In 2020 I created a case study for a hypothetical weather application that specifically targets water sports enthusiasts. I didn’t know anything about water sports, in fact the open sea terrifies me, but I found there was a market for this type of app that wasn’t being addressed. So with only a notebook, pen, and my aging laptop I set out into the unknown and did my best to chart the course that would eventually lead me here.
Due to my individual lack of knowledge regarding water and wind sports, I quickly realized that recording user insights would be key to developing this project. I also knew that researching the appropriate demographic would be essential to uncovering inefficiencies in existing applications, as well as point to design solutions to address these complications.
For Coastal, I created a UX research program focused on 20 people, ages 21 - 55, who actively participate in any recreational water/wind activities and currently use a dedicated application (either mobile or desktop).
The following are some of the key user insights I used to help model future personas.
For Coastal, I created a UX research program focused on 20 people, ages 21 - 55, who actively participate in any recreational water/wind activities and currently use a dedicated application (either mobile or desktop).
The following are some of the key user insights I used to help model future personas.
After analyzing my interview and survey data, as well as uncovering my own personal meaningful user insights during my two-week immersion process, I sought out to create two unique, hypothetical, user personas to represent the typical user demographic.
During my research I discovered a very interesting piece of information: When asked how they typically start their day, 100% of users I interviewed mentioned checking the weather. When asked which was their preferred way to check the weather all of them reported using different methods. None of these included their preferred applications for their dedicated water/wind sport (all of which have weather functions built into them).
Taking this key insight into account I built an easy model to show the steps that most users took, as well as the flow I aim to achieve with my project application.
Taking this key insight into account I built an easy model to show the steps that most users took, as well as the flow I aim to achieve with my project application.
In summary, I found users were frustrated with the large disparity between the usability of a basic weather app and the apps they use to check the conditions for their preferred sport. The two main struggles are that users need to toggle between multiple applications in order to access all data points required to make a decision, or pay a relative large sum of money in order to be able to access that information. In most cases the “pro” versions of most applications are just too difficult to understand or complicated to navigate.
I decided to focus on creating a weather application that aims to be the first point of interaction with users when they first wake up. Because most of my interviewed users still use supplemental elements (surf reports ,GPS sailing aids) to make an informed decision, I believe that creating a weather application that is both simple to use but also delivers complex data in an easily digestible form will not only reduce the frustration commonly experienced by my users, but also make COASTAL highly competitive in this saturated market.
I decided to focus on creating a weather application that aims to be the first point of interaction with users when they first wake up. Because most of my interviewed users still use supplemental elements (surf reports ,GPS sailing aids) to make an informed decision, I believe that creating a weather application that is both simple to use but also delivers complex data in an easily digestible form will not only reduce the frustration commonly experienced by my users, but also make COASTAL highly competitive in this saturated market.
I kept my initial sketches as simple as possible. I decided to create a long scroll format application where all the functions of the app would exist in containers but could also be accessed in a bottom navigation. I also wanted to give users the ability to customize certain weather elements within the containers, such as adding or removing specific weather condition options depending on the needs of the user, which allowed for a completely tailored user experience.
For the initial wireframes I predominantly focused on using Android material design components.
For the initial wireframes I predominantly focused on using Android material design components.
With the bulk of my wire framing complete, I set out to test the key functions of my application. I created a limited prototype focusing on three major functions. I tested the same 20 users I used for my initial interviews and surveys by giving them three tasks and then asking them to rate how easy it was to complete the task from 1- 10. I also asked that they explain anything they liked or any pain points they had. I compiled their results and then re-iterated the designs I felt needed more work.
Design System
Just like the weather, life can be a bit chaotic and bring on all kinds of new challenges. For me that new challenge comes in the form of new life. Between my duties as a new father and those of a young designer trying to change careers, sometimes you have to compromise and for me that means changing gears on focusing less on design.
Things to look forward to in my continuation of this project:
Things to look forward to in my continuation of this project:
Further iterations.
Complete prototype with animations.
Sigh of relief.
