SentIt is a mobile app that helps forgetful gift givers reduce cognitive load through an intuitive and delightful design that encourages intentionality and thoughtfulness.
Overview
The task for this boot camp project was to research, prototype, test, and validate an idea for a brand-new mobile application. The app needed to solve a real, clearly identified need in users’ everyday lives.
After brainstorming and evaluating a number of potential problems, my team realized the common denominator between all of the problems was a nagging sense of isolation. The end result is SentIt, a delight-filled mobile app that helps users reconnect with others through the intentional act of remembering and celebrating special occasions with card and gift-giving.
The Problem
Busyness and distance leads to forgetting special occasions until the last minute. Automation and quick delivery have become a crutch, decreasing a sense of connection with others. Is there a way we can design an app that resolves these concerns?
Our user desires to reconnect by remembering to intentionally acknowledge special occasions.
The Solution
Design an app that integrates a user-friendly database, holding key information about special occasions, with the opportunity to purchase and send physical cards and gifts directly to the recepients.
Empathize
Research Intro
To gain insights into users' needs and pain points regarding remembering special occasions and sending cards and gifts, a comprehensive research and interview process was conducted. We employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to obtain a deep understanding of user behaviors, motivations, and frustrations through surveys and user interviews. . The research findings provided valuable insights that guided the design and development of SentIt, ensuring it effectively addresses users' needs and delivers a seamless and emotionally fulfilling experience.
Survey
Initial surveys were distributed to gather demographic information and ascertain general user preferences.
User Interviews
Subsequently, in-depth interviews were conducted with a diverse group of participants to explore their personal experiences, challenges, and desires when it came to remembering important dates and engaging in thoughtful gestures
DEFINE
User Persona
Based on the sythesis of our research, we created a specific user looking for ways to intentionally remember and celebrate the people and occassions in her life.
Meet Venessa, a busy RN and mother living in Upstate New York. She often feels guily about forgetting her family and friend's and the special moments in their lives. Her goals are to thoughtfully acknowledge her people and the events in their lives with meaningful cards and gifts. She needs help remembering and completing tasks a head of time in a way that works with her busy and demanding lifestlyle.
Competitor Analysis
Our team 5 potential competitors. Two apps that offered similar but limited features that would help Vanessa remember and send intentional gifts and cards…. Two other apps helped with remembering ocassions but not other key data that would help with intentional remembering or giving. Amazon, on the other hand provided an easy place to purchase gifts and cards but lacked the intentionality she was looking for.
After analyzing their key strengths and weaknesses out team had a more clear picture of the type of solution that would meet Vanessa's needs.
IDEATE
I Like. I Wish. What If.
After completing our research, my team spent time brainstorming solutions using the I Like. I Wish, What If method.
Feature Prioritization
Next, we assessed and categorized these ideas based on their desirability and feasibility. The most promising concepts were then transferred to the feature prioritization matrix, where each idea was evaluated based on criteria such as user value, business impact, technical complexity, and development effort. By systematically comparing and weighing the features, the team was able to make informed decisions on which ones to prioritize for implementation, ensuring that the final product would offer the most valuable and impactful features to users while aligning with technical feasibility and business goals.
Storyboard
These actitivies helped our team develop an insight statement that lead the way for us to develop a meaningful soltution for our user, Venessa.
Insight Statement:
Vanessa Smith needs a simple, convenient way to send cards and gifts to significant others because she wants to remember and be thoughtful. She often forgets and ends up scrambling at the last minute. Her current methods (work and personal calendar and FB) aren't working.
Prototype
Sketches
This is the space for the insight statements and what we learned about our user in the process of doing the research with as many words as necessary.
Test
User Testing
This is the space for the insight statements and what we learned about our user in the process of doing the research with as many words as necessary.
Iterations
Proiect overview summary words about the ux design case study project. Keep it big picture and say something about the problem space and the proposed solution. Make this no more than 3 lines no matter what. Cut if you need to.
Proiect overview summary words about the ux design case study project. Keep it big picture and say something about the problem space and the proposed solution. Make this no more than 3 lines no matter what. Cut if you need to.
Final Product
This is the space for the insight statements and what we learned about our user in the process of doing the research with as many words as necessary.
Next Steps
This is the space for the insight statements and what we learned about our user in the process of doing the research with as many words as necessary.
Feature Local Artists
Integrate artist contribution ability for cards
Develop Backend Features
Integrate artist contribution ability for cards
IMPROVE CUSTOMER Onboarding
Develop coaching screens
Enhance Payment Experience
I’ve built pretty handy sites powered by Craft or WordPress in the past, but seeing @framer tackle CMS stuff so effortlessly is mind-boggling
Conclusion
Heart behind a concept goes a long way
Feedback and iterations are crucial
Accommodating the user’s wants often requires minimal effort (low complexity/high impact)
