DallaSites101
Helping Dallas locals find the latest fun events near them.
- UX Design
- UX Research
Design Process
Although we kept to these steps in the design process, our timeline was way off due to the other designer getting sick amongst other things. We had to learn how to adjust and set realistic and actionable goals that we could stick to under those certain circumstances.
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1
Understand
We conducted a competitive analysis in order to figure out the current event app space
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2
Define
We defined the problem we were going tackle, for who, how they go through that problem then creating a value proposition
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3
Ideate
We created an affinity diagram, conducted a card sort then created a site map to figure out the organization of the app before sketching and wireframing
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4
Prototype
After reiterating through various designs we came to a final hi-fi prototype
1. Understand
Before providing a creating a solution for DS101, we needed to understand them as a business and their customer base.
Competitive Analysis
It was also important to study the existing market of websites, apps, and social media accounts that are in the “lifestyle” space. We looked at event apps like Eventbrite and Seat Geek, sources of peer-reviewed local businesses like Yelp, and other lifestyle websites like the Dallas Observer.
We noticed that a lot of these lifestyle websites or social media accounts always promoted events through other apps or sign up links on again other sites. This could be something we use to our advantage in providing a new line of revenue for DallaSites101.
2. Define
This was a major point of realization! After conducting the interviews and competitive analysis, I discovered that users had goals that were not being fulfilled by current grocery and recipe apps on the market.
The Problem
How can DallaSites101 further promote local businesses to the local people that they can earn revenue from?
Persona
Based on our study of the Dallasites101 site and Instagram page, we were able to see who the users were.
The user base consisted of individuals in their early adult lives to those who were a bit more settled but still had the energy and drive to explore. People who were new to Dallas
The Dallasites content also gave us some insight into who was consuming this information. Based on the large amount of content surrounding cuisine and restaurants, it was safe to say that some of the users would consider themselves adventurous foodies.
Customer Journey Map
3. Ideate
The ideation process was the most difficult when working remotely on a project for the first time. It was much harder to collaborate but we had to learn to do so through Figma and many Zoom calls.
Affinity Diagram
We started the ideation phase with an affinity diagram. This was to put out as many solutions to the problem as possible. From there, we grouped, labeled, and ranked the terms based on importance. The groups we ended up creating were then used to create a loose mental structure of the app that we would later solidify with a card sort.
Site Map
We wanted to map out a basic site map to make sure we were on the same page for our organization of the app when sketching. It also helped make sure we were focusing on the key components of the app and its capabilities.
Sketching
We went through several rounds of sketching individually, and after each round, we would talk about sketches and our reasons behind them. We then could take bits and pieces from the other’s design that we liked into our own. We eventually came together on a single sketch flow that would be made into our wireframe.
Wireframes
I created a low fidelity wireframe in Adobe XD and a clickable prototype to use for usability testing. These are some of the main screens.
4. Prototype
Once our wireframes are completed, we transformed those screens into what the user would actually see and interact with. We based our style on the branding of the DallaSites101 website to keep it consistent. We played with some variations and finalized our mockups.
Buying a Ticket
On the home screen, there are personalized events to the user based on their interests and location that can be seen by swiping through the carousel.
The local stories allow users to see what events are going currently going on and get a visual sense of what the event is like or give a greater sense that more people are going to the event. This could be another way for businesses to advertise and promote their events to DS101’s users.
Users can clearly see the great discounts they are getting based on the percentage decrease and the original cost of the tickets.
(Ideally, the users’ interests would be selected in the sign-up process but due to the scope of the project, we did get to this process. That is something we hope to add to the project soon).
Exploring New Events
Find new events is made easy with categorized events for the user to see that involved what is trending in their area. Searching gives you options based on other users recently searched. You can then observe the results in the list form or map form to give a more spatial view of what events are going on around you.
Sharing is made easy by a quick tap that would further generate revenue for the local business and DS101 but also spread the DS101 brand and app.
Future Scope
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Allow users to interact with each other through the app
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Connect to social media accounts
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Include perks for paid subscriptions
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Review events and businesses
What I Learned
This was my first project I did completely remote. The other designer and I used FaceTime to communicate and Figma to work collaboratively and interviews through an online source was all new for me. It was kind of difficult sharing our thoughts and sketches not being in the same room which improved my communication skills in a new way.
What I learned most from the remote experience was definitely how to create a realistic schedule, sticking to it and what to do when it doesn’t go as planned. Our initial schedule was great for the first week or 2 while we conducted research and created our persona and journey maps; however, as the work moved into more of the UI and creating the wireframes and prototypes we fell behind schedule. This was because the work took longer than expected and one week the other designer was sick. As Don Norman says “A project is behind schedule and over its budget the day it is started”. So when we created an updated schedule we but in extra days for certain work to be on the safe side.