Application Design 1 - Project 3 / Low-Fi App Design Prototype

26/9/2024 - 5/12/2024 (Week 11 - Week 14)
Shawn Wong Kai Hen / 0375372
Application Design 1 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Project 3:  Low-Fi Prototype



 LECTURES 

Week 11 / Wireframe & UI Kit
This week, we are starting Project 3: Lo-Fi App Design Prototype. Our first task is to choose a UI Kit that includes our design's typography, color palette, and iconography. Once the UI Kit is finalized, we will begin creating the Low Fidelity Prototype using black, grey, and white colors.

Fig 1.1 Week 11 Lecture


Week 12 / User Testing
Mr.Zeon required us must need create 3 scenarios for user test and provide feedback, with compulsory recording. After receiving and analyzing the feedback, we can make improvements and proceed to create the high-fidelity prototype.

Fig 1.2 Week 12 Lecture



  INSTRUCTIONS  




 REQUIREMENTS 

1. Visual Design Concept
Create a cohesive visual design strategy that reflects your application's branding. This strategy should define the color palette, typography, and imagery to establish the application's aesthetic. Ensure these elements work together to communicate the intended tone and enhance the user experience.

2. Wireframes
Design wireframes for the mobile application screens using Figma. These wireframes should clearly outline the layout, content structure, navigation flow, and interactive components, providing a detailed blueprint for the app's user interface.

3. Usability Testing
Perform usability testing on your low-fidelity prototype to evaluate the user flow and overall experience. Recruit individuals such as friends, family members, or classmates to interact with your prototype and share their feedback. Be sure to document their insights and suggestions, and use this information to refine and improve your design.

4. Deliverables
Prepare a digital submission featuring your low-fidelity prototype, wireframes, and visual design concept. Include a concise overview of the usability testing outcomes, highlighting key feedback and the changes implemented to enhance your design. Ensure this document is well-organized and uploaded to your e-portfolio as part of your project showcase.



Week 11 - 13 / Wireframe Sketch & UI Kit & Design Process

1. UI Kit
This week, we began the design phase of our app project. I started by creating a UI kit before proceeding to the wireframes. A well-structured UI kit is crucial in app design as it ensures consistency and efficiency in the design process. By incorporating icons and text elements, the UI kit facilitates intuitive navigation and enhances user recognition of key features. Below is the draft of my initial UI kit, showcasing the foundational components and visual elements for the app’s interface. 


Fig 2.1 UI Kit Progress


2. Reference
Next, I began researching design references from existing cinema apps, including TGV, GSC, and MegaCineplex, to gather inspiration and ideas for creating a user-friendly and appealing app. These references provided valuable insights into effective design practices and features that enhance usability and user satisfaction. Conducting research is a critical step in the design process, as it helps ensure that the final outcome is both functional and engaging. Without proper research and references, the design could lack direction and fail to meet user expectations.

Fig 2.2 Reference


3. Process of Designing
After completing the research and brainstorming for the design, I began creating the wireframe. I started with the login page, following the flowchart I had previously developed. By building the design step by step, I ensured that each component aligned with the user journey. The image below illustrates the flow for the login and forgot password pages, showcasing how users will navigate through these initial steps of the app. This structured approach allows for a clear and seamless user experience.

Fig 2.3 Login Page Progress

After completing the login page, I was occupied with other assignments for a few days, which slowed my progress on the app design. However, Mr. Zeon extended the submission deadline, allowing me more time to focus on completing the project. To make the most of the extension, I decided to prioritize designing the home page. Completing the home page first provides a clearer overview of the app's structure and helps identify additional pages that need to be developed. This approach ensures a more organized and efficient workflow as I aim to finish as much as possible within the given timeframe.

 
Fig 2.4 Low-Fi Progress

The next phase of the design process involved creating the movie page. The images below illustrate the entire flow for purchasing movie tickets. The process begins with selecting the movie, followed by choosing the preferred date, time, and seat. Users then review and confirm their booking details, including options for food and drinks. Once all selections are finalized, the user proceeds to checkout and completes the payment. The streamlined flow concludes with a confirmation of the successful transaction, ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience.

