Advanced Int Design Project
Research Summary
UX/UI design to this day remains ever-evolving. With recent studies showing an increasing demand for UX/UI in hybridised environments and associated micro-interactions. As a direct result of COVID-19 companies combat the challenges of hybridised environments – that is, both in the digital and physical world. An example of this transition has occurred with the rise in digital menus in restaurants and the subsequent elimination for the necessity of social interaction with staff. This opens doors in the field of UX/UI design to explore the different ways we now engage with consumers and “strategize for a world that balances both digital and physical spaces” (Warström, 2021).
In this same regard, arises the importance and emphasis on micro interactions. That is, the small, thoughtless moments where the user and design interact to offer an engaging and enhancing experience (VOHRA, 2020). As the aim of UX/UI is to offer the same quality of service provided in face-to-face interaction or (with regards to ecommerce) within a physical store, micro-interactions are an emerging trend. Examples are as simple as like buttons, a visible indicator of the volume as you increase or decrease sound, light/dark modes as you enter different settings, hovers on animations, autofill options and the placing of elements around one’s screen (Ibid). Recent studies show that click rates are significantly lower on the top left corner due to inconvenience of accessibility to users. Thus, emphasising the importance of usability down to the most subtle of design choices as this is now, more than ever, pivotal in enhancing user experience (Banerjee, 2021).
With a particular interest in how micro-interactions can enhance the experience of a group (in regards to group planning for holidays etc.), further research has been conducted into designing for collaboration and playful engagement within app design. After evaluating multiple research journals on their findings regarding what aspects of design foster greater collaboration, Researchers from ‘The Institute of Educational Technology’ summarised the most common findings best. They conducted a case study on participants to better understanding the benefits of computer aided collaborative learning (Blake & Scanlon, 2013). Their research found that “online discussion environments are an important factor in enhancing the efficiency of joint knowledge building and other collaborative processes” (Ibid). Further concluding that, however, to best foster collaboration amongst groups, contextual aspects of the individual such as social, personal and cultural context. This led me to conduct an interview with a group of friends to gain insight into different personality traits and how I could design for inclusivity.
I posed the question, what would you look for in an app to enhance the difficulties of group planning?
The responses were as follows:
Person A: “Umm, probably a way to ensure everyone is doing their part and contributing to the planning instead of it always being left to people like me usually ahhaha”
Person B: “I wish there was a way to talk to everyone and not have people make fun of the things I say because I get confused with so many messages to read if I haven’t been online”
Person C: “Well since last time I had to book and pay for everything an easier way to do that and to make sure everyone knows what’s going on because there’s always that one guy who doesn’t read the messages”
Person D: “I would probably say some sort of organisation in the chaos of just messaging back and forth”
Person E: “Something that made everyone contribute”
Person F: “An option to see accommodation or deals so its all done in one spot instead of having millions of tabs open and having to share heaps of different places”
Person G: “A better way to talk without people getting annoyed and stuff”
Person H: “Maybe like a way of assigning people tasks or something so that everyone even and on the same page”
From the responses, there was a desire for greater organisation and a space where people could communicate safely. Indicated by both the quantitative research and the qualitative data, there is a need for a platform beyond simple chat style messaging to greater foster collaboration that considers the personal, social and cultural contexts of the participants. Which is something I will aspire to bring into my design.
Design Concept
The design concept is an interactive app for group planning and collaboration. Throughout the design process, I explored the emerging trend of interacting in hybridised environments and investigated how micro-interactions can enhance this. Thus, arose the design opportunity for micro interactions to not just make up for the loss of human-to-human interactions but potentially enhance them. An example of this is the ‘lucky draw’ feature which enables users to enter two or more conflicting choices into the draw where random computerisation will select an option. Therefore, this simple micro-interaction can enhance the experience of group planning by adding a playful element – that is, an impartial moderator – to avoid potential conflicts.
The app design created includes many functions such as:
- Splitting bills – money pooling when booking accommodation etc.
- Ability to assign people tasks and remind/ notify users (ability to organise who does what/ who brings what)
- Group chat feature (chat, call)
- Notice board – being able to “pin” key messages that otherwise get lost in the long flow of chat messages
- Lucky draw feature
- General scheduling via calendar
- Activity finder game
Moreover, the app utilises rounded shapes and wave-like shapes, customization, a variety of colours, informal typography and animation for a playful interface design. Thus, the design concept is to enhance and enrich the experience of group interactions to encompass a playful and collaborative experience via an app. Furthermore, aiming to continuously explore the possibilities of UX/UI design in transforming group planning from being notoriously a daunting messy process, to an easy experience that fosters excitement instead of conflict.
