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Competitive Analysis
To start off our research we conducted competitive analysis, we analyzed four applications in the wellness and lifestyle spaces to better understand the current state of well-being technology. This competitive analysis worked to help us identify areas current technology could be improved to better help users, and highlighted features that are useful and would be good to incorporate into our future designs.
The Nudge
The Nudge
The Nudge suggests local activities for users. This inspired our addition of personalized suggestions.
Finch
Finch
This self-care app gave us insight into gamified habit tracking.
Headspace
Headspace
This mindfulness and meditation app promotes healthy well-being.
Apple Watch
Apple Watch
The activity tracking "move rings" on the Apple Watch interface inspired early iterations of goal tracking.
Areas for Improvement
Confusing navigation creates feature barriers that limit utility of the app.
Apps often make assumptions about user’s abilities and capital, making it less accessible to a diverse range of users
Apps appear less credible if it is unclear that they are backed up by true research.
Effective Design Insights
Simplistic and intuitive design; specifically closing rings to track completion of activities
Strong attention to accessibility in some of the apps, definitely wanting to stay true to this
Customizable for users, makes the experience more personable
User Interviews
Our team conducted a total of four interviews with a range of participants. The duration of the interviews ranged from 20-40 minutes. Participants were recruited holistically through personal connections. We sought out UW students ages 18-21 with a range of majors, experiences, attitudes, and an interest in goal setting. These interviews gave us a detailed understanding of our target users and we used it to craft personas, and journey maps later in the process that were informed by real UW students, and potential users.
Interview #1 (RP)
Year in school: 3rd
Major: Electrical Engineering.
Activities: Works in a research lab, Indian dance team, UW Solar Vehicle club.
Goals: Do well in school and still find time to go to the gym, hang out with friends, and journal by himself.
Interview #2 (SG)
Year in school: 3rd
Major: Communications
Activities: Member of Panhellenic sorority, nanny, writes for a literary arts journal on campus.
Goals: Make the most of her time in college while maintaining a spot on the Dean's List.
Interview #3 (CC)
Year in school: 4th
Major: Public Health with a minor in Informatics.
Activities: Very organized and efficient student, president of Panhellenic, involved in a sorority.
Goals: Go on more hikes and learn crafts.
Interview #4 (O)
Year in school: 3rd
Major: Attempting to get into CS
Activities: Commutes to campus from Federal Way, interested in coding and violin.
Goals: Get into his major and exercise more.
Research Findings
Research Findings
High Academic Motivation
UW students are highly academically motivated due to internal pressure to succeed.
Often participants would prioritize academics over personal well-being in order to meet academic goals.
One participant (SG) stated that she puts more effort into academic goals because they are more rigid than others.
Another (CC) said they put 75% into academics and 25% into social and ideal goals.
Flexibility with Physical and Mental Well-being
Participants expressed a desire to take care of their physical and mental health, but need to have flexibility with those goals.
One participant (RP) stated it is a big challenge to manage their time and they try their best to create time chunks for themself.
Another (O) stated that academic goals sometimes cause them to neglect health goals.
Need For Stronger Well-Being Technology
Most participants felt a lack of technological support in terms of goal setting, well-being, and mental health practices.
Some participants utilize Google Calendar (SG, CC) and others use mental goal setting (O, RP).
One participant (RP) requests a tool that can streamline goal tracking and encourage a better balance between socializing and personal goals through time blocking.
Another (O) stated that when they feel demotivated, current apps do not necessarily help.
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