Clearing up clutter allows users to move through an app more intuitively and seamlessly. Which in return, creates a more positive experience. It is important to group elements meaningfully so breathing room between elements can be achieved.