Application Design 1 - Project 2

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26/9/2024 - 5/12/2024 (Week 5 - Week 11)
Shawn Wong Kai Hen / 0375372
Application Design 1 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Project 2:  UI/UX Design Document


 LECTURES 

Week 5 / Card Sorting

In class, Mr. Zeon asks us to form groups of 3-4 people. Each group will collaboratively take on different roles: researcher, designer, and strategist. The researcher's role is to gather insights by interviewing their group members about their travel habits and preferences. The designer will visualize these insights by sketching out app features or a simple interface mockup. The strategist will analyze the practicality of these ideas, prioritizing them based on user needs and feasibility. At the end of the activity, each group will present their proposed travel planning app concept, highlighting their unique features and categories that address real-world travel challenges.

Fig 1.1 Lecture / Card Sorting - Week 5 (24/10/2024) 
Fig 1.2 Group Work Presentation - Week 5 (24/10/2024) 



Fig 1.3 Class Activities - Week 5 (24/10/2024) 


Week 7 / User Experience Research

In today’s lecture, we explored the fundamentals of user experience (UX) research, focusing on how to define the research objectives for our Project 2. Mr. Zeon introduced us to different UX research methods and provided practical guidance on conducting user research effectively. We also received feedback during a consultation session regarding the outcomes of last week’s card sorting activity. This week, our assignment is to design a comprehensive set of questions for both online surveys and in-depth interviews to gather valuable user insights.



Fig 1.4 Lecture /  User Experience Research - Week 7 (7/11/2024) 


Week 7 - 8 / UI/UX Design Document

This week is our study week, and Mr. Zeon has prepared lecture slides along with additional learning materials for us. Here what we need to accomplish:

1.Finalize your interview and online questionnaire questions.
2.Find your participants and conduct the interviews and online questionnaires.
3.Create at least three user personas.
*Remember, user personas should be based on research and real data. After using tools like interviews and surveys to gather accurate information about your audience, you should be able to generate these personas effectively. 

Fig 1.5 Lecture / UI/UX Design Document - Week 8 (14/11/2024) 


Week 9 / User Journey & Card Sorting

After returning to class following a week-long holiday, Mr. Zeon informed us that our progress was behind schedule and emphasized the need to accelerate our efforts to stay on track. This initially left us feeling anxious and uncertain about completing the project on time. However, Mr. Zeon provided a detailed briefing and constructive feedback on our work, ensuring we had the guidance needed to align our progress with the project timeline. His support helped us regain focus and confidence to move forward effectively.

Fig 1.6 Lecture / User Journey & Card Sorting - Week 9 (21/11/2024) 

Week 10 / Site Map & User Flow

This week, Mr. Zeon introduced us to new tasks during the briefing session. Following the briefing, he conducted individual reviews of our Project 2 progress to assess our current status. During my session, I received valuable feedback from Mr. Zeon, highlighting areas for improvement and providing clear guidance to enhance my work.

Fig 1.7 Lecture / Site Map & User Flow - Week 8 (28/11/2024) 


 Instructions 



Project 2 - UI/UX Design Document

Week 5 - Card Sorting
Identify Content: List all the pieces of content or features in the EasyBook app that want to include in the card sort:

Fig 2.1 Card Sorting & Card Sorting with Wild Cart - week 5 - 6 (26- 28/10/24)



Week 6 - Public Holiday

We are required to create a series of questions for user research after completing the first project and presenting it. I have decided to use a survey questionnaire as the research approach for this assignment. Through the survey, we will be able to collect valuable data from participants, which will help me gain a better understanding of their preferences and experiences with the Dadi Cinema app.


Week 7 - Develop Survey Questions
1.0 Quantitative - Survey Questionnaire
Target Respondent: 50
Questionnaire (4 Section)
  • Section A: Demographic 
  • Section B: Usage of Dadi Cinema App
  • Section C: User Experience and Preferences
  • Section D: Overall design and experience
2.0 Qualitative -Interview Questionnaire
Target Interview: 3
Questionnaire (2 Section)
  • Section A: Basic Information
  • Section B: In-depth Experience with Dadi Cinema App
Fig 2.1 Questionnaire - week 7 (13/11/24)


Week 7 & 8 - Received Feedback and Refine Questionnaire 
This week, there are no scheduled classes due to independent learning week. However, Mr. Zeon has shared this week’s lecture slides and supplementary materials for us to review and reference.

Here’s the plan for the week:

  1. Submit the draft questionnaire to Mr. Zeon for feedback and improvements.
  2. Finalize both the interview and online survey questions.
  3. Select participants and begin gathering research data.
  4. Create a minimum of three detailed user personas.
Fig 2.2 Feedback From Mr. Zeon - week 7 (13/11/24)

Week 8 - Modify Survey Questions
I sent my survey questionnaire to Mr. Zeon via email for review. He identified areas for improvement and suggested an improved structure to enhance my survey questions. After making the necessary modifications, I have transferred all the questions to a Google Form for respondents to answer.

Fig 2.3 Transfer question to google form - week 8 (18/11/24)

Fig 2.4 Google Form Survey - week 8 (18/11/24)


Interview
At the same time when collecting data though google form, I have found 3 participants and conduct the interviews.

Interview Questionnaire: 

Target Interview: 3


Questionnaire (2 Section)

● Section A: Basic Information

● Section B: In-depth Experience with Dadi Cinema App


Section A: Basic Information


1. Can you please introduce yourself?

a. What is your name?

b. What is your age?

c. What is your occupation?


