Fentra
Women's photography meetup app
Overview
Working
Prototype
Created in Adobe XD, over the course of
2 weeks.
Working
Prototype
Created in Adobe XD, over the course of
2 weeks.
In Progress
Detailed case study coming soon
|Project Summary
Fentra is a photography meetup app that provides women with a safe environment to form meaningful connections through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
This is a story of how we came up with the idea behind Fentra and designed an interactive prototype with the hope of combating loneliness among women over 50.
Team Myself (UX/UI)
Alexis H. (UX)
Niah R. (UX)
Tools Adobe XD
Figma
Illustrator
Premiere Pro
Challenges Accessibility
2-week deadline
Creating a one-minute advertisement deliverable
Impact Won the "Delightful Design Award" out of 70+ projects
Chosen as exemplary work for future groups
Problem Statement:
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025.
Fentra combats the problem of loneliness among older women by providing them with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
The complete research can be found here
Problem Statement:
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025.
Fentra combats the problem of loneliness among older women by providing them with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
The complete research can be found here
Team Myself (UX/UI)
Alexis H. (UX)
Noah R. (UX)
Tools Adobe XD
Figma
Illustrator
Premiere Pro
Duration 2 weeks
Impact Won the "Delightful Design Award"
out of 70+ projects 💎
|Background
As part of my informatics class, my team was challenged to design an interactive prototype for an original information system in two weeks. For our system, we chose to create a meetup app that focuses on the problem of loneliness among women over the age of 50.
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025. The leading cause of loneliness among women over-50 is their inability to form new and meaningful connections.
|The Problem
There is a growing epidemic of social loneliness among women over the age of 50, however, there are still no apps dedicated to forming meaningful platonic relationships between women through the encouragement of face-to-face interaction. This leads to the question -
How can we help women over-50 combat social loneliness through a mobile app?
|Our Goals
Our initial goal was to create an app that could help women over 50 overcome social loneliness. However, after conducting a user interview, we changed our high-level goal to designing an app that would provide women over 50 with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
Specifically, we aimed to create an aesthetically pleasing and intuitive interface and include various helpful photography tips and a camera feature to avoid the need for any photography equipment.
This project's scope was to conduct user research, design a high-fidelity prototype for an original information system (mobile app recommended), and map its alleged information architecture. In the end, each project group was required to create a 1-minute advertisement video to showcase their information system.
|My Role
I led the project over two weeks in June 2021, focusing on the visual aspect and conducting user research. I worked closely on this prototype with my teammates, who focused on information architecture.
The project was completed in the scheduled timeline and was chosen as exemplary work for future courses.
My design process for this project is shown below:
Chapter 1
Research
|Secondary Research
We looked through multiple scholarly articles and past surveys and collected key metrics that indicated which kind of app would help women over 50 overcome social loneliness. We were also curious about their mobile phone usage and whether a meetup app was a good idea.
In addition, we tried to use Reddit and Quora to find out more about their experiences but noticed that most users were under the age of 50. We then constructed an in-depth problem statement which can be found here.
After this stage, we decided that we wanted to create a meetup app but still needed more insight. Thus, we decided to go beyond the assignment's scope and conduct an interview.
|Interview
To better understand our demographic, we interviewed one potential user over the age of 50. The interview was semi-structured, and most questions were left open-ended to share more details on their experience with meetup apps and meeting friends in general.
The interviewee had never used a meetup app before and had never heard of an app designed for platonic relationships. However, they did show interest in a meetup app, as long as it is safe. They also talked about meeting most of their friends through a photography group, which completely changed the direction of our project.
Problem Statement:
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025.
Fentra combats the problem of loneliness among older women by providing them with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
The complete research can be found here
Problem Statement:
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025.
