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

26/9/2024 - 5/12/2024 (Week 11 - Week 14)
Wee Jun Jie / 0375271
Application Design I
 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Project 3: Low-Fi Prototype



 LECTURE RECAP 
To enhance comprehension of the course material, I have crafted a set of flashcards featuring couple of questions designed to facilitate learning. You are warmly invited to explore these resources.

To ensure a seamless experience and avoid potential performance issues with the blog website, I have uploaded the original file to my Notion Notes Web. You may access it via the link provided above. Thank you for your understanding.


 INSTRUCTIONS 
  • Once the UX design process is completed, create a low-fidelity prototype in Figma, incorporating all screen wireframes, actions, visual feedback, and linking them together.

  • Conduct usability testing with interview participants to evaluate the low-fidelity prototype, gathering feedback, responses, and identifying any pain points during the test.

  • Document the recorded video of the testing session and provide a detailed analysis of the issues encountered by the testers, along with proposed solutions to address these problems.

 REQUIREMENTS 

1. Visual Design Concept
Develop a visual design concept that aligns with your application's branding, including color schemes, typography, and imagery to reflect the desired tone and user experience.

2. Wireframes
Create wireframes for the mobile app screens using Figma, illustrating layout, content, navigation, and interactive elements.

3. Usability Testing
Conduct usability testing on the low-fidelity prototype, gathering feedback from interviewees. Document their responses and refine the design based on their insights.

4. Deliverables
Submit a digital document with the low-fidelity prototype, wireframes, visual design concept, and a summary of usability testing results, detailing design iterations based on feedback. Include this in your e-portfolio.



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

1. UI KIts


Fig. 1.1 Wireframe Sketch - JPEG, Week 11 (5/12/24)




Fig. 1.2 Rough UI Kits - JPEG, Week 11 (5/12/24)

Before creating the My Rapid PULSE low-fidelity prototype, I first sketch some initial ideas then developed a UI Kit, including typography, iconography, and a grid system to streamline my workflow. Since I was just getting started, I didn’t focus on organizing them into pages but instead wrapped them as sections and converted them into components. Components are a huge time-saver in Figma and greatly improve efficiency. I did share this tip with my friends when designing. It’s been a busy week, but I’m satisfied with the progress!


2. References


Fig. 1.3 References - JPEG, Week 11 (5/12/24)

These references are primarily layouts and arrangements. I mainly used these samples as inspiration just to plan a new layout for My Rapid PULSE. Considering the users' familiarity and smooth usage of the previous version, we didn’t make drastic changes to some sections that were already well-received. The focus of this redesign was to add the features most users need without making the app more cluttered, and to efficiently categorize the main functions. The goal is to understand user needs and effectively meet those needs.



Fig. 1.4 Study material - JPEG, Week 11 (6/12/24)

I sought out some theoretical knowledge to supplement my understanding beyond just the technical aspects. Continuous learning is key to improvement.


3. Design Process


Fig. 1.5 Pre-Work App Redesign - JPEG, Week 12 (8/12/24)

I’m someone who dislikes unnecessary complexity, so before starting the low-fi design, I listed out the potential features I might use and created them as properties & variants. The idea behind this is that these components can save a significant amount of time. Variants allow a component to have different values at once, making large-scale interactions much more convenient. Instead of copying components repeatedly for interactions, I can manage them more efficiently. This also helps keep the entire workspace more organized.



Fig. 1.6 Hierarchy & Spacing - JPEG, Week 12 (11/12/24)

As you can see from the image above, I made more than three changes. However, in reality, the number of adjustments I made was far more than that. I added spacing between elements and highlighted the most important functions in the correct order of priority. By optimizing the use of space, I ensured that all essential features were grouped together properly. This process took a significant amount of time during the low-fi design phase.



Fig. 1.7 Consistency - JPEG, Week 12 (11/12/24)

While checking the details, I noticed that the icons I used weren’t consistent, so I spent additional time redrawing them. This was quite frustrating, as there wasn’t much time left. The heavy workload made me consider just using icons from the web. However, in the end, I decided to redraw each one to maintain consistency.



Fig. 1.8 Different Section of Design Process - JPEG, Week 13 (15/12/24)


Fig. 1.9 Interactions & Flow - JPEG, Week 13 (18/12/24)

By the thirteenth week, I had nearly completed the main functionality and interaction. I planned to finish the remaining extra pages during the High-Fidelity phase. This week, I showed my progress to Mr. Zeon, and he said there were no issues but hoped I could bring more creativity to the design. Honestly, I’m not sure how to do that yet, but I’ll keep pushing forward. I’ll think of something during the High-Fi phase, maybe by finding some useful references. Oh, by the way, the photos might not be very clear. Here’s the link to my work file; you can click on it to view.


4. Usability Testing
To conduct usability testing, first ensure that the low-fidelity prototype is ready with three user scenarios, each focusing on specific actions (e.g., checking account balance or viewing transaction history). Provide clear written instructions for each scenario. Recruit three participants, assigning one scenario to each user. Conduct the testing via Zoom and share the Figma link with the participants. After the testing session, gather feedback by asking targeted questions to guide their responses. Collect and analyze the feedback, then use it to refine and improve the low-fidelity wireframes based on the insights gathered.



