The Buddy Diving App
Overview:
The Buddy App is an application for scuba divers to get plan their next dive trip and monitor dive conditions for a safe and fun dive.
I developed this project as part of my UX Design studies at Career Foundry.
The problem statement that I was initially presented with to define evolved quite a bit throughout my design process. I was initially presented with a general watersport safety app concept which evolved into scuba-specific needs which would allow me to better address the core problem of the safety issues within that subset of watersports.
After I reframed the problem statement to be scuba specific, I referred back to it to keep me on track and ensure that what I'm designing is in line with my core problem.
Role: UX/UI Designer
Methods: Design Thinking
Tools: Adobe XD, Optimal Workshop, UsabilityHub
Problem Statement
How might we help a novice diver safely assess essential weather and marine condition factors before embarking on a coastal dive so that invisible forces, such as current and wind, do not prove lethal as a result of poorly understood or underestimated impact?
Solution
The Buddy App allows for divers to research and plan their next dive location based on filters and allows them to keep tabs on local real-time dive site conditions with site reviews and weather charts for their trip. They can even connect with other divers and dive shops.
Design Process
I followed the design thinking methodology for the duration of my project. It provided the structure for iterative designs as I gained insights and feedback during the process.
Inspiration
Understand
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
Because there are a number of established trip planning, water sport, and weather apps, it was important to understand what needs are met well and what problems divers still have with their current options.
I performed research on the Apple app store, on forum websites as well as Facebook groups to help me identify what my the needs of the scuba community are, what competitors are doing and the opportunities for improvements. There wasn’t much to reference and I pulled inspiration from parallel ocean sports, such as surfing.
OBSERVE
USER INTERVIEWS, DATA CLUSTERS & AFFINITY MAPS
I wanted to better understand how we might help a novice diver safely assess essential weather and marine condition factors before embarking on a coastal dive so that invisible forces, such as current and wind, along with other dive trip planning considerations.
I connected with scuba amateurs and pros to find out what information is most important to each group as well as look for common denominators.
By conducting the interviews, it helped me understand the user behaviors, needs, and goals, frustrations as well as financial opportunities from making the app to solve this safety and dive trip planning problem.
I then created data clusters and affinity maps to organize the information in a usable way.
Conceptualization
POV
USER PERSONAS
The result of my user research helped me create 2 personas that captured the different needs and behaviors of my target audience. After defining my personas, I created a user journey map to have a high-level view of how a user would interact with the application.
MENTAL MODEL
USER JOURNEY MAP & FLOWS
Then I created user flows to help me evaluate the efficiency of the process needed to achieve a user goal.
IDEATE
SITEMAP
Based on the journey map and user flows, I created my initial sitemap in Sketch. This way, I could have a first overview of Buddy’s navigation. Next, I conducted a closed card sorting exercise using Optimal Workshop to be able to refine it.
WIREFRAMES
After that, I started my wireframing process with pen to paper sketches of the main features of the application. I transferred these sketches to Adobe XD to have cleaner and more presentable wireframes. From there, I began re-iterating through low, mid, and high fidelity wireframes using Adobe XD.
The following row shows the evolution of the main dashboard toggle screen.
Iteration
Protoype
USABILITY TESTING
I recruited 6 participants that fell within my target audience. Once the first prototype was finished, it was time to check its learnability by testing it through remote moderated tests. It was a mix of novice and professional divers.
The objectives were to find potential usability issues, to check if the participants could understand the application's UI elements, and whether the participants could accomplish or not the main tasks of the test.
I sorted the results using a Rainbow Spreadsheet which provided a different visual breakdown of the information. This helped me prioritize what issue should I fix first.
DESIGN SYSTEM
Test
PROTOTYPE TESTING
I asked student peers to review my prototype and I was able to receive valuable feedback that helped me further refine my design.
NEXT STEPS
From user interviews, I learned that dive shops play a vital role in managing the safety of the majority of dive trip outings, especially for new and recreational divers. Coordinating with them will be essential for the efficacy of the app. I hypothesize by onboarding dive shops to provided current information on dive trips, conditions, gear, etc that users’ engagement with the app will increase.
I will collaborate with dive shop managers and owners on what their needs are and how the app can meet them (ie clients) in exchange for the updated information that will increase engagement and dive activity through the use of the app by both parties (divers and dive shop owners)
Previously, I was testing the overall presence and onboarding experience of the app. In the future, I will test specific functions or features of the app that will allow to focus and finalize one feature at a time quickly.
The weather data features of the app needs significant improvement regarding how the weather data is pulled and presented. It is underdeveloped as it was a secondary branch of the apps functionality.
