Application Design 1 & Class Exercise

22/4/24 - 13/5/24 // W1-W4
Mercy Chong HuiZiun // 0360929

Application Design // BDCM
Project 1: Mobile Application Proposal


Instructions
Fig 1.0 Module Information Booklet

Lectures
Introduction to Application Design
Application design is the foundation upon which great software is built. It encompasses the visual aesthetics, the way users interact with the product, and the overarching principles that guide the entire development process.

Why application design is important
- Well-designed apps provides a seamless user experience, boosting engagement, retention, and overall customer satisfaction. 

Understanding usability

Difference between UI and UX design

(W3): UX Design (User Experience Design)
-
Empathy
: The ability to step into someone's shoes and understand their experience from their perspective. 

Usability
: Refers to the effectiveness, efficiency, and success of a user in utilizing a product or design within a specific context.

Common usability pitfalls
  • Complex interfaces
    - A wide range of app features can overwhelm users to use the app.
    - Lack of clear labeling and instructions
  • Confusing navigation
    - Inconsistent layout
    - Users spend excessive time to search for the information they need, which leads to frustration and inefficiency.

  • Lacks of Clear Calls to Action (CTA)
  • Inadequate error handling
    - Vague error messages like "An error occurred" don't tell users what went wrong and how to fix the issue.
Key principles of usability
  1. Consistency
    -> Consistent = User-friendly
    Avoids confusing users with unexpected changes in color schemes, navigation, or fonts.

  2. Simplicity
    - Effortless to use
      -> The interface should be intuitive and self-explanatory, reducing the need for extensive instructions or exploration.
    - Crystal clear communication

  3. Visibility
    - Clarity & Hierarchy
    - Focus & Attention
  4. Feedback 


  5. Error Prevention
Importance of error prevention
- Reduced frustration from users
- Increased efficiency
- Improved accuracy

W4 - presentation week (Mobile app proposal)

Project 1: Mobile Application Proposal

[Task To-do]
  • Create a draft mobile app proposal + final proposal documentation on an existing app that you would like to redesign for better user experience and usability

Progression check
Software used: Canva for the slides

Draft proposal
Choose three apps that you believe could benefit from enhancements in their design.
- Include some screenshots of the app design, functions and etc in your proposal slide.
- Identifying the app's strengths and weaknesses.
- Gain insights into the user demographics and data.

Final proposal
Continue progressing with the proposal but the difference is to focus on one app to finalize out of the three apps from the draft proposal.

[Things to include:]
- Table of contents
-Introduction/ About the app
- Background & Contents (app UI design, functions, usability, app review, competitive analysis, strengths & weaknesses + solutions, user demographics, user needs)
- Redesign objective + redesign strategy
- Primary + Secondary goal
- User research methods
- Plans for user testing
- References

App chosen for mobile app proposal
: MyRapid PULSE 



Card sorting exercise
We had an in-class card sorting exercise and I did it with a few of my coursemates together. We have been given an example app which is a travel app and the app features has already provided. We just need to sort it out according to different categories and also add on a category that you think can benefit with this travel app.

Fig 2.1 Group Card sorting results

Fig 2.2 Picture taken with groupmates

Feedbacks

W2: I would suggest you to go for the Myrapid Pulse app for your mobile app proposal since it's not too commonly used and done research on compared to Shopee app. 

W3: For user demographics you can try to look up for some research to collect the user data. Using similarweb.com is the last option.

W4 (presentation proposal slides)
- Add more competitive analysis/screenshots of the other apps rather than just one app comparison 
- Add a redesign strategy slide, can be found from your app weaknesses-solution part.

Email Post

Popular Posts