Case study that delves into how we navigated the project with constraints of both time and budget, while educating the client on the value of user research throughout.
Background:
The owner of a bodyguard company recognized that there is a need for a mobile application that offers a reliable and efficient solution for individuals and event organizers to access personal security services and bodyguards. The existing options for sourcing security personnel are often fragmented, lack transparency, and are limited in accessibility, making it challenging for users to find and book trustworthy protection services when needed.
Objective:
Design a native mobile app that makes it simple for users to book their own personal protection by seamlessly connecting users with trained professionals.
Team:
My Role - Lead Designer and Project Manager.
UI Designer / Interaction Designer - Deepti
TIMELINE:
1 Month
- - - - - - - - - - - - - RESEARCH - - - - - - - - - - - - -
*Note: Before our research began, our client didn't recognize the significance of conducting user research. Due to the timeline constraints, he suggested that we skip research altogether, and jump directly into designing. We undertook the responsibility of educating and enlightening our client about how integral user research is in creating impactful and user-centric solutions. To educate our client about the importance of user research, we employed a multi-faceted approach:
USER INTERVIEWS:
We conducted remote interviews with 15 participants from diverse backgrounds, including business travelers, event organizers, and high-profile individuals. The interviews took place over a period of two weeks and were recorded for analysis.
USER STORIES:
After our conversations we came up with user stories to reflect the lives of our users and to highlight scenarios in which our app can make a meaningful impact.
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS:
PROS
- Location services for both apps.
- Both provide security agents and car services.
- Both provide security agents and car services.
CONS
- Personal data collected before sign up.
- Visual issues including hierarchy and misalignment.
- Onboarding takes users outside of the app.
- Visual issues including hierarchy and misalignment.
- Onboarding takes users outside of the app.
CHALLENGES + PAIN POINTS:
The research findings allowed us to understand user motivations, pain points and expectations. We discovered several design principles and features that should be incorporated into the design:
*By employing these strategies, we successfully educated our client about the indispensable role of user research in achieving their project goals, fostering a deeper appreciation for user-centric design principles and practices. However, because of the shorter timeline, we knew we had to get to work.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - IDEATE - - - - - - - - - - - - -
As eager as we were to get started, we knew that we had to assemble these insights into a visual framework to better prepare us. These methods helped us understand our users even better and ensure that the app would meet the needs of our users. Here's how we did it:
Information Architecture:
We came up with 3 key features - Home/Search, Activity/History, and Account/Profile that we used to create the flows.
User Flows:
After multiple rounds of iterations, we were able to finalize and proceed to the next step.
UI / Logo Design by Deepti:
Icons - Material Design
Graphic Icons - Noun Project
Colors - Color Hunt
Color Scale - Matercolor Plugin
- - - - - - - - - - - - - DESIGN - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SOLUTION #1: SIMPLICITY
Our top priority was ensuring that the entire mobile app experience, from sign up to booking, provided an effortless and seamless experience. In response to user insights, we focused on eliminating unnecessary hurdles, while keeping users within the app at all times. This approach not only enhances user satisfaction but also sets the tone for a user-friendly app that respects users' time and needs.
SOLUTION #2: CREDIBILITY
It was paramount to instill a sense of confidence in users based on the user interviews research. We incorporated detailed profiles of bodyguards with thorough background checks, client reviews, and ratings. Users expressed overall that they would want to make an informed decisions, ensuring that their chosen bodyguard aligns with their unique needs.
SOLUTION #3: CUSTOMIZATIONS
It was paramount to instill a sense of confidence in users based on the user interviews research. We incorporated detailed profiles of bodyguards with thorough background checks, client reviews, and ratings. Users expressed overall that they would want to make an informed decisions, ensuring that their chosen bodyguard aligns with their unique needs.
SOLUTION #4: REAL-TIME UPDATES
Real-time updates fosters trust between users and the app's services, making it a vital component in the overall effectiveness of the platform. Tracking the arrival of a security professional, and receiving live location updates is a vital component in the overall effectiveness of the platform in addressing personal security needs.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - CONCLUSION - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Handoff:
In addition to the visual UI elements, we included detailed notes about the user experience and interactions throughout the figma file for the developer to use. We presented the app for review to the client and the feedback was positive and was approved for development.
CHALLENGES:
