PlanThis

An end-to-end MVP app that streamlines the planning process for friends from start to finish.

How did we get here?

Background

People are social creatures and love to spend time with others for all sorts of reasons; whether it's networking, catching up with friends, celebrating a special occasion, or going on a date. These days, phones and social media make it easy to connect and plan with others, and there are even apps to help us keep our schedules organized. However, it can be challenging for some people to make decisions and come up with fun activities to do, especially when coordinating with multiple people. That's why having the right resources can make all the difference in making and finalizing plans.

My role

Timeline

Tools

Client

UX/UI design, research, information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing

5 weeks

Figma, FigJam, Mural, Notion

Student Project

What's the problem?

I hypothesized a few key features that should be present in an app that streamlines the planning process based on conversations with others:

• Ability to share calendars and availability amongst friends.
  
• Activity suggestions and randomizations that are personalized based on the user's interests, location, and group size.

Design Goals

• To provide users with the tools and resources they need to make decisions, plan activities, and finalize plans with ease.
  
• To make it easy for users to sync their calendars with their peers and view available times for group plans.
  
• To provide personalized recommendations for activities based on the user's interests, location, and group size.
  
• To provide a random activity generator feature that helps ease the pain of coming up with different activities.

Research

Overview

• Define the target audience for the app and identify their specific needs and preferences.
  
• Conduct a competitive analysis to understand the current market.
  
• Analyze the current website to identify any issues or areas for improvement.
  
• Conduct user interviews and surveys to gather feedback and insights on the desired features and functionality of the website.
  
• Test prototypes and iterate on the design based on user feedback.

Market Research

After looking at five other similar apps, I noticed that many of them have features such as being able to invite friends, plan events, and have conversations. However, I also noticed that each app was missing at least one important feature.

What are the users saying?

The user interviews aimed to gather valuable insights and feedback on the website design and functionality from a group of individuals who showed interest in an app like this. I conducted a virtual semi-structured user interview with four participants via Google Meet. The results of the interviews provided valuable information that helped to shape the application and make it more user-friendly.
 

What does Christy think?

To gain a deeper understanding of the users’ needs and preferences, I used the findings of the user interviews to create this persona. This ensures that the design process is user-centered- it keeps the target audience at the forefront of design decisions and provide a better understanding on how design choices can impact the end-user.

Understanding the user

I created some HMW and POV statements to put the user at the center of the design process and ensure that I have a deep understanding of their needs, motivations, and challenges.

Point of view

• I’d like to explore ways to help people who are planning a gathering to have a better way of organizing the plans because it’s difficult maintaining multiple platforms.
  
• I’d like to explore ways to help friend groups to have a more intuitive way of tracking each other’s availability because it’s easier to see everyone’s free times rather than to go back and forth with messages.
  
• I’d like to explore ways to motivate people who are unresponsive and indecisive to be reminded to respond and make decisions because it is unfair when one person has to constantly keep track.

How might we?

• How might we make it easier for friends to coordinate their schedules and find a time that works for everyone?
  
• How might we simplify the process of choosing an activity?
  
• How might we create a platform that seamlessly integrates with other tools and services friends use to organize their lives?
  
• How might we entice users to utilize this product rather than their existing work flow/products right now?

Ideation

Feature Set

Based on market research and user interviews, the must have features listed below can provide the users with the most convenient planning experience.

Task Flow and User Flow

After analyzing the desired features, I was able to identify and streamline the task flow and user flow for the app.

Site Map and Information Architecture

Wireframing

Wireframing is imperative because it allows experimentation with different ideas and concepts, and more clearly defines the sequence of screens and interactions that a user will experience when using the app.

Developing the brand

Before I started on the designing, I wanted to develop a brand identity that reflects the fun and exciting experience of social planning. With a focus on entertaining, engaging, and inviting features, this app encourages collaboration among friends to make the planning process effortless and enjoyable.

Prototyping

Prototyping provides room for testing, refining, and validating design concepts and decisions, while improving the user experience and building a shared understanding among stakeholders. Some main pages included in this prototype are:

• Home page
• Create event page
• Random activity generator
• Calendar page
• Event page

To better understand what the users prefer, I created two different versions, and conducted a moderated AB testing virtually via Google Meet with five participants.

Iterations after usability testing

I conducted semi-moderated usability tests virtually with five participants via Google Meet. After user testing, I identified a few areas where I can improve the UI experience on the app to make it more seamless and friendly. I want to ensure that the app not only meets the needs and preferences of our users, but also maintains an aesthetic and vibe that is consistent with the branding.

Before & afters:

Future steps

If I had no constraints, I would:

• Create the database that is integrated with other sites such as google and yelp for the users to be able to explore more options near them based on location.
• Create a squad chat and calendar for people who want to make it easier to create events for a specific group of people.

Let's connect!

Email: Jacquelinehe97@gmail.com