Overview
Betterpiks empowers users to share niche-specific, high-quality designs on social media without the cost of hiring expensive designers. Offering a variety of affordable design options, it simplifies the creation and posting of custom content for targeted audiences.
Role
Sole UX/UI Designer
Timeline
3 Months (Jan 2023 - Mar 2023)
Tools
Figma, Miro, Photoshop, Illustrator, Spreadsheet, Paper & Pencil
Challenge
Creating social media designs requires choosing between hiring a graphic designer (Option A) or using an app with pre-made templates (Option B). Each approach has its drawbacks:
Option A: Hiring a Graphic Designer
1. High costs for professional services.
2. Limited to one or two design options.
3. Risk of delayed delivery.
Option B: Using a Pre-Made Design App
1. Lack of unique, niche-specific designs.
2. Basic or generic design quality.
3. Confusing user interface and navigation.
4. Poor offboarding experience.
Goal
My goal is to design an Android app where users can download free and premium social media post templates. The user flow should be simple and intuitive, ensuring a seamless experience. Users must be able to easily cancel their paid subscriptions without hassle.
Design Process
User Research
I conducted a user survey to validate identified problems and gain insights, sharing a concise 9-question survey across online communities and via WhatsApp with targeted users, receiving 12 responses. I also conducted interviews and created empathy maps to understand user needs. From these findings, I initially crafted four user personas (Graphic Designer, Social Media Manager, Politician, Business Owner) but consolidated them into two due to overlapping needs. My research confirmed key pain points, refined the problem statement, and informed potential solutions.
User Journey & Flow
To complement the personas, I developed user journey maps and user flows for the app’s core functions and onboarding process. This helped me understand how users would navigate tasks and identify their needs to complete them effectively.
Wireframing
I began by sketching low-fidelity wireframes on paper, favoring this approach for its speed in generating diverse concepts and ideas, ensuring they addressed user pain points effectively. Transitioning to Figma, I created high-fidelity digital wireframes, iterating continuously throughout the design process to enhance the app’s functionality and user experience.
Testing
Usability Testing
I prepared for usability testing by creating a test plan and script to ensure a smooth experience for participants. Through moderated remote usability tests, I gained valuable insights into areas where my prototype needed improvement.
The test covered five scenarios:
1. Launch the app and share a Janmashtami post.
2. Create a new business profile for “Phoenix Sports Arena” to share a post.
3. Upgrade from the free to PRO plan.
4. Purchase the PRO plan.
5. Cancel the PRO subscription after use.
Key Findings:
1. Intuitive Design: 100% of participants found the app intuitive and easy to use.
2. Mini Tab Issues: 30% noted that mini tabs (Trending, Upcoming, All Designs) lacked visibility or focus.
3. Cancellation Challenges: 80% struggled to locate the screen for changing or canceling their plan.
Refined Designs
Based on usability testing insights, I iterated on my design to address key issues: I improved the visibility of mini tabs (Trending, Upcoming, All Designs) for better navigation and streamlined the plan cancellation process, ensuring users could easily locate and manage their subscriptions.
Accessibility Considerations
To ensure inclusivity, I incorporated the following accessibility features into my designs:
1. Color Contrast: Used high-contrast color schemes to improve readability for visually impaired users.
2. Text Size and Scaling: Implemented adjustable text sizes to support users with low vision.
3. Screen Reader Compatibility: Ensured all UI elements are labeled for seamless screen reader navigation.
4. Keyboard Navigation: Added full keyboard support for users with motor impairments.
5. Clear Visual Hierarchy: Designed intuitive layouts to assist users with cognitive disabilities.
Results
After implementing the refinements and accessibility features, I finalized the app’s design with updated screens and mockups. These final designs showcase an intuitive, user-friendly interface that addresses user pain points, enhances navigation, and ensures inclusivity for all users.
