UX- User Experience

In order to enhance the experience of this application it is important to make the website as simple as possible. The target audience of “The Story of Us” is set between 16  and above. Due to the current demographics it is expected that the majority of the app will be used by middle-aged and elderly people.

1. Therefore, simplicity and speed are key factors. As nobody likes to sit around waiting for a navigation bar to load. The landing page is designed in a simple manner allowing the browser to load the page for the user within seconds.
2. Users’ can access the menu easily as it is designed so that users’ can find the categories intuitively.
3. The feature of instant messaging pops up in the users’ screen by touching the Story of Us icon the user can then reply to the received messages.
4. Users’ can choose to remain anonymous, have a username, or display their full name, dependent on their preference.
5. The feature of geolocation enables users to share their story or message other users’
6. In their proximity. Another option is to speak with other users’ independent of the location of the user.
7. In the era of digital consumption, it has become increasingly popular to make use of tablets and mobile phones to access websites anywhere. More than a third of all internet traffic is through the usage of mobile devices. Therefore, the website will have a responsive design by using the Bootstrap CSS Framework. This ensures the full functionality of the website and the automatic adaption of the device layout.
8. The Story of Us uses a customized and representative logo and brand
9. Users’ can find a counsellor in their local area through GPS location function. Further, a suggested list of counsellors with associated user ratings are displayed in the category “Contact a Grief Counsellor”.
10. Most features of the app are free of charge. However, booking an appointment with a counsellor is not free of charge and a warning is shown on the display at various stages of scheduling a session with a counsellor. The users’ health insurance may provide support on this matter.
11. Messages and posts with discriminating or racist content will be deleted and the membership of these individuals terminated. Users’ will not discriminated because of their gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Some of the UX elements are illustrated in the mock-up. The Story of Us ensures rich experience and benefits by sharing your story and interacting with other users’ that experience similar struggles.

Written by Naida Balafkan