Research Insights

METHODOLOGY

I began my research with a competitive analysis. I discovered a park-finding app called Oh Ranger! Park Finder, which has an extensive list of parks and activities. However, this app has no user profiles, reviews, or photos of the parks. This app is mainly for users looking to explore/stay active, whereas my target audience would be parents and caregivers of children.

I also looked into Yelp and AllTrails, successful applications within related markets, since many of their features could be applied to my product.
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Ultimately, most of my research insights came from a series of one-on-one user interviews with 5 participants, all of whom were parents of one or more children and visited parks frequently.

Take a look below at the key findings extracted from my research and the design insights they sparked.

FINDING #1

Parents usually rely on Google Maps to discover playgrounds if they are in a new or unfamiliar area

All the participants I interviewed did not use an app specific for finding parks/playgrounds, they used Google Maps to search near their current location. However, many participants expressed a frustration with Google Maps. They found it lacking in terms of listing park amenities and features, and often had to sift through reviews to find specific information. Even then, there was no guarantee that someone had written a review addressing their particular needs.

DESIGN INSIGHT

Incorporate the Google Maps platform directions and navigation, since users are already familiar with it

Integrating Google Maps allows users to benefit from accurate directions, real-time traffic updates, and a familiar interface they are accustomed to using. This integration enhances the overall usability and convenience of the app, making it easier for users to reach their chosen playgrounds with confidence.

FINDING #2

Users check out playground reviews and photos prior to visiting with their children

All of the interview participants emphasized their reliance on reviews from other parents. They considered reviews to be a valuable source of information, particularly regarding aspects not explicitly listed in the playground information, such as safety. Additionally, every participant mentioned that they would actively look at photos of the playground as part of their decision-making process.

DESIGN INSIGHT

Create user profiles in the app, so users can view and leave reviews and photos

By allowing users to create profiles, they can share their firsthand experiences and insights about playgrounds, providing valuable information that may not be listed in the playground descriptions. This allows prospective visitors to gather details like the presence of shade, safety aspects related to the surrounding neighborhood, and other relevant factors that contribute to their decision-making process.

FINDING #3

Safety, park amenities, and playground equipment are major factors when deciding what playground to visit.

Among the concerns expressed by all parents, knowing the availability of restrooms at the park prior to visiting ranked high on their list. They also wanted to know if the playground offered accessible and age-appropriate structures suitable for their children. Safety was another paramount consideration for parents, encompassing factors such as whether the park was enclosed, the presence of homeless individuals in the vicinity, and the overall neighborhood's reputation.

DESIGN INSIGHT

Include a filter and sort function to search for playgrounds by features, age range, park amenities, accessibility, distance, etc.

This functionality enhances the user experience by allowing them to narrow down their search and find playgrounds that best suit their specific needs and preferences. By including these options, users can easily refine their search results and discover playgrounds that align with their desired criteria.

Meet Marie - the Explorer Mom

After gathering valuable research insights from my user interviews, I crafted a persona that embodied the characteristics of a Let's Play! user.

Persona of "The explorer mom", a prospective Let's Play! user

Now that I had my user persona, I was equipped to move forward with feature ideations that resonated with the target audience of Let's Play!

Feature roadmap for Let's Play! mobile app

Design

LOW-FI SKETCHES

To begin the design process, I drew up some low-fidelity sketches of my basic wireframes using a pencil and paper. These initial sketches served as a foundation for visualizing the layout and structure of the design before moving to more refined digital versions.

MID-FIDELITY WIREFRAMES

Below are some of the digitized mid-fidelity screens made on Figma. It shows the explore/home page, the search filters, playground results, and a playground information page.

In the search filters page, I initially implemented radio buttons for the filter options. However, considering that multiple options can be applied to the search, I made the decision to switch them to check boxes instead. This modification allows users to select and combine multiple filter options according to their preferences.

BRANDING

I created my Let's Play! logo on Canva with a handwritten font called Feel Free Playful. To create a safe and welcoming play environment, I designed a simple jungle gym using Figma and added illustrations of children joyfully engaged in play atop the structure.
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For the font selection, I opted for Quicksand, a rounded serif typeface that exudes an inviting playfulness while maintaining simplicity, clarity, and readability.

View a sample of my style guide components below.

Prototype

ONBOARDING SCREENS

HIGH-FIDELITY WIREFRAMES

Test

I conducted my usability test with 6 participants to optimize my design. Most of these tests were done through a desktop prototype on Figma, and one of them was completed on a mobile device. I gained many valuable insights from the testing, as well as feedback from my peers in group critique.

USER TASKS

The participants were asked to:

1. Search for a playground that has restrooms and is stroller friendly.
2. Find directions to Marina Park Playground, which was one of the playgrounds from the search results. 3. View photos and leave a review of Marina Park Playground

USABILITY TEST RESULTS

All participants were able to finish the first and third tasks during the usability test. However, 33% of the participants had trouble with finding directions to the Marina Park Playground. They did not see the directions button at the top, and instead scrolled down to the map to find directions there.

ITERATIONS

In response to user feedback and to improve the hierarchy of the playground information screen, I made five revisions to the design as seen below.
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By moving the map up and placing the address and parking information underneath it, I prioritized the visual prominence of the map and made it easier for users to locate the directions. Additionally, by moving the park feature tags down, I decreased their affordance to reduce their prominence in the design. This adjustment is intended to prevent users from mistaking the park feature tags as interactive elements, which some participants had done in the original design.
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These modifications aim to improve the user experience by enhancing the visibility and accessibility of key elements, ensuring that users can easily find and utilize the directions functionality.

Final Product

Here is the final high-fidelity prototype of my design after the revisions were made.

Try the Let's Play! prototype ➞

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