New York, NY
coop usability study
Project Overview:
Coop is a revolutionary mobile app designed to create a safe and supportive space for young users aged 13-29 within disadvantaged communities. The application aims to fill a crucial gap by integrating community-based interests with psychological and sociological guidance through an AI chat feature. Coop enables users to engage in meaningful interactions, create posts, and build supportive communities, ultimately prioritizing mental health and fostering a sense of belonging.
Key Features:
Community-based Interests:
Coop focuses on fostering connections through shared interests, allowing users to join or create communities that resonate with their passions and experiences.
AI Chat Guidance:
An AI-powered chat feature provides psychological and sociological guidance, offering users a valuable resource for navigating challenges and promoting mental well-being.
Post Creation and Messaging:
Users can create posts to share thoughts, seek advice, or express themselves within their chosen communities. Additionally, private messaging facilitates more personal interactions among community members.
Problem:
The absence of an accessible mobile app that combines mental health prioritization with youth support group facilitation leaves a significant void in the digital landscape. Existing platforms may lack the essential features required to create a holistic and safe space for users seeking both community support and guidance.
Goal:
The primary objective of Coop is to develop an inclusive mobile app that empowers young users to actively participate in healthy and supportive communities. By seamlessly integrating community-building features with an AI chat function, Coop strives to offer a unique and comprehensive solution for mental health support within disadvantaged communities.
Project Duration:
2023
My Role:
As the Founder, Lead UX Designer, UI Designer, and UX Researcher, my responsibilities encompass a comprehensive range of tasks essential to the success of Coop. These include user research, both paper and digital wireframing, low and high fidelity prototyping, ensuring accessibility, conducting usability studies, and iteratively refining designs based on user feedback.
user research
Conducting in-depth interviews with users has been a cornerstone of our research strategy, allowing us to gain valuable insights into their experiences and challenges. By creating empathy maps, we have delved into the emotional nuances of user interactions, enabling a more nuanced understanding of their needs and pain points.
pain points
01
Limited Access to Supportive Communities
Users frequently encounter difficulties in locating easily accessible and supportive communities within existing social apps. This struggle often results in feelings of isolation and a lack of belonging, leaving them without the necessary support networks. Coop aims to address this pain point by creating a platform where users can effortlessly find and engage with supportive communities tailored to their needs.
02
Isolation and Lack of Belonging
A recurring pain point identified during user interviews is the challenge users face in finding easily accessible and supportive communities on social apps. This struggle intensifies their feelings of isolation and contributes to an overall sense of lacking belonging and necessary support. Coop seeks to alleviate this by becoming a haven for users seeking genuine connections within a supportive community environment.
03
Unmet Needs in AI Chat Systems
During our usability assessment, it became evident that users expressed a need for accessible color schemes to enhance text readability. Additionally, there was a distinct desire for buttons that clearly indicate their function, especially in response to user actions. These insights underscore our commitment to ensuring a user-friendly interface that prioritizes accessibility and clarity, enhancing the overall user experience on Coop.
user persona
Rowana Vi
age: 17 education: high school hometown: NYC family: single occupation: student
“I love organizing group hangouts with friends.”
Rowana is a high school student, living in new york city. She loves attending social events and making new friends. She is interested in discovering new hobbies and relating to others on shared ones. She is currently applying to colleges and wishes to major in literature.
Problem Statement: Rowana Vi is a 17 year old student in new york city who needs a space where she can interact with like minded communities that help and support her social wellbeing and mental health.
Goals
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Join Interesting Communities:
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Rowana seeks platforms that allow her to join diverse and engaging communities, connecting with like-minded individuals who share her interests and passions.
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Make New Friends with Like-Minded People:
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Building meaningful friendships is a priority for Rowana. She values connections with people who share her interests and outlook on life.
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Learn More About Mental Health and Social Issues:
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Rowana is eager to expand her knowledge on mental health and social issues. She recognizes the importance of understanding these topics for her personal growth and the well-being of others.
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Frustrations
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Difficulty Finding Supportive Communities:
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Rowana finds it challenging to discover online communities that provide the support and understanding she seeks. This frustration stems from a desire for a space that prioritizes her social well-being.
