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User Experience for Social Good 

EXERT PLATFORMS

Exert Platforms is a free, community-driven app to connect and empower sports enthusiasts. 

Mobile Platform

UX Designer, Generalist

2023

Start up Business

Role

Year

PROJECT
OVERVIEW
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The Product

This project focuses on designing a free, community-driven app that connects sports enthusiasts of all levels. The app aims to foster a supportive environment where users can learn new skills, find training partners, and participate in friendly competitions. By facilitating peer-to-peer skill-sharing, the app empowers individuals to achieve their fitness goals without the financial burden of traditional coaching or training.

The Problem
Many sports enthusiasts struggle to find affordable and accessible opportunities to improve their skills and connect with like-minded individuals. Traditional methods of training, such as hiring a personal trainer or joining a gym, can be costly and time-consuming.
Project Duration

Mar 2023 - Nov 2023 

The Goal
Our sports app will let users connect with other users based on sports interests and skill levels, enabling them to share knowledge and skills without financial barriers. This will empower sports enthusiasts to learn new skills, improve their performance, and build a supportive community. We will measure effectiveness by tracking the number of skill-sharing sessions initiated, user satisfaction with the learning experience.
UNDERSTANDING
THE USER
User Research Summary
To gain a deeper understanding of the target users' needs and pain points, we conducted user interviews and created user personas. Initially, we assumed that the primary challenge for sports enthusiasts was finding training partners. However, through our research, we discovered that accessibility, affordability, and community building were equally important factors. These insights will guide the design of the app, ensuring that it meets the diverse needs of our users.
User Research: Pain Points

Difficulty finding reliable and compatible training partners

Users struggle to find individuals with similar skill levels, schedules, and locations.

Lack of accessible and affordable coaching or training

Many users cannot afford personal training or coaching, limiting their ability to improve their skills.

Limited opportunities for community building and social interaction

Users seek a sense of belonging and connection with other sports enthusiasts.

Challenges in tracking progress and setting goals

Users need tools to monitor their performance and stay motivated.

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Sara
Age: 25
Education: Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Family: Lives with parents
Occupation: Online tutor
"I love playing chess, but I can't find people to play with who are patient and understanding."
Goals
  • Find chess opponents who are patient and understanding

  • Learn new chess strategies and tactics

  • Join a supportive community of chess enthusiasts

Frustrations
  • Difficulty finding accessible chess clubs or tournaments

  • Limited opportunities to play chess with others

  • Challenges in finding opponents who are willing to accommodate her disability

Sara is a passionate chess player who uses a wheelchair. She finds it difficult to participate in traditional chess clubs and tournaments due to accessibility issues. She’s looking for a platform to connect with other chess enthusiasts who are willing to play with her online or in person, and who are patient enough to accommodate her needs.
User Persona
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Jake
Age: 23
Education: Bachelor's in Business Administration
Hometown: Kingston, ON
Family: Lives with roommates
Occupation: Marketing Analyst
“I want to improve my tennis game and get in shape, but I need a training partner and a gym buddy.”
Goals
  • Learn weightlifting techniques from a knowledgeable partner
  • Share his tennis skills with others
Frustrations
  • Difficulty finding a consistent training partner

