Final Project – Process

Slide Presentation

http://slides.com/porfiriomoreno/pencil-me-in#/

Definition statement

• The purpose of your App

The purpose of my app is to reduce the time spent taking phone calls for appointment bookings, manage schedules for barbershops and beauty salons, and for their customers to quickly make appointments through the app. I don’t want to eliminate the method of taking appointments through the phone I want to expand the accessibility users have for making appointments.  

• Who it’s for and how they’ll use it.

My app is for barber shop/beauty salon owners, their employees, and their customers. Barbershops and beauty salons can set up an efficient and organized way to take customers appointments and for their customers to quickly make appointments. Barber shops/beauty salons can set up their business and add employee schedules and start taking appointments, and customers will be able to make/cancel appointments, view prices, message barbers directly if they are running late or if they have any questions.  

• It’s core functionality.

The app’s core functionality is to set and organize appointments for barber shops or hair salons and for a customer to quickly set up appointments.

• Pain points

• When a barbershop is full barbers usually have to decide who will answer the phone. The app will reduce the number of appointments made through the phone.
• If the user forgets when they set their appointment the can look at the app and it will let them know when their appointment is set and can even notify them on the day of.
• When running late you can directly message barbers and let them know otherwise barbers will think they won’t show and instead attend someone else.

Personas

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Sketches

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Wireframes

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Design pattern study

User Profile

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Search

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List

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Calendar

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logins

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Notifications

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User Testing

Product Under Test: Pencil Me In App

Goal: The goal for the Usability test is to improve the design and usability for users.

Participants

2 people who frequently go to the barbershop

1 barber shop owner

Test Task

BarberShop customers

1.Create A Profile

2.Find a barbershop/salon

3.Book an appointment

4.Message the barber

Barbershop Owner

1.create a profile

2.add prices and services

3.Edit profile

Equipment

Mobile Phone

Data will be recorded with screenshot of task

Test Participant #1(Barbershop customer)

Task

1.Create A Profile

2.Find a barbershop/salon

3.Book an appointment

4.Message the barber

Questions

1.Did you find completing any of task difficult?

Task #2-Yes it would be helpful if there was a pop-up or something guiding you to what you can do next.

2.Was there anything you didn’t understand or didn’t like?

Task #1-Yes I would like to reconfirm my password or be able to see it after I type it.

3.Was there anything you did like or found interesting?

Task #1-That it did not ask for unnecessary requirements to sign up.

Task # 2-that the navigation was easy to find.

Task #3-Being able to choose a barber/stylist.

Task #4-That the app tells you who you are messaging.

4.What could be improved?

Task #1-how will that app know your location after you sign up.

Task #2-A pop up or something telling you what you can do in the app.

Task #4-More info on the barbers and pictures on the work they do.

Test Participant #2 (Barbershop customer)

Task

1.Create A Profile

2.Find a barbershop/salon

3.Book an appointment

4.Message the barber

Questions

1.Did you find completing this task difficult?

No

2.Was there anything you didn’t understand or didn’t like?

Task #2- did not understand if all the barbers were available.

Task #2 is there an order I have to follow or can I start with barber first.

 3.Was there anything you did like or found interesting?

Task #2 I like that the pictures of the barbers appear because I might not remember their names

Task# 4- that you can message the barber

4.What could be improved?

Task #2-Can you choose a barber first. Adding reviews

Test Participant #3 (Barbershop Owner)

Task

1.Create a profile

2.Add prices and services

3.Edit profile

Questions

1.Did you find completing this task difficult?

No

2.What can be improved?

A way to display upcoming appointments like on a tv.

Add more options

Can I look at previous appointments made

3.Was there anything you didn’t Understand?

How do the barbers get the messages directly?

What if I have multiple barbershops?

How do barbers login, does everybody use the same account?

OverAll Findings

I noticed when the second test participant was asked to find a barber shop they first clicked on the menu at the top left and not the quick menu at the bottom. When I asked them why they didn’t click the menu at the bottom they said they did not notice it and when I asked them to repeat the task they clicked the search icon instead of the shop icon. To improve the usability I might add the name at the bottom of the icon. To improve the book an appointment design I decided to add a filter function so the user can start wherever, the user can start with a barber and then the app will display when and what time the barber has available. For the barbershop owner, I decided to add a display function that they can use during work that will display the barbers and their schedules.

Final Design Comps

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Project 4

Product Under Test: Pencil Me In App

Goal: The goal for the Usability test is to improve the design and usability for users.

