Spectacular (Mobile App)

Introduction

Spectacular underwent a redesign to better user experience and engagement on its web platform. Despite improvements, users expressed a strong need for a mobile app to access the platform conveniently from anywhere. This case study outlines the design process and outcomes of creating the Spectacular mobile app.

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Problem

Users of Spectacular, primarily architects and designers, found it challenging to access the platform on-the-go, leading to decreased engagement and convenience.

IMPORTANCE OF SOLVING THE PROBLEM

Enhancing mobile accessibility would significantly improve user engagement, satisfaction, and convenience, aligning with modern usage trends.

Design Goal

• Develop a mobile app for on-the-go access.
• Enhance user engagement and interaction.
• Simplify user experience on mobile devices.
• Ensure consistency with the redesigned web platform.

UX/UI Requirements

• Intuitive navigation and clean interface.
• Core functionalities: project posting, image sharing, social updates.
• Consistent branding with the web platform.
• Optimized for performance on iOS and Android devices.

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Research and Discovery

Agile Development: Iterative design and development process.

User-Centered Design: Focus on user needs and feedback.

User Research Methods

• Survey: Quantitative data from a broad user base.
• User Interviews: Qualitative insights from targeted users.
• Personas: Representative archetypes of key user segments.
• User Empathy Map: Understanding user emotions and experiences.
• User Journey Story: Visualizing user interactions with the platform.

SURVEY: 30 PARTICIPANTS

• Understand the extent of frustration among users regarding the lack of mobile access to Spectacular.
• Determine the specific functionalities and features related to project sharing that users find most valuable.
• Assess the importance of image sharing for receiving feedback and its impact on user engagement.
• Gauge the demand for social updates among users and identify preferred content types.

SURVEY TAKEAWAYS

• 85% of students and 70% of professionals expressed frustration with the lack of mobile access.
• 90% valued the ability to share projects on-the-go.
• 80% highlighted the importance of image sharing for feedback.
• 75% desired social updates to stay informed about industry trends.

USER INTERVIEWS: VIDEO CALL. 10 PARTICIPANTS

• Explore how users define “quick access” and what features would facilitate faster interaction with Spectacular.
• Understand how professionals currently utilize their commute time and how a mobile app could enhance their productivity.
• Investigate the specific networking needs and preferences of younger architects within the industry.

USER INTERVIEWS TAKEAWAYS

• Users needed quick access for inspiration and updates.
• Professionals wanted to utilize commute time effectively.
• Networking opportunities were a key aspect for younger architects.

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User Analysis

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User stories

• As a design student, I want to create a project and join a Studio Award competition, so I can showcase my work, get community feedback, and gain recognition from a renowned jury.
• As an architect, I want to check updates on Spectacular while commuting, so I stay informed about new trends and projects.
• As a young architect, I want to share images from the AIA conference, so I can showcase my experience and insights with my network on Spectacular.

USER JOURNEY TAKEAWAYS

Opportunities:

• Improve app performance to reduce loading times.
• Enhance the search functionality for more intuitive and helpful results.
• Streamline navigation to make accessing the profile section easier.
• Continue gathering user feedback to identify and address pain points.

Pain Points:

• Slow Loading: Frustrating initial load times.
• Cluttered Search: Overwhelming search results.
• Complex Navigation: Difficult access to certain sections.
• Network Issues: Poor performance with weak connections.

User Experience:

• Positive: Easy project saving and notification checking.
• Negative: Frustration with slow load times, cluttered search, and complex navigation.

Actions:

• Design search with clear filters and better suggestions.
• Create an intuitive navigation bar.
• Use in-app surveys and testing for continuous improvement.

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Design Outcome

• Inclusion of Universal Search bar.
• Featured content at the top.
• Fixed search bar upon scrolling.
• Networking Suggestions on Homepage: Carousel with user details.
• Search Bar Improvements: Simplified process, clearer filters.
• Posting Functionality: Quick updates, promote engagement.
• Search Functionality: Universal search, improved discoverability.

WIREFRAME PROTOTYPES:

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User Testing

PAPER PROTOTYPE INTERVIEW

Conducted video call interviews with 8 participants.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

• Positive feedback on navigation and ease of use from 75% of participants.
• 85% of participants found the homepage layout intuitive and easy to navigate.

WHAT WENT WRONG

• Users found the posting process slightly complex, with 50% expressing confusion.
• 60% of participants encountered difficulty in locating specific features, such as the search bar.

DESIGN ACTIONS TO TAKE

• Simplified the posting process and enhanced the search functionality.

ITERATION AFTER THE USER INTERVIEW

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Brand Elements

SPECTACULAR BRANDING

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Hi-Fi Prototype

MAIN FLOW

Home Screen Iteration

ADDRESSING CEO FEEDBACK:

• The current “Post” icon (and it the selection variant mode), could be misinterpreted as the “Edit” icon. To improve clarity, we recommend revising the design of the “Post” icon.
• To enhance user experience, we propose replacing the “hamburger icon” used for filtering functionality with a more intuitive and recognizable symbol.

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Next Steps

• Integrate New Features: Based on user feedback, such News and in a second face, Direct Messaging.
• Ability to create Groups.
• Ability to easily share the user Profile with other Apps and platforms.

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Outcomes

• Increased Engagement: 40% increase in user engagement within the first month.
• Improved Experience: 90% of users reported a positive experience.
• Consistency: Designs align with the web platform for a seamless experience.
• User Satisfaction: 95% user satisfaction with the app’s convenience and functionality.