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Need for Easy Connection with Like-Minded People:
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The current struggle for Rowana lies in the difficulty of finding people who share her interests. She desires a seamless and user-friendly platform that facilitates connections with individuals who align with her hobbies.
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Desire to Learn About New Topics and Issues:
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Rowana expresses a keen interest in learning about new topics and issues. She feels that existing platforms may not cater to her curiosity, and she is looking for a space that encourages exploration and education.
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user journey
A user journey map for Rowana’s experience was created to better help identify pain points she may come across.
site map
A sitemap was created to help visualize the structure and architecture of the website.
paper wireframes
The paper wireframes embody an intuitive design that aligns with Coop's goal of creating a user-friendly interface. The strategic placement of notifications and key screens in the top and bottom bars, respectively, aims to enhance accessibility and streamline the user's interaction with the app.
These wireframes serve as a foundational step in the UX design process, providing a tangible representation of the envisioned mobile home screen. As the project progresses, these paper wireframes will evolve into digital prototypes, incorporating user feedback to further refine the overall user experience on Coop.
digital wireframes
The digital wireframes represent a transition from conceptualization to a more refined and dynamic visualization of Coop's mobile home screen. With a focus on the top notification bar, bottom navigation bar, and scrollable posts, these wireframes are instrumental in laying the foundation for a user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing interface.
As the project advances, these digital wireframes will serve as a reference point for further design iterations and user testing, ensuring that the final product aligns seamlessly with Coop's mission of providing an accessible and engaging platform for users.
Top Notification Bar:
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The digital wireframes prominently feature a top notification bar, strategically positioned for easy visibility and accessibility. This design choice ensures that users can promptly engage with notifications, fostering a responsive and user-centric interaction.
Outline of Scrollable Posts:
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The digital wireframes outline a visually intuitive presentation of scrollable posts on the home screen. This design feature encourages users to explore diverse community content effortlessly, promoting engagement and a dynamic user experience.
Bottom Navigation Bar:
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A dedicated bottom navigation bar is incorporated into the digital wireframes, providing seamless access to essential screens. This design decision optimizes navigation, allowing users to effortlessly reach key functionalities and navigate through the app with efficiency.
low-fidelity prototype
The low-fidelity primary flow is designed with user-centricity in mind, offering a clear and intuitive journey through Coop's essential features. This initial design iteration serves as a foundational step in creating a smooth and accessible user experience, laying the groundwork for subsequent design refinements and usability testing.
usability study: parameters
01.
study type:
Unmoderated usability study
02.
location:
United States, Remote
03.
participants:
5
04.
length:
20-30 min
usability study: findings
These usability study findings play a pivotal role in shaping the ongoing development of Coop, guiding the refinement of features to align with user expectations and preferences. As the UX designer, I am committed to leveraging these insights to enhance the overall user experience and create a platform that resonates seamlessly with the needs and aspirations of Coop's diverse user base.
01.
Enhanced Post Interaction:
Users expressed a clear desire for more interactive engagement options within the Coop platform. The findings highlight a strong preference for features such as like, comment, and repost buttons for posts. This insight emphasizes the importance of fostering a dynamic and participatory community experience.
02.
Targeted Community Recommendations:
In exploring the Discover tab, users articulated the need for more personalized and targeted community recommendations. The study underscores the significance of refining the algorithm to provide users with community suggestions that align closely with their interests and preferences, enhancing the overall user experience.
03.
Interactive AI Chat:
User feedback underscored the demand for an interactive AI chat feature within the Coop platform. This finding emphasizes the user's desire for a more engaging and responsive AI chat system that goes beyond conventional functionalities. Integrating interactive elements will contribute significantly to meeting users' expectations for dynamic and personalized interactions.
mockups
Utilizing key findings from the usability study, I have strategically incorporated design enhancements to amplify user engagement and satisfaction on the Coop platform.
Design Iterations:
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Interactive Post Features:
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In response to user preferences, I have introduced comment, like, and repost buttons for each post. These additions not only cater to users' desire for increased interactivity but also contribute to a more dynamic and engaging community experience.