Participants

2 people who frequently go to the barbershop

1 barber shop owner

 

Test Task

BarberShop customers

1.Create A Profile

2.Find a barbershop/salon

3.Book an appointment

4.Message the barber

 

Barbershop Owner

1.create a profile

2.add prices and services

3.Edit profile

Equipment

Mobile Phone

Data will be recorded with screenshot of task

 

Test Participant #1(Barbershop customer)

Task

1.Create A Profile

2.Find a barbershop/salon

3.Book an appointment

4.Message the barber

 

Questions

1.Did you find completing any of task difficult?

Task #2-Yes it would be helpful if there was a pop-up or something guiding you to what you can do next.

 

2.Was there anything you didn’t understand or didn’t like?

Task #1-Yes I would like to reconfirm my password or be able to see it after I type it.

 

3.Was there anything you did like or found interesting?

Task #1-That it did not ask for unnecessary requirements to sign up.

Task # 2-that the navigation was easy to find.

Task #3-Being able to choose a barber/stylist.

Task #4-That the app tells you who you are messaging.

 

4.What could be improved?

Task #1-how will that app know your location after you sign up.

Task #2-A pop up or something telling you what you can do in the app.

Task #4-More info on the barbers and pictures on the work they do.

 

Test Participant #2 (Barbershop customer)

Task

1.Create A Profile

2.Find a barbershop/salon

3.Book an appointment

4.Message the barber

 

Questions

1.Did you find completing this task difficult?

No

2.Was there anything you didn’t understand or didn’t like?

Task #2- did not understand if all the barbers were available.

Task #2 is there an order I have to follow or can I start with barber first.

 3.Was there anything you did like or found interesting?

Task #2 I like that the pictures of the barbers appear because I might not remember their names

Task# 4- that you can message the barber

4.What could be improved?

Task #2-Can you choose a barber first. Adding reviews

 

Test Participant #3 (Barbershop Owner)

Task

1.Create a profile

2.Add prices and services

3.Edit profile

 

Questions

1.Did you find completing this task difficult?

No

2.What can be improved?

A way to display upcoming appointments like on a tv.

Add more options

Can I look at previous appointments made

3.Was there anything you didn’t Understand?

How do the barbers get the messages directly?

What if I have multiple barbershops?

How do barbers login, does everybody use the same account?

OverAll Findings

I noticed when the second test participant was asked to find a barber shop they first clicked on the menu at the top left and not the quick menu at the bottom. When I asked them why they didn’t click the menu at the bottom they said they did not notice it and when I asked them to repeat the task they clicked the search icon instead of the shop icon. To improve the usability I might add the name at the bottom of the icon. To improve the book an appointment design I decided to add a filter function so the user can start wherever, the user can start with a barber and then the app will display when and what time the barber has available. For the barbershop owner, I decided to add a display function that they can use during work that will display the barbers and their schedules.

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Assignment 4

Pencil Me In ios app

The idea for the icon is to combine a pencil and a barbershop pole.

For the colors I wanted to use some type of red and blue that represent the barbershop poles usually seen outside barbershops.

 

for the navigation in the app, I am still undecided on what I should go with but I am leaning more towards having the navigation button at the bottom left and on click opening up, or just having the navigation at the top left.

Project 3

User Profile

 

Search

 

List

Calendar

 

logins

 

Notifications

Midterm Project

• What’s your app named?

Pencil Me In

• What problems does it solve?

It allows barbers shops and salons to take appointments online by adding their business on the app, and it also allows users to book appointments through the same app. Users can make appointments at any time and from any place.

• Why are you passionate about this technology?

I really think that the app would be useful for both shops and their clients, many people cut their hair and the app will open accessibility at any time.

• Who is your user?

The user of the app will be barbershop and beauty salon owners and their clients.

• Why will they want to use your app?

For barbershops and beauty salons it will help them take appointments through the app without having to setup a website. From a user standpoint, you can quickly make and cancel an appointment so if anything comes up you don’t have to wait for business hours to reschedule.

• How is the app organized (user flow)?

Since the app will serve two different users I thought it best to start with a welcome page and from there the user will decide where to go next after that the user will have the option to log in or sign up. Once the user signs up they can explore shops and book appointments at the end they will have a page where they can confirm the scheduled appointment.

• What are the main sections and features?

The main section for clients that want to book appointments will be the profile screen. From there they can see if they have any upcoming appointments and search or explore barbershops.For the shop owners, I would like it to be similar to the shop screen the only thing I would add is an edit feature so they can edit their page. I would still like to add features that will help users stay organized and allow them to be reminded when their appointment is and even add it to their calendars.  