Fig 2.5 Low-Fi Progress

Here is the design for the profile page, crafted with simplicity and functionality in mind to ensure users can easily access and locate the features they need. The profile page includes a rewards section, allowing users to redeem vouchers and conveniently apply them during the movie booking process. This feature addresses a common issue where users often forget to utilize their vouchers at checkout, enhancing the overall user experience.

Fig 2.6 Low-Fi Progress

Below are some components and elements designed for pop-up overlays. These features are crafted to be intuitive, ensuring users can easily understand and navigate them. The pop-ups are functional and user-friendly, providing seamless interaction and enhancing the overall usability of the application.

Fig 2.7 Features Progress

Below is the overall low-fidelity design, consisting of approximately 42 pages. While this provides a solid foundation, additional pages may need to be designed to incorporate more detailed features and ensure a comprehensive user experience for the app.

Fig 2.8 Overall Progress


4. Usability Testing
This week, we began preparing the prototype and initiated the process of conducting usability testing with three users. To ensure a meaningful evaluation, we focused on creating a low-fidelity prototype that included three specific scenarios for users to navigate. This approach allowed us to gather valuable feedback on the usability and functionality of the app, helping us identify areas for improvement.

Fig 2.9 Usability Testing, 3 Scenarios - Week 13 (20/12/24)


Scenario 1: Add Movie To Favorite (Click to View)

Fig 2.10 Scenario 1 - Week 13 (21/12/24)

Imagine you are new user and need to navigate the Dadi Cinema App and explore what function exists.

  • As a new user browsing the app, you find a movie of interest but aren't ready to buy a ticket. You add it to your bookmark list for easy access later, keeping your options open.

  • Before browser the movie, select the cinema location first before browser the movie.

  • A slide-up window shows that you need to select the location for the cinema. Press continue after confirm the location.

  • After continue, it will direct bring you to the movie page, at the movie page you can start searching the movie you interested.

  • But for now you are not buying the ticket, Open the More Info for the movie to access the details for the movie, It will directly bring you to the movie details page.

  • Now you are at the movie details page, you can review all the movie details here, now try to add to favourite the movie to easy access went you need to find back.

  • After favourite the movie, back to the homepage, Click the bookmark icon to the top right and access to the movie that you have favourite.

  • Finally, return to the homepage and click on the notification icon. This feature keeps you updated with the latest details or promotions related to the movies, ensuring you never miss out.

Scenario 2: Purchase Movie Ticket (Click to View)

Fig 2.11 Scenario 2 - Week 13 (21/12/24)

Imagine you are a new user and you need to purchase a movie ticket on the Dadi Cinema App.

  • The process begins on the Movie Page, where you can explore detailed information about the movie to help you make an informed decision before purchasing a ticket.

  • Return to the Movie Page after reviewing the details, and select a showtime that best fits your schedule.

  • Now, you need to book the seat and continue to the next part.

  • After selecting your seat, confirm the ticket quantity for the chosen showtime and add the tickets to your cart.

  • After adding the tickets to your cart, proceed to the F&B page, where you can select your preferred beverages. If you're not interested, simply click to continue to the next step.

  • Next, proceed to the checkout and payment section. Review and confirm the details and total price before moving forward to the payment gateway.

  • Proceed to the payment gateway, where you can enter your personal information and bank details or select an alternative payment method to complete the transaction.

  • Once the payment is complete, a slide-up notification will appear indicating whether the payment was successful or failed. Click "Done" to return to the homepage.

  • Next, select "My Ticket" on the homepage navigation bar to view the ticket you just purchased.

  • Click on the ticket in the pending section to view the details and QR code, which will grant you access to the cinema.

Scenario 3: Redeem & Apply Voucher (Click to View)

Fig 2.12 Scenario 3 - Week 13 (21/12/24)

Imagine you are a new user using the Dadi Cinema App, you need try to redeem and apply the voucher for purchase movie ticket.

