Evaluate and Iterate + Experience Website
This week was my first time using Figma properly. I have to admit, I was initially quite hesitant using it as both times previously using it were workshops. The first workshop being a step my step in class and the second through a youtube video, in which includes no links to other pages. I was unsure how to create what I envisioned in my head, to a digital tool.
However, being prepared with my usability test research notes and my own reflections based on the Thames Rivercruise website, I was able to identify key elements to redesign. Through analysing the videos of my usability tests I picked out the most common issues people encountered.
I studied and analysed examples from existing sites with interactions and strong design elements that worked well from a users perspective. Using these an inspiration and as reference, I recreated a search bar and filter in Figma, but also keeping to the theme of the Thames Rivercruise website. This was as a result of many people struggling to locate the ‘Attractions’ pages and difficulty with finding and booking an available cruise in which a filter would be very useful for.
Despite some initial hiccups like forgetting to create the MacBook design prototype in the settings on the side bar, much to my surprise I was able to quickly overcome this and started designing. I found this to be a great confidence boost once I got the hang of it and everything came quite naturally. This in turn had an outcome of two redesigned design elements, which I am pleased about.
I would like to create some further improvements, when I have the opportunity, to change the options of river trips that show up as the filter changes.
For the other two examples I decided to focus on evaluating existing sites with stronger and well-though-out design elements. The check out process on Thames Rivercruise, many people had issues with booking dates using the calendar. From my primary usability research, I was able to identify a website that addressed the issues my test users came across. This website being the National Sea life Centre in Birmingham, also being a website which you can book a physical experience. Through annotation, I demonstrated and proved how this calendar in the checkout process worked better from a users perspective.
Towards the end of the week I began ideating for Project 3 – Experience Website. I looked at different combinations for themes an audiences which could work well. After contemplating about potential ideas and different routes each idea could take me for different themes and audiences. I chose the theme Food & Drink, and audience being Thrill-seekers. From this I decided to go with dining in a hot air balloon – keeping to the aim of the physical experience being as unique as possible. Mind mapping solidified this idea to be the start of my project.