Working Out Redefined

Working Out Redefined

Part II – Converting Research into UX 

Part II – Converting Research into UX

To successfully convey a new mental model of tracking, I proceeded to distill the information gathered during research into a format that would effectively communicate user needs. I collected representative data and compiled the insights into two personas who could benefit the most while being representative of the market.

To successfully convey a new mental model of tracking, I proceeded to distill the information gathered during research into a format that would effectively communicate user needs. I collected representative data and compiled the insights into two personas who could benefit the most while being representative of the market.

Rachel was the driving persona of the project and the main user I focused on. She guided the need to create a product that was both empowering and useful but also enjoyable and frictionless. Her persistence to stick to a commitment after a long day was easy to connect with on an emotional level and helped to design a highly informative yet approachable product.
 

Rachel was the driving persona of the project and the main user I focused on. She guided the need to create a product that was both empowering and useful but also enjoyable and frictionless. Her persistence to stick to a commitment after a long day was easy to connect with on an emotional level and helped to design a highly informative yet approachable product.
 

Anthony, the life-hacker, was a strong secondary user and a potential advocate. Although he really enjoys getting confirmation of his attempts to optimize every area of his life, to make a significant impact the product would have to address and connect to a broader user base. Still, as an early adopter, Anthony could provide real use case feedback of early iterations and be the critical link between superfans and mainstream adaptation.

Anthony, the life-hacker, was a strong secondary user and a potential advocate. Although he really enjoys getting confirmation of his attempts to optimize every area of his life, to make a significant impact the product would have to address and connect to a broader user base. Still, as an early adopter, Anthony could provide real use case feedback of early iterations and be the critical link between superfans and mainstream adaptation.

Additionally to personas, I also used the JTBD framework to explore different contexts in which a user would use the product to understand their motivation and desired outcome from a more objective perspective. Based on interviews and surveys, I created the following job stories:

Additionally to personas, I also used the JTBD framework to explore different contexts in which a user would use the product to understand their motivation and desired outcome from a more objective perspective. Based on interviews and surveys, I created the following job stories:

To expand the time frame in which I thought about the product and deepen my understanding of where the user is coming from, I laid out a user journey that considered previous tracking experience. Later on, this helped me to pivot around former troublesome tracking attempts and communicate a new, more useful and enjoyable mental model of tracking.

To expand the time frame in which I thought about the product and deepen my understanding of where the user is coming from, I laid out a user journey that considered previous tracking experience. Later on, this helped me to pivot around former troublesome tracking attempts and communicate a new, more useful and enjoyable mental model of tracking.

To provide long and short-term engagement, I decided to introduce pre and post workout rituals and provide a platform that would be driven by local gyms and its members. This approach resonated with the guiding principles (empowering, engaging, frictionless) established in research & analysis, and was echoed by research data demonstrating that services offered, after location and before price, was the second most important gym choice criteria.

To provide long and short-term engagement, I decided to introduce pre and post workout rituals and provide a platform that would be driven by local gyms and its members. This approach resonated with the guiding principles (empowering, engaging, frictionless) established in research & analysis, and was echoed by research data demonstrating that services offered, after location and before price, was the second most important gym choice criteria.

Unfortunately, this also showed that a truly user-centered solution would be mostly centered around the timeframe of workouts. The critical parts in establishing a new habit (apart from the sheer force of will) are timing and frequency of rewards. No matter how great the experience during the workout, the weak link in building a habit (both in working out and using the product) would remain the time passed between two sessions. While more frequently used products can use the variables of interval and ratio of rewards for the highest dopamine release, I needed to find a solution that could form a habit with 1-3 workouts per week in mind. I used the Hooked canvas in conjunction with the task flowchart to map out habit-forming behavior and find the right balance of pleasure (instant gratification) and happiness (long-term) rewards.

Unfortunately, this also showed that a truly user-centered solution would be mostly centered around the timeframe of workouts. The critical parts in establishing a new habit (apart from the sheer force of will) are timing and frequency of rewards. No matter how great the experience during the workout, the weak link in building a habit (both in working out and using the product) would remain the time passed between two sessions. While more frequently used products can use the variables of interval and ratio of rewards for the highest dopamine release, I needed to find a solution that could form a habit with 1-3 workouts per week in mind. I used the Hooked canvas in conjunction with the task flowchart to map out habit-forming behavior and find the right balance of pleasure (instant gratification) and happiness (long-term) rewards.

In order to pull the idea from the ether and see how it performs under real-life conditions, I decided to set up a fake door landing page. From interviews, I knew that successfully conveying a new mental model of tracking would be tricky and the initial contact with a new idea could make or break the overall impression. Attempts to explain the new product through images and text in 5-second tests proved to be unreliable, and I decided to visualize the process through a short video. I mocked up a short clip of a tracking camera in action, which worked wonders in communicating the tracking model.

In order to pull the idea from the ether and see how it performs under real-life conditions, I decided to set up a fake door landing page. From interviews, I knew that successfully conveying a new mental model of tracking would be tricky and the initial contact with a new idea could make or break the overall impression. Attempts to explain the new product through images and text in 5-second tests proved to be unreliable, and I decided to visualize the process through a short video. I mocked up a short clip of a tracking camera in action, which worked wonders in communicating the tracking model.

Using what I learned during the ideation and combining it with the findings of user research and feedback rounds, I designed a landing page with the goal to quickly communicate a new fitness tracking product and enriching it with additional value propositions. The tricky part was balancing a visually distinctive look & feel to differentiate Quantum from traditional fitness trackers while at the same time fulfilling established norms to quickly communicate the purpose of the service.

Using what I learned during the ideation and combining it with the findings of user research and feedback rounds, I designed a landing page with the goal to quickly communicate a new fitness tracking product and enriching it with additional value propositions. The tricky part was balancing a visually distinctive look & feel to differentiate Quantum from traditional fitness trackers while at the same time fulfilling established norms to quickly communicate the purpose of the service.

During the project, I came across some parallels between classical behavioral theories and ideas from different backgrounds attempting to explain what drives our behavior and decision making. I used the opportunity to map out an overarching framework to get a deeper understanding of underlying motivations and struggles of users. The beauty and challenge of design is the lifelong learning process, and while by no means an exact model, I really enjoyed the process of connecting some dots. 

During the project, I came across some parallels between classical behavioral theories and ideas from different backgrounds attempting to explain what drives our behavior and decision making. I used the opportunity to map out an overarching framework to get a deeper understanding of underlying motivations and struggles of users. The beauty and challenge of design is the lifelong learning process, and while by no means an exact model, I really enjoyed the process of connecting some dots.