  • To redeem the voucher, navigate to the profile page.

  • On the Profile page, review the reward highlights for the voucher. Click "View All" to access additional voucher details.

  • Now on the voucher page, select the voucher you're interested in redeeming.

  • After selecting a voucher, a pop-up will display the voucher details. Click "Redeem Now" to apply the voucher.

  • After redeeming the voucher, a confirmation screen will appear, indicating that the voucher has been successfully redeemed and added to your "My Rewards."

  • Return to the profile page and navigate to "My Rewards" to browse the voucher you just redeemed.

  • Select the voucher you just redeemed, and a pop-up will appear. Click "Book Now" to begin booking your movie ticket.

I hosted an online Zoom session with the participants from the previous phase, allowing them to explore the prototype independently. During the session, I provided clarification when they encountered challenges and guided them through specific features. Afterward, we engaged in a collaborative discussion to identify the issues they faced and brainstorm potential solutions.

View My Low-Fi Interview Here - Recording Documents


Usability Testing Feedback

Fig 3.1 User Feedback - PDF



5. Final Outcomes

Demonstrating Video / Low-FI 



Figma View - Work File

Fig 3.1 Low-Fi App Design- Week 14 (26/12/24)

Figma View - Prototype


Fig 3.2 Low-Fi App Design Prototype- Week 14 (26/12/24)



  FEEDBACK  

Feedback from Handsome Zeon

Week 12
  • Navigation bar bottom spacing too wide, try to reduce some or down the icon and the middle button.
  • Some page like promotions page can change some layout design make it different and more intresting.
Week 13
  • Overall design is ok, keep up the progress.
  • Need to have the 3 scenario.
Week 14
  • Overall the flow and design is ok and nice, but maybe some part align not match and the bottom spacing too much, modified it.
  • Not enough for the 3 scenarios, need to add few more.



 REFLECTION 

Experience
For Project 3, my primary focus was on developing a low-fidelity prototype and conducting an in-depth research study to test and validate the design concepts. By creating a basic, interactive prototype, I could rapidly iterate on ideas and evaluate them with real users, gaining crucial insights into their interaction with the interface. Utilizing methods such as user testing, observational analysis, and follow-up interviews, I assessed the intuitiveness of the design and identified potential usability challenges. This iterative approach allowed me to refine the app’s features based on practical feedback, rather than relying on assumptions or theoretical scenarios.

The low-fidelity prototype provided an opportunity to concentrate on fundamental functionalities and user flows, setting aside visual design details at this stage. This streamlined version of the app acted as a testing platform for essential interactions and tasks, enabling me to evaluate the success of my design choices. Engaging directly with users uncovered specific areas that required adjustments or a complete redesign, ensuring that the final product delivered a seamless and intuitive user experience.

Findings
This project underscored the significance of iterative design and real-world testing as integral components of the design process. Working with a low-fidelity prototype allowed me to efficiently explore various iterations and challenge my initial assumptions about the app's usability. The accompanying research study emphasized how essential user feedback is in uncovering pain points and refining the design. Even at the prototyping stage, minor adjustments—such as reorganizing button placement or enhancing navigation clarity—had a substantial impact on improving the overall user experience.

Observations
The research study and prototype testing revealed several key insights. Simplicity and clarity emerged as top priorities for users, who often expressed frustration with convoluted navigation or overly complicated workflows. Common pain points included excessive steps for completing basic tasks and insufficient feedback following specific actions. Conversely, users appreciated features that were intuitive and immediately useful, such as quick access to essential tools and prominent call-to-action buttons.

Usability testing highlighted opportunities for improvement, particularly in minimizing cognitive load. Feedback indicated that navigating between screens was a challenge for many users, emphasizing the need for a more seamless flow and intuitive wayfinding. Additionally, some users noted that the interactions felt too rigid, underscoring the importance of designing a more adaptive and user-friendly experience that better aligns with diverse user needs.





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