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Dedicated Comment Section:
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Recognizing the importance of fostering meaningful discussions, I have introduced a dedicated comment section for each post. This allows users to engage in conversations, share insights, and build connections within their communities, enriching the overall user experience.
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Streamlined Community Access:
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To enhance user navigation and community exploration, I have implemented easy access points to the specific community to which each post is designated. This ensures that users can seamlessly transition to relevant communities, aligning with the targeted and personalized community recommendations identified in the usability study.
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before usability study
after usability study
4. Discover Tab Optimization:
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Building upon user feedback, I have redesigned the Discover tab to showcase relevant communities tailored to users' interests. This optimization enhances the discoverability of communities aligned with users' preferences, offering a more personalized and curated experience.
before usability study
after usability study
5. Interactive AI Chat:
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Post usability study, I have significantly enhanced the AI chat functionality, making it more interactive and transparent in showcasing the guidance it aims to provide. This improvement ensures a more engaging and personalized user experience, addressing the identified need for a comprehensive AI chat system.
before usability study
after usability study
high-fidelity prototype
In the culmination of the design process, the high-fidelity prototype has been meticulously crafted to empower users with seamless navigation and interaction capabilities. Users can effortlessly create posts, navigate through various pages, access settings, and stay informed with notifications. This refined prototype encapsulates the culmination of user-centric design principles, ensuring a fluid and intuitive user experience within the Coop platform.
mockups: desktop
accessibility considerations
01.
Sequential Heading Structure:
Ensuring an inclusive experience, I've implemented a sequential heading structure. This design choice enhances the accessibility of content, allowing users, including those who rely on screen readers, to navigate through information in a logical and comprehensible order.
02.
AAA Color Contrast:
To meet stringent accessibility standards, I've prioritized AAA color contrast throughout the design. This commitment ensures optimal visibility and readability for all users, regardless of their visual abilities, promoting a universally accessible and user-friendly interface.
03.
Universal Design for Icons:
Recognizing the importance of universally recognizable symbols, I've employed a universal design approach for icons. This ensures that icons are intuitive and comprehensible, catering to a diverse user base and contributing to a more inclusive and accessible user interface.
takeaways
impact
The Coop user interface has been meticulously crafted to facilitate seamless interaction among users within communities, fostering a dynamic and enriching experience. A paramount focus has been placed on creating safe and educational environments within the app, prioritizing the well-being of users. The integration of an AI chat is strategically designed to provide users with wholesome advice, contributing to a supportive and positive community atmosphere. Moreover, the versatile post creation feature accommodates text, images, and videos, enabling a diverse and positive flow of media and information creation. This holistic approach underscores Coop's commitment to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive, and constructive digital space for its users.
what i learned
The Coop UX portfolio represents a transformative learning journey in user-centered design. Throughout the process, I learned crucial insights that shaped the evolution of the application. The emphasis on user-centricity became apparent through usability studies and feedback loops, guiding the integration of features like interactive post elements and dedicated comment sections. Accessibility considerations emerged as a key learning, leading to the implementation of sequential heading structures and AAA color contrast. The significance of fostering safe and educational environments within digital communities became a focal point, influencing features like the AI chat and versatile post creation. Iterative design and usability studies were instrumental in refining the user experience, and the incorporation of diverse media types in posts highlighted the importance of holistic content integration. In conclusion, the Coop UX portfolio is a testament to the transformative power of iterative design informed by user insights, resulting in a user-friendly, accessible, and inclusive digital community space.
next steps
01
Implement Enhanced Community Engagement Features:
Introduce features that deepen user engagement within communities, such as real-time group activities, events, or collaborative projects. This step aims to create a more dynamic and interactive space, fostering stronger connections among users.
02
Conduct Iterative Usability Testing:
Regularly conduct iterative usability testing sessions to gather ongoing user feedback. This step ensures continuous improvement based on user preferences and evolving needs, fostering an adaptive and user-centric design approach.
03
Explore Personalized AI Chat Enhancements:
Further refine the AI chat feature by exploring personalized enhancements. Consider incorporating user-specific preferences, learning capabilities, and more interactive elements to elevate the overall user experience. This step aligns with the goal of providing tailored guidance and support to users.
