Project Overview
The "30 Days" fitness app is designed to cultivate the habit of regular exercise among its users, focusing on health and wellness over aesthetic goals. This innovative app encourages users to engage in daily physical activity through a personalized 30-day program, rewarding consistency rather than perfection. By considering individual energy levels, mood, and available time, "30 Days" tailors workout plans to fit users' lifestyles, aiming to make exercise a regular part of their daily routine without the pressure of achieving an ideal body type.
My Role
As the Designer, Researcher, Interviewer, and Prototyper of the "30 Days" app, I spearheaded the project from concept to creation. My responsibilities included conducting both qualitative and quantitative research to understand the market needs, designing the app's user interface and experience, interviewing potential users to gain insights into their fitness journeys, and developing a prototype that was tested and refined based on user feedback
My Process
My process in developing the "30 Days" app involved an integrated approach combining both qualitative and quantitative research to understand the fitness landscape and user needs. Starting with in-depth interviews and analysis of health statistics, I gained insights into the challenges and motivations surrounding regular exercise. Leveraging this knowledge, I designed and prototyped the app, focusing on creating a personalized and motivating user experience that encourages habit formation without the pressure of achieving an ideal body type. Through iterative design and user feedback, I refined the app to ensure it meets the diverse needs of its users, making regular physical activity an accessible and enjoyable part of their daily lives.
Design Toolkit
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe After Effects
Miro
Figma
User Research Summarized
Qualitative Research
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Interview Insights: Gathered in-depth insights from individuals on their views and experiences with fitness, highlighting the importance of motivation, knowledge, and the psychological benefits of exercise.
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User Needs and Preferences: Identified a strong desire for a fitness app that prioritizes health and habit formation over aesthetics, accommodating users' varied emotional and physical states.
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User Interviews: Conducted in-depth interviews with a diverse group of individuals to explore their personal experiences with fitness, their daily routines, and their emotional responses to exercise. These conversations provided valuable insights into the psychological factors that influence workout consistency, such as motivation, personal goals, and the impact of seeing others achieve their fitness objectives.
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Observational Studies: Engaged in observational research at fitness centers and in public spaces where people exercise, to gain a nuanced understanding of behaviors and routines in different environments. This helped identify common patterns and unique approaches to fitness that could inform the app's design to accommodate a wide range of user preferences and situations.
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Focus Groups: Organized focus group discussions that brought together potential users to talk about their fitness aspirations, challenges, and what they look for in a fitness app. These discussions were particularly useful in understanding the community aspect of fitness and how social support and seeing others' progress could motivate individuals to stay consistent.
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Emotional and Psychological Insights: Paid special attention to the emotional and psychological aspects of fitness, exploring how individuals' moods, energy levels, and daily stresses affect their willingness and ability to exercise. This insight was crucial in developing the app's unique features, such as adjusting workouts based on mood and energy levels, making the app more responsive and empathetic to the user's state of mind.
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Analysis of Existing Solutions: Reviewed and analyzed current fitness apps and wellness programs to identify gaps in the market, especially regarding inclusivity, personalization, and supporting beginners or those who feel intimidated by traditional fitness environments. This analysis helped in ideating features that would make "30 Days" stand out, such as allowing users to bypass entering sensitive information like weight and providing workouts for complete beginners.
Quantitative Research
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Health Statistics: Analyzed data on the prevalence of diabetes, obesity, and depression, establishing a strong foundation for the app's focus on regular physical activity as a preventative measure.
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Exercise Benefits: Reviewed studies, including the Harvard Chan School of Public Health's findings, to quantify the impact of regular exercise on mental and physical health.
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Health Statistics Analysis: Leveraged public health data from reputable sources such as the CDC, the American Cancer Society, and global health organizations to quantify the prevalence of conditions like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and depression. This data provided a statistical backdrop against which the app's impact could be measured, highlighting the urgent need for interventions that promote regular physical activity as a preventive measure.
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Survey Distribution: Conducted extensive surveys among potential app users to gather quantitative data on their fitness habits, preferences, and barriers to regular exercise. Questions were designed to measure frequency of workouts, types of physical activities preferred, time available for exercise, and personal health goals. The survey results offered concrete metrics on the target audience's current engagement with fitness and areas where they seek improvement.
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Engagement Metrics: Analyzed engagement metrics from existing fitness apps and wellness programs to understand user behavior patterns, such as average session length, frequency of app usage, and dropout rates. This analysis helped identify key features that keep users engaged and areas where other apps fall short, informing strategies to enhance user retention in "30 Days."
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Effectiveness of Exercise on Health: Reviewed quantitative studies, including the significant research from the Harvard Chan School of Public Health, which provided statistical evidence on how regular physical activity can reduce the risk of major depression, among other health benefits. Incorporating these findings, the app was designed to encourage activities proven to have measurable impacts on physical and mental health.
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User Progress and Feedback Analysis: Planned for the collection and analysis of quantitative user feedback through the app, measuring workout consistency, progress towards personal goals, and overall satisfaction with the app experience. This future data will be crucial for ongoing improvements and to quantitatively assess the app's effectiveness in fostering a habit of regular exercise.
Competitive Analysis
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Evaluated existing fitness apps to identify gaps in the market, particularly in personalized, habit-forming approaches that cater to users' emotional well-being and busy schedules. "30 Days" was positioned to fill these gaps by offering a more accessible and flexible fitness solution.
Collateral Design
User Persona
Conclusion
The "30 Days" app addresses critical health issues through a unique approach to fitness that emphasizes habit formation, personal well-being, and inclusivity. By combining insights from both qualitative and quantitative research, the app is designed to meet the needs of individuals like Alex, who seek a sustainable and non-intimidating way to integrate exercise into their daily lives. As the designer and researcher behind "30 Days," my role was to ensure that the app not only motivates users to start their fitness journey but also supports them every step of the way, making regular physical activity an enjoyable and rewarding part of their routine.