Application Design /Project 1: Mobile Application Proposal

Start from 22.4.2024

22.4.2024 -13.5.2024 /Week 1- Week 4
Kong Cai Yi / 0363862 
Application Design 1 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media 
Project 1: Mobile Application Proposal

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INDEX

1. Lectures

2. Project 1/ Mobile Application Proposal

3. Feedback

4. Reflections

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LECTURES

Week 1/ Introduction to Mobile Application Design

During the first week, Mr. Zeon briefed us on the MIBand outlined his requirements for this module. He emphasized the critical importance of application design. As our first task, we were assigned to create our draft proposal.

Fig 1.1 Introduction (22.04.2024-week 1)

Week 2/ The Art of User-Centered design (UCD)

This week lecture is about user centered design, user experience design and user interface design. We were informed the process of UCD. For the final submission of Project 1, there are additional components we need to incorporate. Make sure we refer to the Week 2 lecture slides for guidance. We are only required to concentrate on one company app for final proposed idea. The document will evaluate whether the mobile application concept deserves advancement to the next development stage. 

Fig 1.2 Week 2 Lecture (29.04.2024-week 2)

Week 3/ Usability 

This week's lecture emphasizes the crucial role of usability in application design, highlighting principles like consistency, simplicity, visibility, feedback, and error prevention. We're required to present our final proposals in week 4, with each student allocated 5 minutes for their presentation. Attendance is mandatory, and failure to attend will result in a deduction of presentation marks. 

Fig 1.3 Week 3 Lecture (6.05.2024-week 3)

Week 4/ Presentation

This week is the presentation for our Project 1 proposal. Each of us has 5 minutes to present our proposal. Mr. Zeon will take turns picking one person from each table to present, and so on. He will provide feedback after each presentation.

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INSTRUCTIONS

Project 1/ Mobile Application Proposal 

Instructions:

1. Create a proposal documentation for their mobile application project.
2. Redesign an existing app that you find unsatisfactory in terms of the user experience or interface design and it's subject to preliminary approval by the module coordinator.  
3. Do surveys, interviews, market studies and research on the selected topic. 
4. The document should also include key features of their mobile application and provide clear flowchart of the app. 
5. The document will determine whether the mobile application idea is good to continue to the next development phase. 

Things to include in the proposal: 

1. Introduction
- Introduce the purpose of the proposal.
- Explain the importance of mobile application design and how it impacts user experience.

2. Background and Context
- Describe the existing mobile application and its current design.
- Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the current design.
- Explain the user demographics and user needs of the application.

3. Goals and Objectives
- Define the objectives of the redesign.
- Identify the primary and secondary goals for the new design.
- Explain how the new design will address user needs and improve user experience.

4. User Research
- Describe the user research methods you will use.
- Explain how you will gather user feedback and insights.
- Provide a plan for user testing and validation.

5. References
- Include any references used for research and inspiration, such as articles, books, or design examples.

Week 1/ Task 1: Draft Proposal

Instructions:

1. For this week's assignment, our task involves researching various applications. Choose three company apps that you believe could benefit from enhancements in their design. Your objective is to identify all existing drawbacks and propose potential solutions.
2. Attached company information, capture screenshots of all pages on each company application design and compile them onto individual slides. For subsequent slides, focus on specific areas within the screenshots that you believe could be improved on their user interface design and user experience. Accompany each analysis with the rationale behind the identified issues and propose suitable solutions.
3. We are tasked with generating a concise report outlining your discoveries, which will be showcased via slides and presented for feedback during Week 2.

Fig 2.1 Downloaded various app for study (25.04.2024-Week 1)

After a few day of research, here are the 3 options for apps redesign:  
1. Forever 21

2. 123 Movie

3. Easybook

During the first week of my research, I discovered an interesting feature in my app store that allows me to browse applications by category. For instance, when I search for "Fashion", I find various fashion retail shop apps like SHEIN, ADIDAS, MANGO, ZARA, H&M, etc. Delving deeper, I explore their ratings and reviews. I decided to focus on the "Forever 21" app because it had a rating of only 3.6 out of 5, with only 38 user ratings. Upon using the app, I encountered several issues.

The second app I examined followed a similar approach. "123 Play" had a rating of 3.8 out of 5, and I noticed that its app design and font arrangement were not user-friendly.In contrast, I have previously used the Easybook app to purchase bus tickets. They actively seek feedback and work on improving their UI/UX based on user suggestions.

Fig 2.2 FOREVER 21 (29.04.2024-Week 2)

Fig 2.3 123 PLAY (29.04.2024-Week 2)

Fig 2.4 EASYBOOK (29.04.2024-Week 2)

After consulting with Mr. Zeon, I've come to realize that I shouldn't solely focus on researching the weaknesses of the chosen apps. It's also important to identify and highlight the strengths of these apps and work on maintaining them while addressing their weaknesses for improvement.

