Ishqr App Beta Usability Testing and Visual Design
Ishqr is an online dating site and iOS app for millennial Muslims. I conducted usability testing and provided design suggestions prior to the release of the iOS app. Related projects include making the promotional video for the release of the iOS app. Check out the video below:
USABILITY TESTING , INTERACTION DESIGN, VISUAL DESIGN
JUNE 2015 - AUGUST 2015
TOOLS: NIELSEN'S HEURISTICS & ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS, ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR
Process
I ran a focus group with 20 stakeholders, who in this case were millennial Muslims. About half of the stakeholders were working with us in the initial design of the application, and the other half where newcomers. In addition to this, I also used the application on a daily basis and noted my interactions with it.
I had these stakeholders follow these prompts:
Open the app, navigate to any user’s profile, and send them a message.
Navigate to your connections, and send a message to a connection.
Find a user in your city and send them a message
Note: If any any time during this you are stuck or need help, navigate to the Help/FAQ for assistance.
Top Heuristic Issues
Visibility of System Status
Problem: "When I get to the homepage [dashboard], I don't know what I'm supposed to do" - Maryam
Solution: Upon reaching the dashboard for the first time, the user should be presented with a message or short tutorial explaining the different functions of the dashboard.
Snippet of an example tutorial that can be used to explain the function of the dashboard.
User control and freedom
Problem: "No clear way to go back home [dashboard], there's a bar button if I visit a profile, otherwise I have to use the sidebar" - Ahmed
Solution: Turn the two step process into a one step process. Include a tab bar along the bottom that enables one touch access to most commonly used areas, including dashboard.
Close up of Tab Bar along the bottom, with quick access to main areas of application.
Recognition rather than recall
Problem: "I can't tell how close someone is just by looking at their card, I have to open their profile and scroll down to see their location" - Susan
Solution: Given the plenty of space on the user cards, place a label in the top right of the card that indicates the user's location.
Close up of location label, in the top right of the user's card.
Production
These design recommendations were then passed on to developers, with the Tab Bar being of high interest to the team, I created a spec'd version of that design to help them develop the Tab Bar that will be pushed in a future update. Other usability issues were to be addressed at a later time.