MeU
UIUX Design Fullstack Development
Group Project
Role: UIUX Designer, Fullstack Developer
Tool: React-Native, Redux, RestAPI’s and mongoDB, Figma
Timeline: 3 weeks (May 2023 - June 2023)
Project Overview
An innovative digital solution to enhance the connections between partners navigating the challenges of long-distance relationships. My role encompassed a range of responsibilities, spanning from conducting UX research and crafting UI designs to executing front-end development using React-Native and Redux, as well as implementing back-end solutions with MongoDB.Design Project
“ How might we enhance spontaneous interactions
for long-distance couples? “
"This is amazing and truly unique. I have recently been in a long-distance relationship, and I would definitely like to use this app!" - Interviewee from UserTesting.com“"It is very interesting because it's different from existing couples apps. Even though I'm not in a long-distance relationship now, I would still love to use it!" - Participant using a demo
The Proposal
The Challenge
How might we enhance spontaneous interactions for long distance couples?
Key Object
MeU should empower users to have unique and effortless interactions with their partners, providing reassurance of love through three distinct main features: the Be-Real widget, daily check-in questions, and penguin emojis.
Solution
Streamlined and Effortless Interactions
Fun and Distinctive Private Experiences for Couples
Intuitively Designed User Interface
📍 Design Process
Research & Synthesis
Architecture & UX Design ceberg Canvas, Value Proposition Canvas
Branding & UI Design - Crazy 8 (initial Sketch), Grayscale, Low-fidelity, High-Fidelity, Style guide
Prototyping & User Testing
Research & Synthesis
MeU Began with empathy map, affinity Map, comparative analysis, and mood board.
Research Goal : To investigate the approximate size of the current long-distance couple market and explore the areas where existing couple apps fall short. Additionally, to identify the various challenges faced by long-distance couples and uncover their specific needs and preferences.
Key Finding : Through interviews, we discovered that more people than expected have experience with long-distance relationships, and they generally share similar challenges. Furthermore, through comparative analysis, we found that existing couple apps are not adequately addressing the issues faced by long-distance couples.
Interview Findings
I conducted interviews with participants between the ages of 25 and 30 who had experience with long-distance relationships or were currently in a relationship.
“When engaged in a long-distance relationship, the only means of communication available to us were texting and FaceTime, but over time, we grew weary of these mediums.” - Interviewee A
“I wish there were more convenient and quicker means of communication to stay in touch and reassure love” - Interviewee E
“I wish there were various means to have deeper and more genuine conversations. The longer we were in a long-distance relationship, the shallower our conversations felt.” - Interviewee K
Synthesis
Persona & User Journey Map & POV Statement
In the context of the romantic relationship, I created two personas with diametrically opposite characteristics and developed separate user journey maps for each. However, to maintain the objectivity of the research, I refrained from including photos, names, or gender identifiers. Through this process, I generated different points of view Statements(POVs).
Point of View Statement
“ An anxious overthinking long-distance relationship partner needs a supportive and interactive app that facilitates seamless communication and spontaneous interaction in order to alleviate anxiety and strengthen the emotional bond with their partner despite the physical distance. “
“ A busy professional in a long-distance relationship needs a convenient and efficient system that allows for easy sharing of photos and life updates in order to stay connected, feel involved in their partner's daily life, and maintain a sense of closeness and shared experiences.“
Architecture & UX Design
How Might We?
How might we help couples in long distance relationships increase easy, effortless, and spontaneous interactions, utilizing simple design?
How might we help individuals in long distance relationship grow as single individuals, while levaraging the emotional connection that their bond have to help them feel more delighted on a day-to-day basis?
How might we foster continuous and positive conversations that are truthful in long-distance relationships?
How might we make interactions in long-distance relationships easy, enjoyable, and non-demanding, allowing for ongoing emotional exchange?
Branding & UI Design
After conducting comprehensive research and analyzing design patterns that align with the information architecture, business objectives, and user requirements, we brainstormed potential solutions. We employed rapid group sketching, utilizing techniques like 'Crazy 8' to propel our thoughts and ideas forward, with a primary focus on addressing 'How Might We' questions within an iterative framework.
WireFrames & Grayscales
StyleGuide
Finalized Hi-Fedlity
Prototyping & User Testing
Summary of feedbacks from user testing
“I am absolutely sure it would help foster daily interactions”
“There are a lot of really good emotions that might be a better way of communicating rather than doing the silent treatment”
“The check-in questions are fun because they cause actual conversation on a daily basis, which is important for long distance”
Of the five tasks, all participants successfully and promptly completed the task flows. They were all notably impressed by the innovative concepts, visually striking design, and engaging animations.
Tech Project
MeU is an app service built on React Native and MongoDB, initiated in June 2023 and still ongoing to date. We have plans to deploy the app in September and intend to expand our services through additional funding. As a result, the project's repository is currently set to private. If you have any inquiries or are interested in the code-related aspects, please feel free to reach out.