Fentra combats the problem of loneliness among older women by providing them with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
The complete research can be found here
|Competitive Analysis
We decided to perform a competitive analysis of 4 different apps; Meetup and Cityexplorer, some of the most popular meetup apps, Senior Friends Date, the only meetup/dating app we could find that specifically targeted over-50s, and Explorest. This photography app provides users with the nearest photo-ready locations and teaches them how to utilize their phones as cameras. Since our app essentially combines all four apps, we looked for their strengths and weaknesses.
Problem Statement:
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025.
Fentra combats the problem of loneliness among older women by providing them with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
The complete research can be found here
Problem Statement:
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025.
Fentra combats the problem of loneliness among older women by providing them with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
The complete research can be found here
|Why Mobile Photography
The interview reinforced a pattern that we already saw in the secondary research - the strongest connections seem to be created from the practice of hobbies and shared activities. Thus, we wanted to find accessible activities users could do together to help them form new friendships.
Currently, 83% of people over 50 have smartphones with working cameras, so we decided to make a mobile-photography based meetup app for amateur photographers. Mobile photography will be used as more of an "ice braker," contributing to our primary goal - helping users develop new connections and make new memories.
|Opportunity Areas
After completing the research and using the 4 apps we chose to analyze, we concluded that some opportunity areas for our app could be:
Problem Statement:
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025.
Fentra combats the problem of loneliness among older women by providing them with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
The complete research can be found here
Problem Statement:
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025.
Fentra combats the problem of loneliness among older women by providing them with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
The complete research can be found here
Chapter 2
Synthesize
|Persona Development
Based on our research, we developed a user persona that demonstrates our target users, their goals, and pain points.
Chapter 3
Ideation
|Product Structure
Based on the opportunity areas we identified, we created Fentra's product structure. Users can schedule meetups that are divided by location and start a group chat. Scheduled meetups appear on the home page, along with a variety of helpful mobile photography tips. During the meetup, users can take photos with the app's built-in camera and upload the photos into the shared meetup gallery. We determined that users should be able to both create and join meetups (after using Meetup and Citysocializer).
|Sketches
Once we figured out the app's main features, I began coming up with ideas for the UI. Due to the approaching deadline, we did not create a paper prototype and had to go straight into making a high-fidelity one.
Here are some quick wireframes of the home screen, as well as the search and the profile screens:
Problem Statement:
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025.
Fentra combats the problem of loneliness among older women by providing them with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
The complete research can be found here
Problem Statement:
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025.
Fentra combats the problem of loneliness among older women by providing them with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
The complete research can be found here
Chapter 4 & 5
Prototype + Testing
Problem Statement:
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025.
Fentra combats the problem of loneliness among older women by providing them with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
The complete research can be found here
Problem Statement:
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025.
Fentra combats the problem of loneliness among older women by providing them with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
The complete research can be found here
|High Fidelity
I used Adobe XD to design the high-fidelity prototype that we used for usability testing. Click here to view the initial prototype.
|Usability Testing
We conducted usability testing with three users (one of which did not fit the app's demographic) and only had time for one iteration before the deadline. The biggest UI problem turned out to be the font size, which appeared too small when presented on smartphones. Thus, we decided to increase all fonts by 35%. Users also mentioned that they would like to see a more task-based prototype, which would allow them to actually fill out forms and add photos to the gallery.
When it came to new feature suggestions, one of the three users mentioned that they would be concerned for their safety and suggested adding a panic button. In addition, two of the three users claimed that a map that shows available meetups would simplify the searching process. Another suggestion was showing which user took each photo in the gallery. Due to time constraints, we only implemented the latter two features since most phones already have panic buttons. However, an in-app panic button should definitely be implemented in the future.
|Design Change 1
We added a map feature (as suggested during the usability test) to provide users with a more intuitive and comfortable meetup-searching experience. Previously, when users tapped on the "search" icon, it took them right to the recommendations. However, now it takes them to a map that shows available meetups nearby. Users can still access recommendations when they tap on the search box.
Problem Statement:
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025.
