Team: Binru Liu & Yitong Han
Up to now, our APP prototype has achieved the basic functionality. Our next task was to improve the user experience of the APP. We decided to improve the APP prototype in both functional design and visual design. In the process of iterating on the APP, we read a lot of literature and wrote a literature review.
Functionality design
We made a few changes to the functionality of the homepage. When users have made their travel plans, they can see information about their next destination on the homepage, such as the weather and local time. In addition, users can see their next travel information, which includes the mode of transport, time and departure location. The homepage also shows travel tips and interesting stories about the destination and this information makes users more excited about their upcoming trip.
Visual design
In the new APP prototype, blue and white are the main colours of the APP. The purpose of changing the colours is reducing the impact of too many colours on users. Multiple colours should not be present in an APP at the same time. It makes the interfaces look disorganized. In comparison to the old interfaces, the new interfaces benefit users to get information quickly.
Age-friendly design
Although many younger users like our new interfaces, some older users have made several comments. Firstly, they think that the font size in the APP is still too small to read. Secondly, they would like the APP to have a voice conversation function. Thirdly, they wanted us to optimise the buttons and the operating style within the APP because they sometimes could not do the gestures accurately.
During our work to modify the interfaces, we actively communicated with the users and used a co-design methodology. Finally, we designed interfaces which satisfied all the target users.
Considering that older users suffer from reduced vision, reduced colour perception and reduced dynamic vision due to ageing, we have redesigned the interfaces. First, the font size was increased, which is the most effective means of age-friendly design. The second change was to change the APP’s theme colours to orange and yellow. Researches show that older people prefer warm and bright colours and want to feel energetic rather than old. Designers should use more warm colours and less purple and cyan when designing for older users.
We have added voice chat to the chat function. When users are making travel plans, they can discuss with their companions through voice chat. Voice chat is a great way to improve the efficiency of communication. Users with visual disabilities can also participate in discussions and give their ideas through voice.
Users need to use mobile APPs through gesture interaction. However, older people are slower to move than younger people and their range or speed of movement decreases. In order to solve these problems, we have increased the touch area of the APP. It allows older users to drag themselves to the puzzle and paddle interface easier.
Reflection
In the process of iteration, we found that users of different ages often have different needs. For older users, the physical experience is more important to them. A fashionable interface design is not the most important thing to them. Next, we will make the final changes to the APP prototype and run a final user testing.
