Building Community and Best Practices
Building Community and Best Practices
Building Community and Best Practices
Info
Info
Info
Concept Design
Interaction Design,
Accessibility, A/B Testing
Description
Description
Description
A concept design for the digital interface of an outdoor bicycle emphasizing unobtrusive and intuitive design features.
work done
work done
work done
Market Research, A/B Testing, Empathy Mapping
TLDR;
User interviews highlighted a desire for community and connectivity to other users. This was achieved by incorporating a chat room for active riders as well as an events page and a home feed.
User interviews highlighted a desire for community and connectivity to other users. This was achieved by incorporating a chat room for active riders as well as an events page and a home feed.
After conducting user tests we improved safety features, creating larger buttons as well as increasing font sizes and weights. Buttons also became collapsible.
After conducting user tests we improved safety features, creating larger buttons as well as increasing font sizes and weights. Buttons also became collapsible.
This project is a concept design for a digital interface for an outdoor bicycle
This project is a concept design for a digital interface for an outdoor bicycle
Industry research showed an increase in demand for assistive technology while participating in outdoor cycling
Industry research showed an increase in demand for assistive technology while participating in outdoor cycling
PEDALPATH PRO
As we enter a new phase of the digital revolution, people are attempting to reconnect with passions that anchor them to the natural world and the present moment. Cycling is one such activity that has grown in popularity over the last four years with the average daily bicycle trips per year rising 37% from 2019 to 2022 according to Bloomberg. With an expanding market comes a stronger demand from users to enhance their experiences while riding.
As we enter a new phase of the digital revolution, people are attempting to reconnect with passions that anchor them to the natural world and the present moment. Cycling is one such activity that has grown in popularity over the last four years with the average daily bicycle trips per year rising 37% from 2019 to 2022 according to Bloomberg. With an expanding market comes a stronger demand from users to enhance their experiences while riding.
GOAL
Whether for sport, leisure or as a means of transport, my task with this project was to design a digital interface for an outdoor bicycle that offered an elevated riding experience while prioritizing safety and remaining unobtrusive to the users' ride.
Whether for sport, leisure or as a means of transport, my task with this project was to design a digital interface for an outdoor bicycle that offered an elevated riding experience while prioritizing safety and remaining unobtrusive to the users' ride.
RESEARCH
What the Users Wanted
While some users may look for more challenging routes with steep inclines and endurance pushes, other users are simply looking for the quickest route to work or an easy trail ride at the end of the day. This meant that my designs had to feel personal and still appeal to a diverse group of users. I had to be sure my designs met all requirements for an MVP without feeling overwhelming or broad.
Despite differing applications, all users were seeking a tool that helped them navigate previously unpredictable obstacles while prioritizing safety above all else. PedalPath needed to fit in seamlessly as one aspect of their bike ride, not something outside of the experience.
Building Community
Through interviews with cyclists of varying backgrounds, I discovered a significant amount of interest in group rides, with 60% of interviewees already actively participating in group rides and 90% interested in the camaraderie of group rides and community events.
The creation of an active riders chat was the first aspect of incorporating communal features to PedalPath. Interviewees expressed a desire for rider to rider interaction that was more casual and spontaneous than other large group events.
What the Users Wanted
While some users may look for more challenging routes with steep inclines and endurance pushes, other users are simply looking for the quickest route to work or an easy trail ride at the end of the day. This meant that my designs had to feel personal and still appeal to a diverse group of users. I had to be sure my designs met all requirements for an MVP without feeling overwhelming or broad.
Despite differing applications, all users were seeking a tool that helped them navigate previously unpredictable obstacles while prioritizing safety above all else. PedalPath needed to fit in seamlessly as one aspect of their bike ride, not something outside of the experience.
Building Community
Through interviews with cyclists of varying backgrounds, I discovered a significant amount of interest in group rides, with 60% of interviewees already actively participating in group rides and 90% interested in the camaraderie of group rides and community events.
The creation of an active riders chat was the first aspect of incorporating communal features to PedalPath. Interviewees expressed a desire for rider to rider interaction that was more casual and spontaneous than other large group events.
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Users can opt in to display that they are riding and see other active users
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For those more inclined towards pre planned group rides and races, the community page provides an events tab where users can organize cycling based events.
For those more inclined towards pre-planned group rides and races, the community page provides an events tab where users can organize cycling based events.
For those more inclined towards pre-planned group rides and races, the community page provides an events tab where users can organize cycling based events.
DESIGN
Designing for Varied Personas
Due to the varied needs of our user base, PedalPath offers many options for customization. Suggested routes based on the desired ride type and customizable live ride alerts ensured that users would be presented with routes specific to the experience they were looking for and allowed them to make use of PedalPath in a variety of situations.
Passion for Safety
Because some features will be accessed while the user is in motion, alerts and buttons had to be easily noticeable and use text that was large and clear enough to be read at a glance. We accomplished this by using:
Heavy font weight and large font size
Bright and legible colors
Minimal design aesthetic
Designing for Varied Personas
Due to the varied needs of our user base, PedalPath offers many options for customization. Suggested routes based on the desired ride type and customizable live ride alerts ensured that users would be presented with routes specific to the experience they were looking for and allowed them to make use of PedalPath in a variety of situations.
Passion for Safety
Because some features will be accessed while the user is in motion, alerts and buttons had to be easily noticeable and use text that was large and clear enough to be read at a glance. We accomplished this by using:
Heavy font weight and large font size
Bright and legible colors
Minimal design aesthetic
After conducting A/B usability tests it was discovered that many users preferred designs that remained clean, clear and simple as opposed to ones that complicated the user flow. This led to a few iterations of the New Ride input pages to decrease cognitive overload for the users.
After conducting A/B usability tests it was discovered that many users preferred designs that remained clean, clear and simple as opposed to ones that complicated the user flow. This led to a few iterations of the New Ride input pages to decrease cognitive overload for the users.
OUTCOMES AND REFLECTION
Moving Forward
PedalPath is a conceptual design, however there are still clear metrics by which we could measure success. User engagement and the number of scheduled events would be an indication of the community pages impact. Consistent use of the saved routes feature, active engagement with the live ride alerts and postings to the community page feed will also be strong signifiers of success
What We Discovered
While creating PedalPath my understanding of design evolved greatly. UX design isn’t always about creating something flashy or eye-catching. It’s about creating something that enhances the user’s experience without them having to think much about it. PedalPath is a tool and it’s design is meant to feel just like that in the user's hands. Something that makes their bike ride easier, but doesn’t take away from what they’re really after- a bike ride. Like a hammer becomes the extension of the handler's arm, PedalPath is an extension of the tactile world it’s encompassed by. Technology to enhance, not distract.
Moving Forward
PedalPath is a conceptual design, however there are still clear metrics by which we could measure success. User engagement and the number of scheduled events would be an indication of the community pages impact. Consistent use of the saved routes feature, active engagement with the live ride alerts and postings to the community page feed will also be strong signifiers of success
What We Discovered
While creating PedalPath my understanding of design evolved greatly. UX design isn’t always about creating something flashy or eye-catching. It’s about creating something that enhances the user’s experience without them having to think much about it. PedalPath is a tool and it’s design is meant to feel just like that in the user's hands. Something that makes their bike ride easier, but doesn’t take away from what they’re really after- a bike ride. Like a hammer becomes the extension of the handler's arm, PedalPath is an extension of the tactile world it’s encompassed by. Technology to enhance, not distract.