Fentra combats the problem of loneliness among older women by providing them with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
The complete research can be found here
Problem Statement:
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025.
Fentra combats the problem of loneliness among older women by providing them with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
The complete research can be found here
|Design Change 3
While we did not get any criticisms about this feature during the usability test, we decided red was too dominant for the camera borders and could be distracting while taking photos. Thus, we made the in-app camera interface more minimalistic and chose nude for the borders (which is also part of Fentra's color scheme).
Design Solutions
|Task 1: Join a meetup
|Task 2: Create a meetup
|Task 3: Access mobile photography tips
|Task 4: Upload meetup photos to the shared-gallery
Conclusion
|1-Minute Product Explanation Video
The product explanation was meant to visually communicate the prototype in one minute or less. I edited it in PowerDirector as well as Adobe Premiere Pro, using stock footage from pexels.com.
|Design Change 2
We added the profile pictures of the users who took each meetup photo to the shared meetup gallery feed. This will eliminate any chance for confusion regarding who took which photo.
To address some of the users' safety concerns, we decided to require all meetup locations to only include pre-approved public places (the location status could be determined by google maps). Also, meetup times will be limited to no later than 10:00 PM.
|Concerns and Potential Solutions
Due to the 2-week deadline, we had to make a lot of compromises and give up on features that would improve the users' experience. Below are some of Fentra's existing flaws, with potential solutions.
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Concern #1: How can Fentra guarantee the safety of its users and protect them from fake meetups?
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Potential Solution: A panic button should be integrated into Fentra's system, as well as a "report" option.
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Concern #2: What about people who don't like mobile photography?
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Potential Solution: Expanding Fentra's services to include other activities such as cooking and even exercising together.
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Concern #3: How do I know that people are not lying about who they are?
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Potential Solution: A future version of the app could have an age verification tool that would ensure the age and identity of Fentra's users.
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Concern #4: What about people with mobility issues?
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Potential Solution: Unfortunately, the only solution to this would be creating/joining meetups as nearby as possible.
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Concern #5: How should I use the app if I have bad eyesight and can't read the text?
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Potential Solution: For those with partial vision impairment, a possible feature would be a font-resizer, which would allow users to increase the app's font size.
|Future Product Features
Below are features that would resolve some of Fentra's remaining pain points and improve the user experience.
|What's Next
If we had additional time, we would continue iterating, as it would make it easier to improve any inconsistencies and determine what our users want. We would also create a login screen, and design the onboarding process. I would also revisit the meetup fill-out form since we did not have time to test it properly (besides the users briefly looking over it). Finally, I would love to focus more on accessibility since this service does target an older demographic.
Some additional features that we think could resolve Fentra's remaining pain points are:
|Challenges and Lessons
The main challenge we encountered was deciding on the prototype's scope since we were unsure about its optimal level of detail, especially considering the 2-week deadline. In addition, we had a hard time finding apps similar to ours for the competitive analysis and had to compromise on four completely different apps, with each one having an aspect we needed. Due to a lack of similar apps, we had to rely more on the limited user-testing and our own intuition to complete the prototype.
|Thanks For Reading!
Team Myself (UX/UI)
Alexis H. (UX)
Noah R. (UX)
Tools Adobe XD
Figma
Illustrator
Premiere Pro
Duration 2 weeks
Impact Won the "Delightful Design Award"
out of 70+ projects 💎
Chosen as exemplary work for future classes
Problem Statement:
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025.
Fentra combats the problem of loneliness among older women by providing them with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
The complete research can be found here
Problem Statement:
Loneliness is a self-observed state, which can hurt one's emotional, as well as physical well-being. Loneliness is most prevalent among women over-50 and is expected to increase by 49 % in that age group by 2025.
Fentra combats the problem of loneliness among older women by providing them with a safe environment to form meaningful connections with each other through practicing mobile photography as a hobby.
The complete research can be found here
Music Room
Networking App for Musicians
Music Room
Networking App for Musicians
