Apprentice

Before embarking on the project, I created a research plan which helped me identify UX research goals, define research methodologies, and create a timeline for completing the project in the assigned 80 hours.

Methodologies:

I. Direct Competitor Analysis

With the help of my mentor, I discovered and analyzed two apps out there with a nearly similar idea to my own - Jumprope and Tangi (Tangi is actually an app by Google). Both apps had strengths and weaknesses, but Jumprope seemed to have the upper hand in terms of UX with its clear categorization and ability to allow users to directly create and edit videos through the app. It lacked, however, social media direction - which I intended to address in the design of my own app.

III. User Interviews

User interviews were conducted with the following goals in mind:

• Determine how users currently learn new skills

• Identify the different reasons for learning new skills

• Identify issues/pain points/situations that users have encountered when learning new skills

• Uncover users' knowledge on short-form videos

• Determine how often short-form videos are watched by the users

• Identify issues/pain points/situations that users have encountered when watching short-form videos

• Explore users' preferences of different forms of social media

Results

Many users performed a mixture of reading and watching videos when learning new skills. However, even users with specific preferences switch to the other medium when faced with a challenge.

“If a video moves too fast or is too confusing, I’ll switch to reading instead”

Thus, for learning new skills, both videos and instructions in full should be provided to accommodate users of all learning abilities.

All users found short-form videos to be fun, helpful, and entertaining.
However, many found that sometimes they move too quickly and make it seem too easy.

“I don’t like it when videos make things look too easy or quick when it’s actually not at all”

“So many times those [DIY] videos say they’re using everyday tools but end up using supplies that no one actually has lying around”

Having creators list the required tools, directions, and time estimate for a project (similar to recipes found online) may be helpful to users.

Users listed many different types of skills they were interested in learning
Categorization, therefore, presented itself as an important feature for the app.

When asked for their thoughts on a social media app dedicated to short-form video tutorials, all users said they would be happy to use such an app.

Features & Priorities

Once I understood my users’ preferences and pain points when using social media apps and watching short-form videos, I created a Feature Roadmap for the app. By using the Impact / Effort Matrix, I created a list of features ranging from Must Have (P1) to Can Come Later (P4).

I managed to include all the P1s, such as homepage, explore page, personal profile, and video recorder / video editor. I also managed to include a user gallery (P2) of the how-to attempts as well as placing option to link to shops.

Due to time constraints and sheer bulk of the project, I was not able to create onboarding screens at log-in nor progressive app onboarding, which I believe would have been a great addition to the app.

Recording, Editing & Posting: Task Flow

The most crucial flow of the app was how users would interact with the app when recording, editing, and posting a video - based on my research, I created a simple task flow illustrating the general flow before starting on wireframe sketches.

03. Ideate

Sketches & Wireframes

 05. Testing and Iteration

I had a total of 5 users test the prototype, with the following test goals:

• Users can successfully navigate the app after logging in

• Users can successfully create a video with steps

• Users can successfully edit and post a video

• Users have an enjoyable experience using the app

  
  
  
  

Usability Testing Results

Usability Testing was incredibly insightful from all standpoints - successes, pain points, and even useful suggestions.

Problem 1: Confusion about the purpose and function of opening / closing clip when editing video for posting

“I’m not really sure what the opening and closing clips are supposed to do”

Solution: Create a pathway on the prototype clarifying the creation of an opening clip

Problem 2: When creating a step for the video, users clicked ‘save step’ right away without typing in step (without fully completing task)

I’m not sure why my mind just went straight to clicking there [save step] even though I wasn’t finished”

Solution: Disable the link by dimming the color of the link to a grey until users correctly type step

Problem 3: GIFs on homepage are disorienting and moving too fast

“Wow! Everything’s moving so fast. I’m getting a bit dizzy”

Solution: This could possibly be due to GIFs inaccurately representing videos in the prototype. Possible solutions include replacing the GIF’s with still images or to keep the GIF’s as they are and inform participants / stakeholders that this will not be the case for the actual app, where videos will actually be played one at a time.

Three of the five users actually said that by the end of the prototype, they actually became used to the moving images. So this also may possibly be due to users not being accustomed to the movements at first glance. Given more time, the best solution would be to test all scenarios through further user testing and uncover the true problem.

Problem 4: Tools & Instructions button seemed misplaced / hard to find on video view

“That button [tools and instructions] looks a little weird there… I feel like it would block important parts of videos”

Solution: Moving the button to the bottom and rearranging video view page to better suit the user’s needs

Design Changes

Apart from adding more pathways in the prototype to create a better user experience, changes were also made to the UI to help with the overall UX.

Click below to play around with the final prototype!

1. Log In using email address and password

2. Explore ‘Perfectly Pink Makeup Look’ video’s comments, suggestions, and questions

3. View Homepage (For You + Following), Explore page, and Me (profile) page

4. Create a video through the ‘plus’ icon at the bottom navigation and create a step for this video.

5. Edit and post video to app