Teku
Capstone Project - MICA UX Design M.P.S
Scope: 16 weeks
Role: UX Designer, UX Researcher, and Project Manager
Tools: Figma, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides
Inspiration:
In Fall 2021 I moved from Michigan to New York City working remote full-time. Over my first few months, I noticed my step count was lacking despite living in a city where most people's mode of transportation is walking. I then noticed when I would go for walks, I usually ended up taking the same routes because I didn't know where else to go. This made me feel a little melancholic because I love taking walks and wanted to explore more of where I just moved to.
Goal:
To create a mobile app to encourage walking
What is Teku?
Teku is a mobile app for users who are struggling to get their movement in for the day based on their lifestyle. The user can map out walk routes and save them for later, explore and take existing walk routes created by other users, review walk routes, complete milestones/goals, and see how they rank in different walk communities.
Assumptions
People aren't hitting their daily step goal
People want to explore their neighborhood but they're too nervous to venture past what they already know
People have little time on their hands
Target Audience
Remote Worker
The average 9-5 remote worker who probably rolls out of bed at 8:59am and rolls back into bed at 5:01pm
New Comers
The fresh meat in their neighborhood, eager to explore but not knowing where to start
Busy Bees
The never-ending to-do lists with a side of packed calendars who is always on the go
Problem Statement
In this post-pandemic world, where people are cooped up in their homes, they are no longer moving around as often. This has resulted in many users not knowing their general surroundings or not knowing where to start because of how overwhelming it can be. Current walk route planning apps do not have pre-made routes users can take and don’t encourage users to go and explore right outside their front door – they’re mainly marketed to the regular walker/hiker who already have a destination. User’s may have the motivation already but don’t know where to get started.
Research
Survey
23
total participants
16
believe that it’s easy to integrate moving in their daily life but they lack the motivation
14
do not use walking apps currently and believe this would be a useful tool
"Interview"
Casual conversation with 2 of my peers -- both in their mid 20's and work full time corporate jobs
"
Both participants felt that with work from home, they spend all most all day on their computers with little to breaks -- leading to a lack of work life balance
"
Both participants agreed that an app like this would help encourage them to go outside but noted that it may be challenging to find the time during the work day
Competitive Analysis
Direct Competitors
Strava
UA Map My Walk
Walk Meter
Indirect Competitors
Charity Miles
Nike Run
Ideation
Mindmap -- used to flush out the pillars of the app & possible features to include
Reflection
It was very rewarding to see something that was only just an idea in my head come to fruition within the past weeks!
I learned once again just how valuable peer & user feedback is when it comes to design -- I believe that I was only able to get my app this far with the feedback I've received! Many things were pointed out to me that I either missed or didn't even think about and resulted in transforming my designs.
Next Steps
Finish designing outstanding flows & test
Design & test micro interactions
Design a smartwatch interface