Mobile App Design
Case Study:
Best Buddies
My Role: UX/UI Designer, UX Writer
Timeline: 3 Weeks
Group Project
Tools: Figma, Miro, Trello, Photoshop, Google Suite
Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for one-to-one-friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Problem: There is no centralized platform for communication between buddies for their One-to-One Friendship Program. Also, there is limited opportunity for monitoring by the Best Buddies organization and the parent/guardian.
Goal: The objective is to create an app for buddy pairs to share that is exclusive to them. They can chat, sync calendars, and schedule Best Buddies sponsored events as well as 1-1 activities together. The Best Buddies organization and the parent/guardian will also have access to this account to ensure safety and privacy.
Solution: The app will improve communication between buddy pairs allowing for them to develop closer and more meaningful relationships.
USER RESEARCH
User Survey
A User Survey was conducted asking general questions about Volunteering as well as specific questions about the Best Buddies organization.
What volunteer experiences have you had in the past?
Are you familiar with the organization Best Buddies?
What would you say is the main purpose of this organization?
What appeals to you most on the Best Buddies website?
Is there anything that you dislike about the website? If yes, what?
Do you agree with their mission “...establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).” Why?
Do you currently use calendar apps? If yes, which one(s) and for what purpose(s)?
How would you most likely connect with your Buddy if you were a mentor?
What appeals to you most on the Best Buddies website?
Is there anything that you dislike about the site? If yes, what?
Would you consider using an app to set up a meeting with a Buddy?
How many times per month would you schedule or accept meetings with your Buddy?
Affinity Diagram
The Affinity Diagram, based on the responses received from the User Survey, was organized into 3 categories. Convenience, Safety & Connection.
Competitor Analysis
The Competitor Analysis provided insight as to which features were most commonly present in their apps. A Calendar and Booking feature would be essential to set the Best Buddies app apart from the competitors.
Priority Matrix
A Priority Matrix was developed from the quantitative data of the survey. This helped us to define the most impactful elements to focus on such as Chat & Calendar Booking features.
Value Proposition Canvas
The Value Proposition Canvas further detailed plans for our app keeping in mind the needs and responsibilities of the user including Gains: such as bonding with their buddy Pains: concerning safety & privacy and also Responsibilities: like downloading and becoming familiar with the app.
DEFINITION AND IDEATION
Our Focus for the App
The Best Buddies app will focus on the organization’s One-to-One Friendship Program. This program works by pairing up an individual with an Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) with someone who is non IDD. The buddy pair’s current communication methods are by text, email, phone calls & written correspondence.
Problem Statement
The problems with Best Buddies current methods of communication with their One-to-One Friendship program is that there is no centralized platform for communication between buddies, it’s difficult to schedule & organize activities, they can’t search & share sponsored events or sync calendars, and there is limited monitoring capabilities by the Best Buddies organization and parent/guardian.
Solution
The solution is to create an app that will provide an exclusive connection between the buddy pairs to communicate through a chat feature, schedule Events like a 5K run for example, and also schedule Buddy Pair Meetups.
How Might We Statement
How might we create an inclusive & user-friendly app that facilitates seamless communication, fosters genuine connections, & provides valuable resources to empower individuals with IDD to thrive and engage meaningfully in their communities?
User Personas
Two User Personas were created to represent each individual within the buddy pair.
Sitemap
A simple and straightforward sitemap was developed that prioritizes intuitive learnability and ease of use. Link to file
UI Style Guide
The Style Guide reflects a fun and friendly tone. The bright colors for the app design are inspired by the Best Buddies logo. Poppins font was chosen for its casual look and easy readability. Link to file
PROTOTYPING
Low-Fidelity Wireframe
Referencing the User Flow, a low fidelity prototype was created.
Mid-Fidelity Prototype
The mid fidelity expanded on the user flow and layout.
Mid-Fidelity User Testing
Testers completed 4 tasks. After analyzing the results we made adjustments to the Hi-fidelity prototype.
Task 1: Go to the screen where you would have a conversation with your buddy.
All testers successful.
Tester Observation: Found the button quickly on the Dashboard screen.
Task 2: Find the Events and "Like" one of them.
All testers successful.
Tester Observation: Used the bottom nav and said it felt easier that way.
Task 3: Locate the Favorites Page from the bottom Nav bar
All testers successful.
Tester Observation: Found fairly quickly from the “More” hamburger menu.
Task 4: Locate the Calendar and find your RSVP'd Events
All testers successful.
Tester Observation: Found easily and quickly.
Hi-fidelity Prototype
The first draft of the hi-fidelity prototype incorporates the changes we made from the information gathered as a result of the mid-fidelity testing, such as making a larger dropdown menu and adding confirmation screens after booking an event or activity.
Usability Testing for Hi-fidelity Prototype
During testing for our hi-fidelity prototype, a significant flaw was discovered for completing the task flow of booking group events and 1-1 activities with a buddy. Asking the right question for this testing phase proved to be a revelation for the success (or failure) of the app. Another minor discovery was to add padding around text links and smaller icons like the bookmark to ensure that users are able to successfully activate the touch target.
Task 1: Set up a Buddy Activity.
All testers failed.
Tester Observation: Could not find or understand the intended sequence of screens to book an activity.
Task 2: Find Resources & View the Skills tab.
All testers successful.
Tester Observation: Found quickly and easily. One tester struggled with the touch target.
Task 3: View your Booked Events
All testers successful.
Tester Observation: Didn’t go directly to Calendar page to find button, but found quickly on 2nd try.
Task 4: Add the Bowling Event to your Calendar
All testers successful.
Tester Observation: Found easily and completed task quickly.
Iterated Hi-fidelity A/B Testing
As a result of the original Hi-fi Testing, a B version of the prototype was designed. Conducting an A/B test helped determine which one would prove to be most functional. The outcome from the second testing was on target to finalize the prototype with the B version.
A/B comparison: Dashboard screen
Reword buttons & add additional selection
Add header with logo to every screen for consistency
A/B comparison: Calendar screen
Add button: View/Cancel Bookings
Add header with logo to every screen for consistency
Final Prototype in CMS
The final prototype was recreated into a CMS (Wix). View app by scanning QR code with camera on phone.
CONCLUSION AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Developing a Solid Idea
The initial brainstorming session helped narrow the objective. The objective was on the right track with the concept of providing support to people with intellectual disabilities with a focus on social interaction. However, very early in the case study, I realized that the initial plan did not produce a product that would have enough features to keep users engaged. After having a special meeting with the group, we agreed that our idea needed to be reworked. Communicating with each other to resolve the deficiencies and correcting them early on was instrumental in moving forward with the project.
Detailed Task Flows
Several task flows were mapped out, but it became obvious in the Mid-Fidelity Prototype testing that there were steps that could have been detailed with more precision. Spending more time on this process before going to testing would have been beneficial in getting better results from the Mid-Fi testing.
Rewarding Endeavor
The subject matter of helping individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to have more enriching in-person social connections was very motivating and gratifying. It was a constant reminder that inspired me to develop the Best Buddies Mobile App in order to make the lives better of not only people with intellectual disabilities but also the volunteers who support them.
Future Opportunities for the Best Buddies App
Options for the app would be to add a time tracking feature for keeping a record of volunteer hours and also adding a map feature to the Events page.