Fig. 1.10 Usability Testing, 3 Scenarios - JPEG, Week 13 (20/12/24)


 Scenario 1: Route Searching  (click to view)
Imagine you’re planning a one-day trip and need to search route through the MyRapid PULSE app.

  • The process starts with the app opening to a loading page, then straight appears our Home page (Route).

  • On the Home page (Route), you may change your region to your current city (KL/Selangor).

  • Once you’ve done your region settings, you select "Get Me Somewhere" to start searching your destination.

  • Select KLCC as your Start point from the recent list or using the type to search function.

  • Now select Kin's Home as your End point from the favorite list.

  • Now you realized that your start point should be your home, because you are planning trip to KLCC. Swap the directions.

  • Check out the Suggested Route, choose the best route for Kin, Kin want the cheapest and fastest route to KLCC. He is almost late!

  • Congrats, you did it. Now you can stay on the page and get off from the 1st stop. This is a live section on app, you can check how many stops should ride to get to your destination.

 Scenario 2: A premium update for student  (click to view)
My Rapid PULSE app does not require users to log in or create an account unless you wish to access premium features, such as saving favorites and receiving recommendations or discounts for tourist attractions. Imagine you are new user and need to navigate MyRapid PULSE app and explore what function exists.
  • Imagine you are a student, and you would like to save your school address, click the school icon on screen.

  • A pop-up window shows that you need to sign up/log in to use that feature. Do follow it.

  • Click Sign Up and would guide you to the Create Account page. Now, enter the information and tick the T&C form.

  • Click Sign Up and your account has been created.

  • Your tutorial journey begins. You may skip or click till the end and lastly will guide you to Home page (Route).

  • Now, navigate to the Profile page (Settings) and have a look, it is different like the guest settings page. You could turn on the notifications settings if you like to receive live message and updates.

  • Try out our new sub feature: Lifestyle.

  • Imagine you’re lost and feel like someone suspicious is following you. Open the Help page and contact our patrol for immediate assistance.

 Scenario 3: View & Check Schedule (click to view)
Imagine you’re finishing your visit to KLCC and want to head to SS15 for dinner. To get there, you need to take the Kelana Jaya Line train. However, after waiting for a while, you decide to check the train schedule.
  • Start by navigating to Schedule page and selecting the "LRT" section. Here, you can view different line.

  • Choose the Kelana Jaya Line since you are at station KLCC right now.

  • On this page, you can view the list of stations along the Kelana Jaya Line. The starting point of the train can either be Putra Heights or Gombak, depending on your desired destination.

  • Click on the schedule to begin the search. We need to change the starting point from Putra Heights to Gombak, as we are heading to SS15.

  • Now choose your current location and confirm to get the train schedule.

I conducted an online Zoom session with the interviewees from the previous phase. They were allowed to navigate the prototype on their own while I explained certain aspects to them as they encountered issues. We then discussed the problems they faced and brainstormed possible solutions together.

View my Interview Videos here.


 Usability Testing Feedback 

1. Need GPS tracking. For knowing the current location.
2. Scrollable bar should be swap not drag gesture.

3. Need an image for stations to make it easier to walk through it.
4. The schedule part section is a bit messy, hope to reduce the step.
5. Button not functioning.

6. Tutorial part needs to show something.



 Final Outcome 
Demonstrating Video



Figma View - Work File



Figma View - Prototype




 REFLECTION 
Experience
In my approach to Project 3, I focused on creating a low-fidelity prototype and conducting a comprehensive research study to test and validate my design concepts. By building a simple, interactive prototype, I was able to quickly iterate on ideas and test them with real users, gaining valuable insights into how users interact with the interface. I used methods like user testing, observation, and follow-up interviews to assess how intuitive the design was and to identify any usability issues. This hands-on process allowed me to refine the app’s features based on real-world feedback, rather than assumptions or hypothetical use cases.

The creation of the low-fidelity prototype allowed me to focus on core functionalities and user flows without getting distracted by visual design details. This simplified version of the app served as a testing ground for key interactions and user tasks, helping me evaluate the effectiveness of my design decisions. By interacting directly with users, I was able to pinpoint specific areas where the design needed to be refined or rethought entirely, ensuring a smoother user experience.

Observations
Through the research study and prototype testing, I observed several important themes. First, users valued simplicity and clarity, often expressing frustration when navigation was unclear or overly complex. The most common pain points included unnecessary steps to complete basic tasks and lack of feedback after certain actions were taken. On the other hand, users appreciated when features were easy to discover and provided immediate value, like fast access to key tools and clear call-to-action buttons.

User testing helped me realize that while certain elements of the app were functional, they could be improved to reduce cognitive load. For example, the feedback I received during usability testing revealed that users often struggled with navigating between screens, indicating a need for better flow and more intuitive signposting. Additionally, some users found the interactions to be too rigid, suggesting the need for a more flexible design that adapts to their needs.

Findings
This project reinforced the importance of iteration and real-world testing in the design process. By using a low-fidelity prototype, I was able to quickly test multiple iterations and validate my assumptions about the app’s usability. The research study further highlighted the critical role of user feedback in identifying pain points and improving the design. Even in the early stages of prototyping, small adjustments like reordering buttons or adding clearer navigation drastically improve the user experience.