Anytime - Friend Sharing App
human distance relationship product that gives users insights into their communication habits
ROLE
UX Researcher, UI Designer
TIME
Sep 2022 – May 2023
DELIVERABLES
Competitive analysis, Journey map, UI design, Flow chart, Interviews, Persona
TOOLS
Adobe Illustrator, Figma, Miro
Overview
Brief
Communication is an intrinsic part of daily human interaction. With the advent of technology, we have witnessed a proliferation of communication formats, including voice calls, video chats, and communication within virtual gaming environments. Despite these advancements, long-distance communication still falls short in conveying the full spectrum of human emotions and nuances. This gap becomes particularly evident in scenarios such as students studying abroad. Many of them face significant challenges in maintaining relationships with friends and family, exacerbated by differences in time zones and contextual environments. This underscores the need for innovative communication technologies that bridge these gaps, fostering deeper connections irrespective of geographical distances.
Design Process
Understanding
Researching
Analyzing
Designing
Ideating
Testing
Refining
Presenting
Challenge
Problem Statement
How might we create an easy, efficient communication for friends who don't talk much and who don't have time in order to build a meaningful connection?
Research 1 - Existing Problems
Competitive Analysis
01 Good notification system
02 Editable text
03 Avatar
01 Apple only
02 Hard to organize
03 Security issue
01 Convenience
02 Social connection
03 Entertainment
01 Loss of privacy
02 Addiction
03 Peer pressure
01 Limitation of information
02 Geofilters
03 Know your viewer
01 Limited audience
02 Useless content
03 Time limit
“People need better organization when communication increased“
“People love short & convenient information“
“People care about the privacy and who can receive their messages“
User Research
Research 2 - User Interviews
Painpoints
Behavior Analysis - Affinity Mapping
Research Findings
01 Work/life balance：Individuals may feel less connected to those who are not present in their daily lives
02 Effort required: The pressure to maintain frequent contact with family members can cause stress or anxiety
03 Sharing/responding: Sharing daily activities with others is a key way to stay connected and maintain relationships.
Persona
Design Principles
IDEATION
Initial Ideas
Design Decision
Q: What is the most effortless, but efficient bonding format?
A: Series of images that can be easily taken by phone
Using daily images or photos helps keep up with basic information and can start more conversations. It's a great way for users to share their feelings and thoughts quickly and easily, without having to explain too much. Feedback from user interviews shows that people can communicate quickly through images while still staying connected with their contacts.
Storyboard & Wireframe
The proposed UX design project entails creating a platform or app facilitating seamless sharing of daily photo collections among users' social circles. Through intuitive functionality, users can compile surprise gift packages of images, enhancing emotional connections and enjoyment. The project aims to provide a distinctive avenue for individuals to connect and share experiences. Achieving this vision necessitates meticulous research and planning, focusing on aspects such as user experience, customization, privacy, security, and revenue generation. Adherence to professional standards could position this concept as a valuable asset in the photo-sharing market.
DESIGN
User Flows
Visual Identity
The visual branding strategy for this product is strategically designed to elicit sentiments of comfort and intimacy, providing users with a seamless and ethereal communication experience across vast distances. The overarching aesthetic objective is to prompt users to value and appreciate the individuals who have entered their lives and assumed significance
Branding
Wireframe to Prototype
Usability Test
Revised Design
My proposition:
The product I am offering includes features designed to encourage people to connect with their friends and families more easily. These features have been developed to streamline the process of getting someone's attention. By utilizing these features, users can foster meaningful connections with their long-distance friends and family members, potentially leading to more in-depth conversations.
Connection energy bar:
Based on users' frequency of connection with their friends, the system would generate a "connection energy bar." When this bar is fully charged, it would unlock a quick photo snap feature for immediate communication with their friend.
Photo Package:
Users enjoy convenient and swift access to the "photo package" within their chat. This feature allows users to stay updated on their friends' and family members' lives through the package and respond accordingly.
Weekly/daily package:
Depending on the user's schedule and the depth of their relationships with friends and family, they have the option to select either a daily or weekly photo package delivery frequency. This feature is crafted to cater to individuals who may not capture an extensive number of photos in their daily lives but aspire to facilitate seamless connections.
Photo package organizer:
Sending a quick photo package is an effortless means of connecting with others. The application enhances the experience by efficiently filtering and organizing your recent life's photos.
NEXT STEP…
ENCOUNTERING MEANINGFUL CHALLENGES!
Overall, this project was both challenging and therapeutic. Researching the history and backgrounds of travel was inspiring; however, finding innovative ways to reinvent features that enhance people's travel experiences proved to be a challenging task.
Moreover, designing an app from scratch was an extremely rewarding experience. I had the opportunity to conduct research, interview users, analyze collected data, and create high-fidelity interfaces. Throughout the process, I learned that a successful product must be supported by qualitative data, a clear user flow, and extensive user feedback.