LA|Fitness: Improved Usability for Greater Engagement
An optimized user experience, elevating user interaction and motivation
Personal Project at Careerist ⧗ 3 months
Cutting out the noise
Stay focused, inspired, motivated, fit, and unstoppable!
Join me on a journey to explore how less is sometimes more
Powering through the Challenge!
The Challenge
laid in overcoming the prevailing pattern where users primarily used the app for gym check-ins with minimal exploration of its additional functionalities
The Goal
was to reignite user interest and enhance engagement
To Achieve So,
had to thoroughly explore the app's features to identify users' pain points for improvement
Lack of User-Friendliness ——————— •
The application lacks user-friendliness, hindering ease of use
User Motivation Gap ————————— •
Users may not be motivated to engage with certain features due to lack of interest or awareness
• —————————————— Bugs
Frustrating technical issues hinder proper app usage, causing user frustration
• ——————— Functional Necessity
Users only utilize the application for gym check-ins, neglecting other features
• — Unappealing and Outdated Design
Outdated design elements & color usage fail to attract frequent user engagement
Overview Analysis
What is known?
How might we redesign the
LA Fitness app for a more engaging
and user-friendly experience?
Research
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The objective was to gain an in-depth understanding of the users' behaviors, interactions, needs, preferences, and pain points with the existing application, as well as to explore new practices and approaches taken by competitors.
To accomplish this, thorough research was conducted, analyzing each functional, visual, and outdated feature and concept to address the challenges properly and accordingly, including business gaps.
This deliberate effort provided valuable insights to redesign the application effectively, ensuring it met user satisfaction while addressing business objectives.
Key Insights
What was learnt?
← For better visibility: zoom in and out, click and drag around
During the thorough research phase, user interviews were conducted with fitness application users. These interviews provided valuable insights gathered from their experiences with various fitness apps, guiding the formulation of suitable solutions.
Desirable features included:
Simplicity and ease of use in application navigation
Introduction of new user-friendly features
Inclusion of nutrition and exercise recommendations
Implementation of an engaging rewards program
Irritable features included:
Advertisements on the screens
Difficulty in finding items easily
Excessive clicks required
Overabundance of text on the screen
Usability Test
What was observed?
Based on insights gathered from user interviews and iterative design solutions aimed at enhancing user engagement with the LA Fitness application, a usability test was conducted.
What worked:
Simple signup process requiring only necessary information
Seamless user experience
Easy-to-understand and navigate interface
Convenient gym check-in feature
Relevant tabs for easy access
Effective system for tracking points towards rewards
What needed further improvement:
Addition of option to login through Apple ID
Clarification of redemption process for rewards
Removal of unnecessary "Instructor's Column" under attendance section
Lacking a LA Fitness UI kit and brand guideline, I had the freedom to redesign the application as I saw fit.
During the development of LA Fitness' new brand identity, I embarked on a deliberate process to encapsulate their ethos and vision.
Color Psychology: Opting for the color green, symbolic of growth, health, and freshness, aimed to resonate with the audience's aspirations for vitality and well-being.
Logo: Drawing inspiration from the iconic imagery of Los Angeles, I integrated palm trees into the logo design to evoke a sense of local identity and strength.
Typography: "Poppins" was meticulously chosen for its versatility and legibility, ensuring the brand message remained clear and accessible across various platforms.
Iconography: To ensure user-friendly navigation, I opted for simple and easily identifiable icons, each paired with clear tab names for quick and intuitive recognition. This approach aligns with the feedback received from the user interview, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and straightforwardness in the application design.
This cohesive blend of elements embodies the commitment to fostering a dynamic and inviting space centered around wellness and vitality.
Reimagining LA|Fitness
Final Design
Advised to prioritize one feature to provide a functionality and a fresh feel, and after reviewing user interview feedback, enhancing the rewards program emerged as the optimal approach. Through extensive design efforts, including creating a new logo, selecting icons, incorporating a progress bar, and leveraging color psychology, I seamlessly integrated these elements to craft a cohesive, engaging, and user-friendly application.