2. Have you used the Dadi Cinema app before?

3. How often do you visit the cinema?

4.How long have you been using the Dadi Cinema app?


Section B: Basic Information


  1. What do you like most about the Dadi Cinema app?
  2. Can you describe any specific experiences you’ve had while using the app?
  3. Have you encountered any challenges or issues while using the app?

  4. How would you compare your experience with the Dadi Cinema app to other cinema apps you’ve used?

  5. How intuitive do you find the app’s navigation and overall user interface?

  6. What improvements or new features would enhance your experience with the Dadi Cinema app?

  7. How do you feel about the speed and performance of the app?

  8. Would you recommend the Dadi Cinema app to friends or family? Why or why not?

Click HERE to View Interview Video



Data Analysis (Interview)

  • Enhance Interface Design: Simplify the layout to make it more user-friendly and intuitive
  • Visual Appeal: Bright colors and small text make the app hard to use. A soft color scheme and large fonts are recommend
  • Expand App Features: Integrate secure and diverse payment options (e.g., e-wallets, online banking).
  • Streamline the Booking Process: Allow users to save preferences for faster booking. (e.g., favorite cinema or payment method).
  • Include Notifications and Reminders: Send reminders for upcoming shows and promotional offers.
  • Improve Performance and Stability: Fix bugs and glitches that disrupt the user experience.
  • Offer Customer Support Features: Include a live chat or chatbot feature for quick assistance.
  • Improve Movie details: Fill up more info in the blank space and enhance the text and hierarchy for the design.
  • Ratings and Review: Add ratings and review for the movie to easy user to rate and review for the movie.
  • Account Management: To less information and customization option.



Week 9 - Create User Persona / Digital Card Sorting

We are required to create at least three user personas. User personas should be based on research and real data. After using tools like interviews and surveys to gather accurate information about your audience, we should be able to generate these personas effectively.

3 User Persona:

1. Wee Jun Jie
2. Low Zhong
3. Yu Tian



Fig 2.5 User Persona - week 9 (27/11/24)


User Journey Map
I completed the interviews earlier than expected at the start of week 8, even before gathering all the questionnaire responses. To stay on track with the timeline, I began developing the user personas using the data available so far while awaiting additional questionnaire responses.

Fig 2.6 User Journey Map - week 9 (28/11/24)

Digital Card Sorting
This week, our focus shifts to user journey mapping. We'll proceed with the card sorting activity by initiating the digital card sorting phase. Once the setup is complete, share the link with your participants and aim to collect insights from at least seven participants. By next week, the majority of our UX documentation should be finalized.

Using UXtweak as the platform for digital card sorting, I successfully gathered responses from all 7 participants.


Fig 2.6 Digital Card Sorting - week 9 (28/11/24)


Information Architecture Map
After collecting all the response from digital card sorting, I have created my information architecture map, outline the main content and features of the app (Final Version).

Fig 2.7 Information Architecture Map - week 9 (28/11/24)

User Flow Cart
With most of the tasks completed, the final step is to create the user flow chart for the app. This step is critical as it outlines the user's journey through the application, ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience. Crafting the user flow chart may be challenging and time-intensive, but it is essential to achieve a well-structured design that aligns with user expectations and project goals.



Week 10 - Final Project 2
Click HERE to View The Slides




 REFLECTION 
Experience
For Project 2, I adopted a user-centered approach grounded in real-world scenarios to guide my process. Through interviews, surveys, and card sorting, I sought to deeply understand user behaviors, preferences, and challenges when interacting with the app. These research methods provided valuable insights into how users engage with the app’s features, prioritize tasks, and navigate its interface. Developing user flows further allowed me to visualize and enhance the overall user journey, ensuring smooth navigation and resolving common pain points.

Rather than designing with assumptions, I prioritized stepping into the user’s perspective. For example, I explored scenarios like planning a daily itinerary or quickly accessing emergency information, simulating practical interactions with the app. This hands-on approach uncovered subtle usability issues and improvement opportunities that might not have been evident through theory


Observations
The interviews and surveys revealed several important insights, such as the demand for a user-friendly interface, customizable options, and streamlined navigation. The card sorting activity was particularly valuable, offering a clear view of how users instinctively categorize and prioritize information. These findings directly shaped the app's layout, ensuring key features are prominently accessible while supplementary functions are logically arranged.

Creating user flows provided a comprehensive view of the user's journey through the app, helping to pinpoint friction points and opportunities for improvement. This process emphasized the value of a cohesive, user-focused design. Even small tweaks, such as reducing the steps needed to complete a task, proved to have a significant positive impact on the app's usability and user satisfaction.


Findings
This project taught me that user research goes beyond collecting data—it’s about building a genuine connection with users and translating their insights into impactful design solutions. The qualitative input from interviews combined with the quantitative data from surveys provided a well-rounded understanding of user expectations and preferences. Activities like card sorting and mapping user flows offered additional clarity, helping me design an app experience that aligns with user needs and exceeds their expectations.

Overall, this project has enhanced my ability to apply theoretical concepts to practical challenges effectively. By grounding my approach in real-world scenarios, I developed a redesign strategy that prioritizes usability, functionality, and addressing real user pain points. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to see how research-driven insights can directly inform design decisions, resulting in a more intuitive and user-centric app experience.


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