WAVES
End-to-End Meditation App
Role: UX/UI Designer
Duration: 8 weeks
Background
Numerous digital platforms offer access to meditation practices, including guided videos, music, and various methods. However, many of these platforms lack easy accessibility, variety, and free options.
Problem
Popular websites like Calm, Headspace, and Gaia offer a plethora of beautifully crafted meditation practices and videos. However, they typically operate on a subscription-based model, making them quite expensive for many users. Additionally, some users find that navigating these platforms can be time-consuming, hindering their ability to quickly access the content they desire.
Project Research
Research Goal
Understanding the motivations behind utilizing online meditation practices and the frequency of their usage is crucial for optimizing their effectiveness.
Research Objectives
Determine what type of free or paid meditation practices users prefer.
Understand how subscribing (donation-based) or paid membership fits into their daily life.
Understand if by offering a free meditation practice app will motivate people to have a daily practice compared to a paid subscription-based app.
Learn how users are currently meditating and with which type of app, if they use one.
Methodologies
User interviews
The approach involved conducting interviews with four distinct individuals to gather qualitative data on their experiences and perspectives regarding the service. These interviews will yield valuable insights into various user demographics and their unique motivations, preferences, and expectations regarding the service
Competitive Analysis
Performing a competitive analysis involved gathering and analyzing data from various sources to understand what competing platforms offer in terms of features, pricing, user experience, and customer satisfaction. By comparing this data with insights gathered from user interviews and other sources, we can identify opportunities for differentiation and improvement in our own service.
Define
User Personas
Based on the research conducted, two distinct user personas have emerged: the "Busy and Tech-Savvy" individual and the "Not-So-Busy and Not-So-Tech-Savvy" individual. These personas represent different segments of the target audience and provide valuable insights into their needs, preferences, and behaviors when it comes to utilizing the meditation service. Understanding these personas will help tailor the service to better meet the diverse needs of our users.
POV’s Statements
I would like to explore ways to help facilitate busy people that have only a few minutes a day free to meditate with an easy access app that offers any guided meditation practices.
I would like to explore how to have a way to share timely meditation practices for busy people, so that they can schedule their routine and help them take advantage of their free time.
I would like to explore how to help people find a daily routine to meditation practices and help them get motivated so that they can increase their healthy lifestyle choices.
I would like to explore and to find a way to help people meditate with different types of recorded meditation practices to offer them a variety of choices and not quit easily.
How Might We Questions
How might we facilitate easy access to meditation practices so busy app users can get to the practice in few steps?
How might we share a timed meditation practice so that app users can keep track on how long are they meditating for each time?
How might we motivate people to have a daily meditation routine so that users can set up their meditation goals?
How might we offer different types of meditation practices so that we can help users perform daily.
Ideation
Final Project Goals
This project will be focus mainly on the common goals:
Easy Access
Free Options
Variety
Sitemap
To make the three common goals of this project a reality, I started creating a sitemap, user flows and task flows to help understand users’ needs.
User Flow
Sign Up to meditation Website. One task two options.
Task Flows
Two task flows were created to see what future ideas
could be tested later.
Sign up task flow.
Choose a 10 min meditation task flow.
UI Library
I've developed a UI kit inspired by the serene essence of a meditation app, aptly named 'Waves.' This kit includes a color palette, logo design, icons, CTA buttons, as well as font typefaces and sizes.
Low Fidelity Wireframes
Two task flows were prototyped for the usability test: the sign-up task flow and the 10-minute meditation selection task flow
Log In Task Flow
Choosing a 10 min Meditation Practice Task Flow
Prototype and Test
All participants successfully completed both task flows without encountering significant issues; however, some minor iterations were required to refine the user experience and ensure seamless navigation through the process.
Iterations for the final prototype:
Create account/Log in:
Added a first screenshot with different options on how to create an account.
Choose a 10 minutes meditation practice:
Showed different meditation timings to show the user they are on the all times’ page.
Showed only 10 minutes meditation practices on the 10 min page.
Moved up the go back and finish buttons to avoid the scroll down.
Click the buttons below to experience the final prototype
Usability Test Results
Two task flows were administered during the usability test to gauge how effectively users navigated each one. A total of five users were interviewed to gain insights into their experience and comprehension while following each task flow.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the development of a meditation app aimed at facilitating daily practices for practitioners and providing a diverse range of free meditations represents a significant and impactful endeavor. The app's core objectives—to support users in their meditation journey and offer a broad selection of meditation practices at no cost—address a growing need for accessible and varied mindfulness resources.
Key Achievements:
Enhanced Accessibility: By offering a range of free meditations, the app democratizes access to mindfulness resources, making it easier for users from various backgrounds and financial situations to integrate meditation into their daily lives.
Diverse Meditation Practices: The inclusion of a wide variety of meditation styles—such as guided, mantra, mindfulness, and body scan—ensures that users can explore and find practices that best suit their individual needs and preferences.
User-Friendly Interface: The app's design prioritizes ease of use, with intuitive navigation and features that facilitate a seamless meditation experience. This user-centric approach helps users stay engaged and committed to their meditation practice.
Personalization and Progress Tracking: Features such as personalized recommendations, progress tracking, and reminders support users in establishing and maintaining a consistent meditation routine, enhancing the overall effectiveness of their practice.
Future Considerations:
Content Expansion: Continuously expanding the meditation library with new content, including various lengths and styles, will keep the app dynamic and engaging for users at different stages of their meditation journey.
Community Features: Introducing social or community elements, such as group meditations or user forums, could foster a sense of connection and support among practitioners, enhancing the overall user experience.
Feedback and Improvement: Regularly gathering user feedback and analyzing usage data will be crucial for ongoing improvement. Implementing updates based on user insights will help in refining features and addressing any emerging needs or challenges.
Integration with Other Wellness Tools: Exploring integration with other wellness or health apps could provide a more holistic approach to user well-being, offering a comprehensive solution for mental and physical health.
Overall, the meditation app stands to make a meaningful contribution to the well-being of its users by making meditation more accessible, varied, and engaging. With ongoing refinement and user-focused enhancements, it has the potential to become a valuable resource for practitioners seeking to enrich their daily mindfulness practices.
