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To design a user-friendly and graphically interesting application based on the concept of problem solving. This was a collaborative project and we designed an application that focused on enhancing sleep quality. Emphasizing both form and functionality, the goal was to create a seamless user experience that empowers individuals to overcome sleep challenges and achieve restorative rest.
DURATION
8 Weeks
TEAM
ROLE
Team Project
UX Research
UX Design
UI Design
Empathize
Research
Analysis
Design
Validation
CHALLENGE
Create a digital product that offers forms of safety from modern day dangers. The designed solution should center on the needs and goals of a specific population or institution. The design should introduce innovative approaches and/or establish new experiences around safety.
SOLUTION
A sleep application designed to reduce users' sleep deprivation. Through sleep tracking and analysis, coupled with the opportunity to consult experts and engage in stress-reducing tasks, the app is dedicated to enhancing users' sleep quality. By leveraging data-driven insights, we aim to ensure a more refreshing wake-up experience, empowering users to achieve truly restful sleep.
User Persona
We started with a detailed description of our user persona to establish the context and target audience for our project. The goal is to create a realistic representation of users who we can empathize with as we think about the solutions they might need.
User Research
We conducted user interview and received feedback from users that we incorporated into user personas. A primary user group identified through research was individuals caught up in the constant hustle and unpredictable lifestyles, often overlooking the paramount importance of their health. Our focus is on college students and working professionals.
We created 3 Pie Charts as a quantitative data based on the interview to gain a broader perspective on the sleep deprivation problem and it was a stepping stone for me to learn more deeply about the underlying reasons behind it.
Empathy Map
Then we created an Empathy Map to visualize user attitudes and behaviors, helping us understand end users better. This exercise reinforced our understanding of the prevalent pain points, highlighting the numerous distracting elements that hinder individuals from achieving their sleep-related goals.
Problem Statements
Based on the insights gathered from primary research, we created 3 problem statements that encapsulate the challenges or needs identified by users.
I am a college student working a
part-time job as a behavior technician trying to maintain optimal productivity at work, but because of persistent sleep deprivation due to irregular sleep patterns, I feel increasingly fatigued and unfocused.
I am a busy professional trying to maintain a healthy work-life balance and prioritize sufficient sleep each night, but because of the lack of accessible resources and expert advice on managing and preventing sleep deprivation, I feel overwhelmed and unsure about how to improve my sleep habits.
I am an engineering student who is trying to sleep for a minimum of 7 hours every day, but because of the prevalence of my phone, I often get sucked into it and end up being on it for hours at a time which takes away from my sleep and makes me feel tired and groggy in the morning.
How Might We Questions
Follow up with a series of How Might We (HMW) questions derived from the problem statements. These questions help us frame the problem-solving process and guide ideation.
HMW
help people track and analyze their sleep patterns to identify signs of sleep deprivation?
HMW
provide people with access to resources and expert advice on managing and preventing sleep deprivation?
HMW
minimize people's usage of electrical devices before bed?
Secondary Research
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 35% of adults are not getting enough sleep. This comes out to about 84 million adults sleeping less than the recommended 7 or more hours a night."
"As reported at an Architecture School in the Midwest, only 4% of students obtained at least 7 hours of sleep at night; the average sleep duration was 5.7 hours."
"According to the NCBI, 50% of college students feel sleepy during the day and 70% feel like they get insufficient sleep."
"According to the National Sleep Foundation, 89% of adults and 75% of children have at least one electronic device in their bedrooms."
Competitive Analysis
We used the SWOT method to conduct a competitive analysis and gain insights into the current landscape of other apps in the market. This approach helped us identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with these apps.
Product Map
First, we have to consider the entire journey that users might take in order to get what they need from the product. We created a product map that illustrates the elements that make up the system of our concept. Instead of focusing on just the tasks (functions/features) involved. It also includes everything (direct and indirect inputs), ranging from other systems and software to the people involved and their roles.
Product name: Restify
Product goal: Improve sleep quality
Primary “User”: Individuals with busy schedule
Context of use: daily life, before and after sleeping
Paper Thumbnails
Taking the time to draft iterations of each screen of the app on paper ensured that elements that made it to digital wireframes would be well-suited to address user pain points.
Digital Wireframe
As the initial design phase continued, we made sure to base screen designs on feedback and findings from the user research.
UI Design
We had two factors in mind when contemplating the general aesthetic and direction of the app's appearance:
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It is a sleep application so it needs to be simple.
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It will probably be used a lot in the evening so a darker UI is essential.
Competitors
Style Guide
FINAL DESIGN
The final design represents key areas and include functions employed throughout our system. The visual designs exhibit creativity, good aesthetics, and be appropriate for the intended functionality and in-context use.
What I learned
This project was a big jump for me. I gained invaluable insights into the importance of collaboration and user-centered design principles. Throughout the project, I discovered the importance of always putting the user first in the design process, ensuring that every decision made is aligned with their needs and goals. By prioritizing user safety and well-being, particularly in the context of a sleep app designed to improve sleep quality, I honed my skills in creating empathetic and effective digital experiences.
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