Definition statement

• The purpose of your App

The purpose of my app is to reduce the time spent taking phone calls for appointment bookings, manage schedules for barbershops and beauty salons, and for their customers to quickly make appointments through the app. I don’t want to eliminate the method of taking appointments through the phone I want to expand the accessibility users have for making appointments.  

• Who it’s for and how they’ll use it.

My app is for barber shop/beauty salon owners, their employees, and their customers. Barbershops and beauty salons can set up an efficient and organized way to take customers appointments and for their customers to quickly make appointments. Barber shops/beauty salons can set up their business and add employee schedules and start taking appointments, and customers will be able to make/cancel appointments, view prices, message barbers directly if they are running late or if they have any questions.  

• It’s core functionality.

The app’s core functionality is to set and organize appointments for barber shops or hair salons and for a customer to quickly set up appointments.

• Pain points

• When a barbershop is full barbers usually have to decide who will answer the phone. The app will reduce the number of appointments made through the phone.
• If the user forgets when they set their appointment the can look at the app and it will let them know when their appointment is set and can even notify them on the day of.
• When running late you can directly message barbers and let them know otherwise barbers will think they won’t show and instead attend someone else.

Personas

Sketches

 

User flow diagram/flowchart

Wireframes (Balsamiq)

https://santamonicacollege.mybalsamiq.com/mockups/5599489.png?key=84e12280c0e9bf1b8b53f6d1a4ea5a4996f1e0b4

Wireframes (Sketch)

Project 2

• Are they male/female?

The people I interviewed were all male

• How old are they?

26-47

• Where do they live?

They all live in the la area

• Do they have children?

Yes

• Are they married?

Yes

• Where are they when they use the app?

They are most likely to be at work when using the app

• Do they love a competitive app? Why?

No, the barbershop owner does not use any competitive apps neither does the client

• What do they do?

They work at barbershops

• What do they have in common?

NA

• Why are they interested in the topic?

It’s part of their job. And the client cuts his hair twice a month and it’s something he has to fit in his schedule

• Who are they trying to impress?

NA

• Who impresses them?

NA

• What Internet tools do they use most every day?

facebook, pandora and yelp.

• What Internet tools do they not use ever?

NA

• What drives my target to make decisions?

A Busy schedule.

• Can they afford my app?

Not sure if the app will be free

• Can I reach them with my app? Are they accessible?

Yes, the app will allow barbers and client to message each other through the app.

• Are there enough people in your target to be profitable?

Not sure

• How does your idea resonate with your audience on an emotional level?

They find it useful for them and would definitely like to give it a try

• Do you need to break your target up into niches?

Yes the app has to serve both barbershop owners and their clients

App Critique 2 and 3

App Critique 2

Amazon Fire TV

• Is the design appropriate for the target audience? Who is the target audience?

The target audience if for users who own any of the  Amazon fire sticks and who like to use their phones as a remote control. Yes, the design has the same features as the actual control only arranged differently in the app.

• Does the content, organization, and navigation make sense for a mobile or touch context?

Yes, the content makes sense for mobile and touch when you search something you get a full keyboard that makes it easier to use instead of using directional keys to type.   

• What is working well? What could be improved and how would you improve it?

What is working well in the app is the ability to quickly type something because you are able to use your keyboard on your phone and the ability to toggle through different amazon fire stick devices quickly. I think that the app would be improved if they remove the directional swipe and add separate directional buttons instead.

• Discuss one of the 17 Android Design Principles and how it relates to this App (in either a positive or negative way)

Do the heavy lifting for me

One of the best features in the app is the ability to set favorites to quickly go from one app to another, and you can personalize the shortcut menu. For me this feature gives the app an advantage over the physical remote and can be a good selling point for users to download the app.

 

 

App Critique 3

Amazon prime

1. Is the design appropriate for the target audience? Who is the target audience?

The target audience is amazon prime members to place orders and receive them that same day.

 

1. Does the content, organization, and navigation make sense for a mobile or touch context?

Yes, the content organization and navigation make sense. The app is easy to use and all the items are displayed big enough for a user to see and tap on if you are using your left hand or right.

1. What is working well? What could be improved and how would you improve it?

What is working well in the app is to be able to track you order in real time, this makes it easy to know how far away your order is. This can be helpful if you have something else to do you can estimate how much time before your order arrives. What can be improved in the app is if it remembered you search filters so every time you search something you don’t have to edit the filters over and over again. This is important because in the app there are two other smaller stores you can buy from but the orders will be placed separate and you have to spend $20 for and order to ship.

