In the process of our app development we noticed that popular apps on the market have common trends such as simple, but sleek User Interface, positive reviews and a memorable app icon. These are important features since different platforms for the same topic exist. Consequently, users do not use apps that they do not enjoy as there is a pool of other platforms available. Thus, it is important not just to have a good user experience with the product, but by offering additional functionalities that provide an extra edge to the application.Popular apps are easy to follow, consistent choice of colour and well-designed. In short, desirable, useful and usable.
Design Research
The Design Research started with understanding our users. Our users are people who have lost a beloved person, this may be recent or years ago. The Story of Us grieving app is to support users through these difficult times by building in features such as Forum, Contact Counsellor, Chat and Instant Messaging to other users. These categories were derived by interviewing Funeral Home Directors and Employees. The interviews provided further insight to this sensitive topic of grief. Through better understanding of the need of our users we can provide functionalities that are tailored to the user needs.
Information Architecture
Additionally, it important to understand the cultural and behavioural context of the users by having a clear understanding of the users aim, fears and likes as well as dislikes. The contextual setting allows to identify the different paths that users take during the bereavement process. In the app such aspects are evident through navigation bars as users know where they are in the app, where to find the features they were looking for and how to reset options. Easy access and use of frequent features such as chat and forum are provided by shortcuts.
The user interacts with different User Interfaces to access features. It is crucial that users do not have to search for their features. Therefore, elements should be intuitive, simple and without any hassle. The purpose that users can interact with the app should be conveyed on our app at all times. For instance, toggle switch feature makes it cleat to the user that one option must be selected for the following step. The colour of the app was set blue. This colour is often associated with the process of grief. Depression or other mental health issues are frequent occurrences to individuals who have experienced grief.
Trial and Error
Before the launch of the app for commercial use it is important to create awareness of the existence of our app by advertising the app on information brochures online or offline at counsellor offices or at funeral homes. It is important to introduce potential users to this app in an appropriate and sensible manner. By testing prototypes, it is ensured that the app has all the required functionalities and the outcome are desirable. Core attributes such as operating systems, motion, location and interaction can be tested early on. The site should react at all times reactive to all screen sizes to provide a pleasant experience to the user. Since our target audience reaches the ages above 16, especially focusing on middle-aged and elderly people. It is crucial to simplify the application by giving a short-guided tour to show the available features.
Source: Enterprise Class Mobile Application Development – A Complete Lifecycle Approach for Producing Mobile Apps
Written by Naida Balafkan