  • Lack of access to affordable personal training

  • Limited opportunities to learn new sports skills

Jake is a busy professional who wants to stay fit and improve his tennis game. He's looking for a training partner who can help him with his tennis skills and, in return, he can offer to be a gym buddy and provide weightlifting advice.
Problem Statement
Jake is a busy professional who is passionate about fitness and sports. He needs a convenient way to connect with like-minded individuals who can provide training and support without the high cost of personal training, so he can improve his fitness and achieve his athletic goals.
Problem Statement
Sara is a dedicated chess player with a disability. She needs a platform to connect with a diverse community of patient and understanding chess players, so she can enjoy playing chess and improve her skills without facing accessibility barriers.
User Journey Map
Action
Task
Feelings
Improvement Opportunities
Search for a Training Partner
Open the app - Search for users with similar interests - Filter search results by location and skill level
Frustrated if no matches found, hopeful if potential partners are found
Improve search algorithm, add more filter options
Connect with a Potential Partner
Send a message to a potential partner - Exchange contact information - Schedule a training session
Excited, hopeful
Provide easy-to-use messaging features, integrate with calendar apps
First Training Session
Meet the training partner at the agreed-upon location - Warm-up and start the workout
Nervous (initially), excited, motivated
Provide in-app tools for scheduling and tracking workouts
Ongoing Training Sessions
Coordinate training sessions - Communicate with the partner - Track progress and set new goals
Satisfied, motivated, energized
Offer features to track workouts, share progress, and celebrate achievements
IDEATION
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  • Sports Selecting: A screen where users can choose from a list of sports they are interested in or want to learn.

  • Skill-Sharing: A feature that allows users to offer or request specific skills.

  • Potential Match: A screen that suggests potential training partners based on shared interests, location, and skill level.

  • Exploring Events: A section that lists local sports events.

  • Tracking Progress: A personalized dashboard where users can track their workouts, set goals, and monitor their improvement.

  • Social Media Posting: Users share their fitness journey on social media platforms directly from the app.

  • Meeting New People in Public

  • Paying Money to a Trainer: A feature that allows users to connect with certified trainers and pay for personalized training sessions.

User Flow
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Paper and Digital Wireframes

By focusing on these key areas, the wireframes aim to create a user-centric and engaging app that empowers individuals to connect, learn, and grow together. The wireframes prioritize a streamlined user onboarding process, focusing on essential information like preferred sports and skill levels. 

Based on the feedback received and the established design goals, the digital wireframes will prioritize clear and concise user onboarding. A streamlined process that collects essential information, such as preferred sports, skill levels, and location, without overwhelming the user. A clear and intuitive interface in addition to that guides users through the app with minimal effort.

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B
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A
D
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C
E
F
Image by Sincerely Media
Low-Fidelity Prototype

The low-fidelity prototypes illustrate a user flow that guides users through the app's key features. Users begin by creating a profile, specifying their sports interests and skill levels. The app's robust matching algorithm then connects users with compatible training partners based on shared interests, location, and availability. Once connected, users can communicate through the built-in messaging system, schedule training sessions.

Incorporating feedback from the peer review process, the wireframes have been refined to enhance user experience and clarity. The onboarding process has been streamlined, and the user interface has been optimized for better readability and navigation. Additionally, the app's features have been expanded to include a more robust skill-sharing platform and a personalized feed that highlights relevant content based on user preferences.

RESEARCH
PLAN AND TEST
Introduction
  • Title: Creating Exert sports skill-sharing app

  • Author: Ishraq Ashtarian, UX researcher, ishraqashtarian@gmail.com

  • Stakeholders: Exert app users

  • Date: 08-10-2023

  • Project Background: The goal of this project is to develop a user-friendly mobile app that facilitates peer-to-peer skill-sharing among sports enthusiasts. By connecting individuals with similar interests, the app aims to create a supportive community, promote skill development, and provide affordable access to training and coaching.

  • Research Goal: To assess the usability and user experience of the current prototype, focusing on how easily users can complete key tasks such as creating a profile and connecting with other users.

Research Questions
  • How easy is it for users to create a profile and complete the required information?

  • Can users successfully search for and find potential training partners based on their interests and location?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  • Time on task

  • User error rates

  • Conversion rates

Methodology
  • Unmoderated usability study.​

  • Location: United States, remote (participants will go through the usability study in their own homes). 

  • Date: Sessions will take place on October 23 and 24.

  • Five participants complete the profile and find potential partner tasks on their own. Each participant completes a questionnaire on their experience privately. 

  • Each session will last 45 minutes and will include an introduction, a list of tasks, and a short questionnaire. 

Participants
  • Participants are people who are looking to improve their skills or find training partners and who can offer guidance and training to others. 