Click HERE to access the draft of proposal in Canva

Week 2/ Finalised Proposal

Instructions:

• Finalise the progress slide (Include conclusion)
• Refer to the Week 2 lecture slides for guidance; the last two slides detail what should be included. 
• We are only required to concentrate on one company app for your final proposed idea. 
• The document will evaluate whether the mobile application concept deserves advancement to the next development stage. 
• The submission deadline is on week 4. 
• Don't overlook e-portfolio; document thoughts and processes while completing the assignment.
• If plagiarism is detected, there will be penalties.

Added Conclusion in progress slide:

Fig 3.1 Forever 21 conclusion  (29.04.2024-Week 2)

Fig 3.2 123Movie conclusion (29.04.2024-Week 2)

Fig  3.3 Easybook conclusion (29.04.2024-Week 2)

I've proceeded with the final proposal, Upon considering Forever 21, I discovered that they've permanently closed their shop, with no information or pictures available on the app. Hence, confirming Easybook (Third option) as the final proposal research app of choice.

Fig 3.4 Final Proposal progress(29.04.2024-Week 2)

Week 3/ Finalised Proposal (Presentation)

Application name: Easybook 

Category:Transportation

Target audience: Travelers

Age: 24-35 years old

The purpose of researching the Easybook app is to gain insights that inform efforts to improve user experience, inform product development, and enhance overall business performance in the online ticket booking industry.

I have Included these category in my proposal：

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Purpose of proposal

1.2 Purpose of research app

1.3 Why Mobile App Design is Important?

1.4 The Impact of Mobile Application Design on UX

2.0 Background and Context

2.1 App Current Design

2.2 Summary of Ratings and Reviews

2.3 Strength vs Weaknesses

2.4 Weaknesses details

2.5 Competitive Analysis

2.6 User Demographics

2.7 User Needs

3.0 Goals and Objectives

3.1 Redesign Objective

3.2 Primary Goal

3.3 Secondary Goal

3.4 Redesign Strategy

4.0 User Research

4.1User Research Methods

4.2 Plan for user testing

5.0 References

Week 4/ Presentation

PRESENTATION

After reviewing our presentation slides, Mr. Zeon provided feedback suggesting we include solutions on the "weakness" page and add descriptions below each section on the "current app design" page.

Fig 4.1 Final Proposal progress (13.05.2024-Week 3)

Fig 4.2 Final Proposal progress (13.05.2024-Week 3)

I saw my classmate's presentation, and one of them included a table for competitive analysis, which I thought was great. The teacher also highly recommended adding it, so I included it.

Fig 4.3 Final Proposal progress (13.05.2024-Week 3)

Click HERE to access the final proposal in Canva

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FEEDBACK

Feedback from Mr Zeon

WEEK 2: 

General Feedback: Ensure we have included conclusions for each company's chosen app.

Specific feedback: Mr Zeon suggested continuing with the first and third options because I have mentioned I personally use them frequently and see potential for improvement on interface and user experiences aspect. The second app appears to be more of a platform and guidance where users can access movies while clicking the button that lead to iTunes App. 

WEEK 3: 

General Feedback: User demographic data should be sourced from the official company.

Specific feedback: Mr. Zeon recommended compiling all user ratings and reviews and summarizing them on a new page. Additionally, for the competitive analysis section, screen recordings will be replaced with screenshots, and each point will be elaborated with corresponding pages presented. ser 

WEEK 4: 

General Feedback: Highlight the key point of feedback from users, weaknesses slides add more details pictures instead of a long paragraph wording.

Specific feedback: Presantation-ALL GOOD!

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REFLECTIONS

Experience

During the proposal preparation, I initially tried finding apps with many problems on Google, but didn't find what I expected. So, I changed my approach to searching the App Store by category, looking for apps with low ratings. I ended up choosing three apps: Forever 21, 123movie, and Easy Book. However, I now realize the importance of selecting three apps before finalizing the proposal, as I encountered an unexpected issue with Forever 21—it had declared bankruptcy just a week after I began my research, leaving the app dysfunctional with blank pages and image loading errors. Thankfully, I had two backup apps to study further. Currently, I'm focusing on researching the Easy Book app, which has several user experience and technical issues. Despite this, the company is open to feedback and committed to improvements.

Findings

I've come to realize the importance of excellent UI/UX in applications. Before delving into this research, I didn't fully grasp its significance in daily life. However, now I can easily discern between good and poor UI/UX applications. Many companies excel in various aspects like websites but overlook application design, leading to low conversion rates and a loss of audience due to confusion and inconvenience. Additionally, I've learned the entire process of redesigning or enhancing a current design, which includes identifying weaknesses, understanding user needs, defining primary goals, and analyzing user demographics. This understanding is invaluable as it helps us cultivate the right mindset and approach to design for our final project.