“Saturation Search is a mobile scavenger hunt style application that invites users to play games independently and with others to find colors and patterns in their everyday life that might go overlooked.”
Role: UX/UI Designer, UX Researcher, Information Architect
Software Used: InDesign (initial wireframes), Adobe XD (high fidelity prototype), and Adobe Illustrator.
Client: CareerFoundry UX Design Certificate Program
Duration: January 2020 - June 2020 I 6 months
My Prototype: link
1. Research and Testing Phase
Initial Goals: Test Application’s navigation, key features, and discover ways to improve Saturation Search with real users through rounds of Usability Testing.
The discovery phase for Saturation Search began in February 2020 with competitive research and user interviews. We discovered that people had a desire to see the world through a different lens and create scavenger hunt games for themselves and their friends that prioritized color and patterns in everyday life. The resulting prototype is an initial hypothesis on how we hope to solve the problem.
Now, we would like to test the most important features and functionality for our primary personas.
Dave “Details” Larson and Melissa “Big Picture” Jones: two different users who tend to focus on the details and or gestalt of their worlds. Finding a blend between offering ways to admire the details of life while giving a chance to view the big picture is key to the Saturation Search scavenger hunt game.
2. User Personas and Sitemap
User Personas allowed myself as a designer to have a specific target audience in mind when making design decisions.
Building from user feedback, describing the expected features for a scavenger hunt app, I developed a sitemap (see below) that provided the information architecture for the application as a whole and allowed me to see areas that needed to be clarified or connected.
3. Wireframing and Prototyping
The iterative design process allowed Saturation Search to adapt to the needs and desires of its users.
4. High-Fidelity Prototype
While Saturation Search has gone through many changes, the design will continue to improve and change over time.
5. Design Style Guide
In order to maintain brand identity, I created a design document to feature the styles and guidelines of the application’s design.
6. Retrospective
What went well?
I learned to use industry standard software to create a mobile app from start to finish!
Skills: UX Design, Ui Design, Usability Testing, Wireframing, Rapid Prototyping, Iterative Design
Process: Learning through experience, accepting and implementing feedback
Solution: Practice and personal projects!
This project was my first entry into the UX/UI Design field and my first time using software like InVision and Adobe XD. I applied my experience from my psychology degree and creative expression to create a prototype for a scavenger hunt application, basing design decisions on user research. Although there are countless ways I could be more efficient in using the software, applying shortcuts to streamline the creative process, I embraced the iterative design process and combated my perfectionism and allowed my designs to feel flexible.
What didn’t go well?
I often got ahead of myself, working on projects without the adequate feedback to move forward efficiently.
Skills: Timing, Shortcuts, Accepting Feedback
Process: Time management, Collaboration, Flexible Planning
Solution: Budget adequate time to tasks, allowing for buffer time if revisions are requested.
Since many of the project deliverables build on each other, I needed to allow time for feedback before moving forward to prevent unnecessary backtracking. When revisions were requested or alterations needed to be made before moving forward, I initially had trouble getting back on track and continuing making progress. However, I was able to practice creating more flexible work schedules that allowed for more buffer time for feedback, preventing myself from getting derailed as frequently moving forward.
What can be improved?
I still have a lot to learn in using UX and UI design software, increasing my experience and efficiency in industry standard products.
Skills: Visual Design, Shortcuts
Process: Learning through experience, Research design trends and procedures
Solution: Take on personal projects to expand my skills and portfolio
Thankfully there are many ways I can independently improve my design skills, from watching tutorials online to experimenting with personal projects. I can also take on rebranding challenges to create mockup projects and apply new skills and tricks. With a wealth of knowledge and resources available to anyone who seeks to improve themselves, I am confident that my strengths will build as I grow in my new career!