  • 2 male, 2 female, 1 non-binary, all aged 18–50 years old

  • Incentive: $10 Starbucks gift card redeemable at any location or online

Script
  • Prompt 1: Profile Creation 
    Please create a profile on the app, providing your name, preferred sports, skill level, and location.
     

  • Prompt 2. Search Functionality
    Search for potential training partners who share your interests and are located in your area.
     

  • Prompt 3. Connect with a Partner 
    Initiate a conversation with a potential training partner by sending them a message.
     

  • Prompt 4. Messages
    Send a message to a potential training partner to introduce yourself and discuss potential training opportunities.
     

  • Prompt 5. Schedule a Training Session 
    Use the messaging app's features to schedule a training session with a partner, considering factors like location, time, and duration.

Affinity Diagram
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Pattern Identification

1. It was observed that 2 out of 5 subjects commented on the overall user experience. This means that users generally found the app to be user-friendly and visually appealing, but there's room for improvement in terms of app performance and feature richness.

2. It was observed that 2 out of 5 subjects expressed concerns about the profile creation process. This means that simplifying the process by reducing the number of required fields and providing clear guidance could improve user experience.
 

3. It was observed that 5 out of 5 subjects had issues with the messaging system. This means that the messaging system needs significant improvement, including features like image/video sharing, reporting mechanisms, and clearer scheduling options.
 

4. It was observed that 3 out of 5 subjects had difficulties finding specific skills and tracking progress. This means that implementing a more robust search function and introducing a progress tracking feature could enhance the skill-sharing experience.
 

5. It was observed that 2 out of 5 subjects expressed dissatisfaction with the community features. This means that there's a need for more active community engagement, such as moderated discussions, challenges, and social events.

Insights

Based on the themes that 'User Experience' is generally positive, an insight is that users appriciate a clean and intuitive interface.

Based on the theme that 'Profile Creation' can be improved, an insight is that simplifying the profile creation process by reducing the number of required fields can enhance user experience.

Based on the theme 'Messaging' needs improvement, and insight in that a more robust messaging system features like image/video sharing, reporting mechanism, and clear scheduling option is necessary.

Based on the theme that 'Skill Sharing' requires enhancement, an insight is that a more effective search function and progress tracking tools can improve the skill-sharing experience.

Based on the theme that 'Community Features' need improvement, an insight is that fostering a more active and engaged community through moderated discussions, challenges, and social events is crucial.

RESEARCH
PLAN AND TEST
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Mockups

All the participants want a clear scheduling option within 'Messages' feature

  • 5 out of 5 subjects had issues with the messaging system.

  • They mentioned that the messaging system needs significant improvement, including features like reporting mechanisms, and clearer scheduling options.

"No clear structure for scheduling training sessions within the messaging interface."

(Participant B)

Most participants want track their learning progress

  • 3 out of 5 subjects had difficulties finding specific skills and tracking progress.

  • They asked for introducing a progress tracking feature which could enhance the skill-sharing experience.

"I’d like to be able to track my progress and achievements."

(Participant E)

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The participants want a more simple 'Profile Creation" process by reducing the steps taken

  • 2 out of 5 expressed concerns about the profile creation process.

  • They asked for simplifying the process by reducing the number of required fields could improve user experience.

 

"Profile creation process is too long."

(Participant A)

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Image by Sincerely Media
High-Fidelity Prototype

The high-fidelity prototype refines the user flow, ensuring a seamless and intuitive experience. Users begin by creating a comprehensive profile, specifying their sports interests and skill levels. A robust matching algorithm then connects users with compatible training partners based on shared interests and location. Once matched, users can engage in direct messaging, schedule training sessions, and track their progress. Incorporating feedback from the peer review process, the prototype has been enhanced with a streamlined onboarding process, improved match functionality, a robust messaging system, engaging community features, and accessibility considerations.

Link to the high-fidelity prototype in Figma

Sticker Sheet
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