Design Sprint
PostUp
What is PostUp?
Client
The PostUp company is a start-up that wants to make it easier for freelancers and remote workers to find great coffee shops and public spaces to work and study from. They want to share tips, resources, and advice with their users and encourage co-working.
Start-up company scenario
My Role
Team
Conduct Secondary User Research
Crazy 8 Sketches
15 Section Storyboard
Create a High-Fidelity Prototype
Conduct Usability Interviews
This was an independent project.
Tools
Figma
Miro
Canva
Timeline
5 days
Day1
User Research
The First day was about understanding the problem, and context with the help of data provided with the project brief.
Goal: Make a map and choose a target
Important points to consider
Observations were made from the provided research data as videos:
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Needs to be on mobile app
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Needs to work w/o wifi
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Client wants to charge a monthly fee to users in exchange for access to PostUp information
User Needs
People who use the app need:
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to get work done
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take a phone call in quiet spaces
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background sound cancellation
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quick meetings with clients and coworkers
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Free wi-fi
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Bathrooms
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Outlets
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Food and coffee
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Not too loud
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Known to have people go and work there
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Want to view how close the tables are
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Want to view the busy hours of the place
Insights from User Interviews
Top pointers from 5 interviews available:
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Libraries (can’t talk on the phone) ❌
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Coffee shops (freedom of talking and eating) ✅
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Map (distance is important, users prefer places that are close by) ✅
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Looks at photos (space, layout, how close tables are to each other) ✅
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Looks at open and closing times (to go during times that are open and not close to closing times) ✅
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Looks at busy times (want to chose times that are not too busy and loud) ✅
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Doesn’t matter how long it takes to order food (food is just a convenience) ✅
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Need reviews for working environments for cafe (reviews show how the quality of the place and its trust worthiness) ✅
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Need information easy to access and not dig through information ✅
User Journey Map
The User works from a computer, looking for a place to get their work done:
Conclusion
Making sense of the data, the problem was understood well, problem needs and limitations were addressed, what was required from the client was discussed, and ideation was used to solve the problem.
Day 2
Sketch Competing Solutions
Solution Sketches
Lightning Demos Screenshots
Coffee Shop Finders Competitor
The following is a list of companies observed for their UI regarding different function availabilities for their users:
Yelp: Search engine, Rating, Filter options (suggested/category), Map
Yelp: Open and Closing Times, Address, Telephone number
→ Yelp: Reviews of customers, photos of places, layout of tables
→ Netflix: Choosing a subscription plan
Netflix: Lists of Different subscription options
Crazy 8 Sketches
Selected 3 most important screens for sketching
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Choose a plan - Subscription (Basic Plan, Premium Plan)
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New Card
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Shopping Cart (Basic Plan, Premium Plan)
The user will complete the primary activity at step— (Choose a plan - subscription)
The screen most important for solving the problem: Subscription (This is how the money will be made)
The screen that is the most complex: Card payment (Needs to check payment validation)
Critical Screen Sketch: Shopping Cart (payment is confirmed as a result)
Conclusion
1. Screen before critical screen
→ Choose a plan (Choose payment type)
2. Critical screen
→ New Card (Payment method)
3. Screen after critical screen
→ Shopping Cart (Payment completed)
Day 3
Decide on the Best
I decided to proceed with my solution sketch
(Sign-Up Screen → Subscription Screen → Home Screen)
because it allows the user to get to the main task (subscribing) in a straightforward manner. The user would simply sign up and be presented with the basic or premium subscription plans to choose from before proceeding to the homepage and finding a place to work. This ensures the user has to make a payment decision to be able to access the resources within the app.
15-section storyboard
Conclusion
The process user is to open the app and continue through the onboarding process until the user signs up. Once the user signs up, they are directed to a screen that depicts a basic and premium plan. Once the user has paid for their plan, they are directed to the home page where they can browse nearby places to study. Once the user finds a place to study, they are directed to a map and directions they can follow to reach their destination. Other features include saving the user’s most liked places in the favorites section and a community feature for subscribers to connect with nearby people who want to get their work done.
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Day 4
Build a realistic high-fidelity prototype
Figma Design Link:
Conclusion
A total of 22 high-fidelity mobile screens and a prototype were created. These screens include splash screens, onboarding, sign-up, monthly plan (basic, premium), payment method, shopping cart, subscription confirmation, home page, favorites, map, directions, and community.
Day 5
Test with target customers
Interview Summary of Each Day:
Interview Number 1:
Navigation Feedback: Home page layout praised for being user-friendly.
Feature Appreciation: Map feature liked for accuracy; community section valued for personal touch.
Improvement Suggestions: Clearer directions for pedestrian navigation recommended.
Interview Number 2:
Feature Usages: Favorites feature found useful for saving spots.
Map and Directions: Map appreciated for accuracy and offline functionality.
Community Section: Suggested more active discussions and exclusive deals/events.
Interview Number 3:
User Interface Feedback: Home page simplicity and easy navigation appreciated.
Feature Liked: Busy hours feature deemed helpful for planning visits.
Improvement Points: Detailed information on bathroom availability and parking options suggested.
Summary Findings from Usability Tests
These summary insights from the 5 user interviews provide valuable guidance for refining the PostUp app prototype to better meet the needs of its target audience of freelancers and remote workers seeking productive work environments. 4 out of 5 users were able to perform all the tasks without any help or prompting.
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Positive Feedback: Users appreciate the simplicity and intuitive design of the home page and navigation.
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Negative Feedback: Directions in the map feature could be clearer, and there's a desire for more detailed information on specific amenities like bathrooms and parking.
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Favorites Feature: Generally well-received for its ease of use, but users suggested adding more customization options such as categorization or tagging.
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Community Section: Seen as a valuable addition for sharing tips and reviews, but some users noted the need for more active and updated content.
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Specific Feature Requests: Users expressed interest in more personalized recommendations and improvements in detailed information for better planning (e.g., busy hours, table layout).
Conclusion
Learning: Navigation Feedback: The home page layout was praised for being user-friendly.
Feature Appreciation: Map feature liked for accuracy; community section valued for personal touch. Improvement Suggestions: Clear directions for pedestrian navigation are recommended.
Changes made to the high-fidelity design and prototype include:
Choose a Plan Screen: A green outline was added to the selected plan type to emphasize a positive action the user is making when deciding which plan to use. The green outline also allows the feature to be prominent in the design.
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