Mobile Application Prototypes
Safely
Goal:
The goal of this project was to design a mobile app and wearable device that ensures that individuals feel comfortable protecting themselves in situations that require quick thinking and discretion.
Process:
Designed a new mobile application and paired wearable device, Safely, from sketches to interactive prototypes.
Role
UX Designer
Methods
Field Interviews, SWOT Analysis, Literature Review, Journey Mapping
Tools
Sketches, UXPin
Overview
When one finds themselves walking alone at night or needing an excuse to leave a date early, oftentimes they feel heightened stress, fear, and anxiety as well as an immediate desire to remove themselves from the situation. With personal safety at risk, there is limited time and ability to act.
Safely's mobile application and paired wearable device provide individuals a subtle way to send an SOS to friends and family. This personal safety application offers features such as location sharing, customized messaging, emergency calling to 911, and the ability to record one’s surroundings through video and audio. Ultimately, Safely’s goal is to ensure that all users feel comfortable protecting themselves in situations that require quick thinking and discretion.
My Role
My role during this individual project was as a UX Designer.
I was involved with each stage of the process, which included:
-
Field interviews
-
SWOT analysis
-
Literature review
-
Persona creation
-
Journey Mapping
-
Sketching and wireframing
-
Prototyping
The Process
Field Interviews
To determine the features to include in the prototype of Safely, interviews with target users were conducted.
SWOT Analysis
In addition to the field interviews, I conducted a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) of other competitors in the personal safety space.
Literature Review
To better understand the challenges of personal safety with my target demographic (individuals ages 18-35), I conducted a literature review.
Personas
In alignment with the selected domain for Safely’s mobile application and wearable device, I created the user persona of “Hannah Smith”, a young professional living in New York City.
Journey Mapping
Once Hannah Smith's persona was developed, I created a journey map which mapped her experience of going on a first date with a stranger. The journey map highlights her cognitive load at each stage of her date, as well as what tasks she would complete throughout the night.
Sketching
After developing my persona and journey map, I iteratively sketched out ideas and created a vision for the mobile application and wearable design.
Wireframing
With the sketches finalized, I designed a medium-fidelity wireframe in UXPin as well as on paper for the wearable component.
Final Prototype Design
After many iterations of sketching and wireframing, I designed a high-fidelity clickable prototype in UXPin.
The Design
The below design shows examples of mobile screens, from sketching to the final prototype in UXPin.
Some primary areas of focus:
-
A user onboarding process which brings users through profile creation, mobile application and wearable pairing, and location setting.
-
A variety of looks for the wearable device.
-
The location sharing feature which allows users to send customized messages with their real-time location to emergency contacts.
1. Mobile Application and Wearable Pairing
2. Wearable Device
3. Location Sharing Feature
Limitations and Challenges
Throughout the project, limitations and challenges arose, such as:
-
Having no access to a physical wearable with functional components for design and testing.
-
Time constraints which limited the ability to conduct additional design iterations, field interviews and usability testing
Results and Reflection
Through the final design of the Safely's mobile application and wearable device, I was able to develop a solution for increased personal safety for individuals in emergency situations. By providing users simple onboarding, quick access to foundational features, and a wearable device that seamlessly syncs to their mobile application, individuals can now have an experience that allows them to feel comfortable and protected in times of need.
To continue this project, some next steps would include:
-
Continuing to evolve the design of the prototype based on additional user feedback through usability testing.
-
Develop a project plan to continue the creation of the Safely mobile application and wearable device.