1. Discuss one of the 17 Android Design Principles and how it relates to this App (in either a positive or negative way)

Never lose my stuff

It makes ordering easy when you don’t have to retype your address every time you order it also helps reduce the chances of making a mistake you type your address. In the app you can also shop past purchases it is helpful so you don’t have look through all their items if you want to reorder something

 

App Critique 1

App Critique 1

MLB at Bat

• Is the design appropriate for the target audience? Who is the target audience?

The target audience is major league baseball fans who don’t want to miss a baseball game. The design is appropriate for the target audience the app allows you to choose your favorite team and just keep track of them with play by play notifications. With a paid subscription you can watch live games or listen in on a game from your phone by clicking on the tv icon or headphones icon located at the top, or for free you can check the live scoreboard of your favorite team along with top stories, video clips, tickets, and team info.

• Does the content, organization, and navigation make sense for a mobile or touch context?

The content is organization does make sense the app displays the current game scoreboard at the top which is the most important thing a user will like to quickly see. The navigation also makes sense because it gives you more option but when you select an option it is not for your favorite team it in for all the teams.

• What is working well? What could be improved and how would you improve it?

I think what is working well is that you can focus specifically on one team but it can be improved by including the scoreboards for all the other games possibly hidden and you can expand it if you tap the drop down button. This would be important especially towards the end of the season if two teams are tied and you want to keep updated on multiple games.

• Discuss one of the 17 Android Design Principles and how it relates to this App (in either a positive or negative way)

Only interrupt me if it’s important

I like how you can choose what notifications you get like game start, game end, scoring plays, lead change, and news. I like being able to choose because when I first downloaded the app I received notifications for everything and it became annoying but know I only get what I find important.  

Assignment 3

1. Complete an informal Competitive Analysis: find 2-3 Mobile apps that do something similar and summarize what they do, and outline their best and worst features.

Simplybook.me

Simplybook.me is an appointment scheduling software that works with your computer and android or apple devices. Simplybook offers a free membership but is limited to 50 bookings per month. The amount of booking a month varies per membership the most expensive is $59.90 per month and offers a 2000 booking you can make per month and if you pass that you can buy additional bookings. They are made for any business, when you sign up you get a website and that how users will make their appointments. The offer a lot of great features like online payment and facebook msg bookings that will allow users to make appointments through facebook. It seems that their mobile app doesn’t work that well so if the app doesn’t work users have to book an appointment through the phone or on the business website.

Schedulista

Schedulista is another appointment scheduling website for any business to use and they also have mobile apps for android and iPhone. The most expensive plan for Schedulista is $39 per month but it’s for a staff of 2-15 and if you have a bigger staff you have to contact them for pricing. One of the features I found surprising was credit card capture and it is a way for a business to charge for no-shows. I think this feature is something that will not appeal to users it almost feels untrustworthy.

 

2. Work on defining your Mobile app concept:

The concept of my app is targeted for barbershops and their customers. It will serve barber shops that want to take appointments online by simply adding their shop through the app. And it will also serve users to make appointments through the app quickly at any time and from any place.
3. Work on the second draft of your Concept Generation Worksheet to formulate your concepts and to come up with a final concept.

Assignment 2

1. What is meant by the term Competitive Landscape?It is a way to analyze your competitors and see competitive apps strengths and weakness.
2. What is User Experience Mapping? It is a way to identify users problems they currently face and solve the problems with real users or personas. 
3. What is meant by “Kill the Baby”?It is the process of eliminating unrelated, inessential or unrealistic ideas from the app.
4. What is skeuomorphism?Design element that are designed to look like real world buttons.
5. Tell us what steps are included in the “Idea and Design” Process.Competitive landscape, User Experience mapping, Personas, The definition, Sketching the interactions, Establishing the Theme, Testing, Launch

 

The app starts with a signup page to give the app a more personal feel, as you sign up it ask for a goal that you are counting towards. In the home screen you can also add an image to your profile and on the side is the user’s name and goal. Under that is the current count with the goal or purpose you are counting towards. When you add an entry the current count is shown at the top of the screen.If you set a goal the app count will change colors from green all the way red indicating you are about to pass the goal count you set. The app can be customized so you can track other things, for example, John can also add the amount of money he spends per coffee and the amount of coffee he drinks. I also included a stats screen with a goal line and at the bottom it calculates the average coffee per month/day/year and other options like money. John can also share his progress through facebook and twitter. The app also has a rewards screen to keep the user motivated like daily check-ins etc. The app also features a community page where users can interact with other users that share the same goal.