HabitWave

My Role

In the HabitWave project, I was involved in several key areas of UX/UI design, including:

• Research and User Surveys
• Graphic Design
• Wireframing and Prototyping
• Usability Testing
• Final Design Implementation

Research Goals

I aim to understand how users interact with habit-building platforms to enhance HabitWave’s effectiveness in supporting users' efforts to cultivate positive habits.

Methodologies:

• Competitive Analysis
• User Survey

Competitive Analysis

I looked at habit apps like Habitica, Habitify, and HabitNow. Each app has its own unique strengths. Habitica makes tracking habits fun like a game. Habitify is simple and clean. HabitNow lets you customize everything. But people want more than just tracking. They want some fun, to-do lists, and habits customized for their life. They also want more than just tips – they want a guide to improve their lives. After spotting these gaps I see a chance for HabitWave. It won't just track habits, but will be a journey with insights, growth, and enjoyment.

User Research

Respondent Demographics

Five people were interviewed, providing a focused insight into user habits and app usage preferences.

Pain Points

User Research Summary

During the user research for HabitWave, I delved deeply into studying user habits, behaviors, and preferences. By using qualitative methods like interviews and surveys, I gained valuable insights into what drives users, what challenges they face, and what goals they have when it comes to forming habits. Initially, I had certain assumptions about why users use habit-tracking apps, but my research uncovered a variety of reasons, including improving mental health and personal growth. These discoveries gave us direction on how to customize HabitWave to better meet the diverse needs and preferences of our users.

User Persona

Based on this user survey, I've crafted a persona that encapsulates the characteristics and preferences identified among our respondents.

Empathy Map

To truly step into users’ shoes, I delve deeper with an empathy map.

Features

Starting the Design

After laying a solid foundation with research and feature analysis, the time has come to translate these insights into tangible design solutions.

Paper Wireframes

My design process often starts away from the computer, armed with just a sketchpad and pen. This simple setup allows me to quickly iterate and let creativity flow freely, without any digital barriers.

Digital Wireframes

The sketches were then meticulously transformed into digital wireframes, setting the stage for detailed design phases and interactive prototypes.

Usability Study

With design at a good point, it was crucial to delve into a Usability Study to refine the functionality and ensure a seamless user experience. In case of usability study based around habit creation process I found that moving the "+" button to the bottom center of the screen greatly improved accessibility. This change is in line with how people naturally use their thumbs on smartphones, making it easier to use and reducing the need for hand movements. I also added a streak counter icon that reflects the app's wave theme that gives a visual boost to keep habits on track.

Prototypes

Low Fidelity Prototype

To begin, the user clicks on the "+" button. After that, they decide on a name for their habit, choose an icon, and select a color. They then set the days and times for the habit. Lastly, the first screen is refreshed to display the newly established habit.

High Fidelity Prototype

With our low fidelity prototype refined, it was time to add visual detail and bring the user interface closer to the final product. The high fidelity prototype provides a more precise representation of the user experience, incorporating color, typography, and spacing into the design.

Meet Your New Friends

Seabury the Seahorse and Inky the Octopus are here to assist you on your journey to build and maintain positive habits. As friendly navigators of your habit-tracking app, they offer advice and support, making the process not just effective but enjoyable. They are designed to provide a friendly impression and make your app experience feel more personal and engaging.

Conclusion

Thank you for taking the time to explore the various aspects of the HabitWave project with me. While I would have loved to delve deeper into some of the more detailed findings from these usability studies, I must respect the confidentiality agreements that protect the project details.

Working on HabitWave has been a truly enriching experience. Each phase of the project brought its own set of challenges and learnings. From conceptualizing the initial user flows to crafting engaging personas like Seabury the Seahorse and Inky the Octopus, every step was a chance to apply my Graphic design and UX/UI skills in dynamic ways.