Integrated options for easy login/sign-up via Facebook, Instagram, Google and Apple ID to enhance user accessibility and experience
Designed the sign-up form to be concise and intuitive, requesting only essential information for a streamlined user experience
Upon login, implemented the QR code on the homepage’s top center to ensure convenient and swift access for users
Login/Sign-Up Screens
Given the rewards program's significance to users, I streamlined access by integrating a quick pathway from the home page
Implemented a progress bar on the rewards hub page, enabling users to track their point accumulation until they are ready to redeem them for enticing rewards
Users can easily check available rewards and their points. When the "redeem" button is green, they can initiate redemption smoothly
The Rewards’ “Hub”
Integrated attendance, challenges, milestones, and rewards' history on the rewards' hub screen to illustrate their link to the program and provide users with convenient access to view and track their accumulated points
Added an information icon to provide users with guidance and additional information about the functionality of the progress bar
Designed for convenience and simplicity, users can easily view completed and pending tasks in challenges and milestones, with expandable options for more details.
Similarly, scrolling on attendance and rewards' history pages simplifies tracking gym or class attendances, identifying earned points' sources
The Rewards’ Extension Screens
Successful Impacts
Following a second usability test, which garnered favorable feedback, participants were guided through a brief satisfaction survey at the end.
By comparing responses before and after implementing changes, the following impacts were measured
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Organization and Clarity
In a subsequent user interview comparing the old and new designs, users awarded higher rating scores and expressed positive feedback on the enhancements. They praised the improved ease of navigation, user-friendliness, simplicity, and reduced clutter, attributing these to well-organized content. Calculations based on the change in users' rating scores indicated an estimated 47.5% increase in user satisfaction.
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Functionality and Visual Appeal
Users' rating scores between the two designs showed a 50% increase in engagement. This was attributed to streamlined gym check-ins, cohesive elements improving functionality, and easy access to rewards, which enhanced usability and motivation. Users also appreciated the calming green color scheme, contributing to a wellness-oriented vibe in line with gym app expectations and ultimately encouraging regular app usage.
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User Experience and Motivation
Users' feedback and improved ratings reflected a significant a 67.5% increase in user retention. Mainly, this improvement was attributed to the enticing rewards offered by the application. Users expressed their willingness to work hard to complete challenges and milestones to accumulate points for redeeming these rewards. Additionally, motivating statements of encouragement across the app and the overall simplicity of it, contributed to an enhanced user experience and motivation.
Key Takeaways
Navigating in a new career path is a challenging yet rewarding journey. Immersing myself in a project aligned with my interests provided an invaluable opportunity to apply critical thinking and creativity. As a beginner, I embraced the learning curve and gleaned significant insights throughout the process, fostering personal and professional growth.
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Accessibility Guidelines
By integrating dark mode with accessibility guidelines, I learned to prioritize user experience for diverse audiences. Considering contrast ratios, color schemes, and user preferences highlighted the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in design decisions, fostering more user-friendly digital experiences.
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Cohesive Design System
An essential lesson learned was the significance of developing a cohesive design system. Unified elements like color and typography ensure consistency across any framework, enhancing visual appeal and enabling easier scalability and maintenance. Moving forward, I will continue to prioritize this approach.
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The Importance of Labeling
A lesson embraced during this project was the importance of labeling every element on Figma to ensure clarity and efficiency throughout the design process. It is a lesson I will be taking with me on future endeavors since it also promotes seamless collaboration among team members, facilitating smoother design iterations.
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Interactive Prototype
An invaluable lesson was recognizing the pivotal role of interactive prototypes. They not only refine user interactions but also serve as powerful tools for presenting design concepts to stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the desired vision. I am committed to refining these skills to continually improve and grow as a designer, with the overarching goal of delivering optimal user experiences.
“Maria possesses impressive design skills, marked by an exceptional attention to detail and a true love for artistic expression. Throughout our course, her work consistently showcased creativity and an unwavering dedication to achieving the highest standards of excellence.”
- Rose Anne J.
UX Support Analyst
Testimonials
“Maria is an exceptional designer known for her strategic mindset, very precise attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to every phase of the design process.”
- Victoria Zhuk
Product Designer