Challenge
3 days to design a solution to a problem my partner had
Class Project: I was tasked with creating a paper prototype solution in 3 days to solve any problem my partner had.
Solution
MorParking for affordable motorcycle parking with monthly options
My partner was unsure where to find affordable motorcycle parking, especially places with monthly rates. I created a mobile app prototype called MorParking that helps my partner find affordable motorcycle parking with monthly rates.
The app allows him to see daily, monthly, and street rates and filter search results based on price and location or distance.
Process
OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS TO GET THE BALL ROLLING
I asked my partner a number of open-ended question to learn what annoyed him most throughout his day, why this annoyance was such a problem and what would make his life easier.
Some of my notes during the initial user interview
Mobile app that would alleviate a major problem right now
I wanted to design a mobile app that would alleviate a major problem for him right now. He mentioned that his life would be easier if he knew the available city monthly motorcycle parking rates so parking could be more affordable to him so I decided to solve for this problem.
most competitive app did not solve his problem
Only 1 of the 10 apps I found through research, CurbNinja, most closely resembled what my partner was looking for. CurbNinja, however, only had street parking spots based on the community of users that found them so if no one found a public motorcycle parking spot that existed and contribute it via the app, that spot would not show in the app.
INTEGRATED INTUITIVE FEATURES INTO MY FIRST SKETCH
I integrated all the features I found most intuitive and helpful to solving his problem from the apps I found into the initial rough sketch of the app. These features included a clear map with filtering options and different rate options.
Iterations over and over again
I iterated numerous times before the user was happy with the final iteration. From the first sketch to the final one, I made a number of changes based on his feedback for clarity and his desired content on the app. These changes included updates to the navigation bar, details page, icons, parking rate options and maps.
FEedback from others, Still final check with partner
8 people had different feedback for this app. I incorporated the feedback that most aligned with what my partner wanted to the prototype, and he was happy to see the updated sketches. I did my final sketch on iPhone templates.
Results and Reflections
"I LOVE THE APP"
When I presented the final paper prototype of the app to my partner, he loved the app. He was so happy to see the final sketched wireframes drawn to scale and wished he really had the app.
Keeping my partner in the loop paid off
What helped me succeed in solving my partner’s problem and gaining his total satisfaction with the final paper prototype was that I kept my partner’s needs and desires in mind and execution throughout the whole process, after each sketch and iteration. I only incorporated feedback from other people into the design if my partner liked it too.
storyboard showed my partner I understood his story
Another aspect that added to my success was my incorporation of the storyboard into my storytelling when I presented my solution to my partner. I used each “window” of the storyboard as its own slide in the presentation to my partner so he could see how well I understood the problem I was trying to solve.
Keeping things simple
I kept things simple and did a really good job at solving the initial problem before adding extra features. Keeping things simple allowed me to solve a basic need my partner had and communicate the solution in a way to him that he understood.