Nurture
As the pace of society increases, it is becoming increasingly easy to lose touch with people. Former classmates, coworkers, friends and even family members can become distance figures that we lose connection with. Although these individuals are not in our daily or even weekly lives, we still value these connections and would like to connect with some regularity. This project explores solutions to improve long-distance communication.
This was a graduate school project for the Human Centered Design and Engineering program at the University of Washington.
Nurture App Welcome and Home Screens
Generative Research
Survey | Diary Study | Interviews
Survey: 145 participants; Diary Study: 5 participants; Interview: 5 participants
We conducted a generative survey inquiring about the type of long distance connections people maintain, as well as the frequency and means in which individuals keep in contact with these connections. We received 145 responses to this survey.
Using the survey data as a primer, we conducted a more in-depth 7-day diary study with 5 participants (ages 25- 35) asking them to track and journal their experience interacting with long-distance connections. Afterwards we conducted moderated interviews with the same participants to gather more detailed information regarding their interactions with long distance connections and the substance of their communication.
Analysis
Affinity Mapping | Desirability Matrix
We analyzed qualitative date from the diary studies through affinity mapping participant stories and experiences with long distance friends, which revealed distinct needs and pain points.
Affinity diagramming qualitative data with team
Ideation
Through sessions of ideation, we developed concepts addressing participant needs and pain points, while also keeping in mind the variety of relationships people desire to maintain. We developed the Nurture app as a solution to address inconsistency of communication, trouble recalling frequency of communication and unintentional neglect of long distance connections.
Prototype
The concept of Nurture is focused on providing communication analytics and subtle reminders to connect. Users can create profiles for their friends, which will display the frequency of communication with that individual based on phone, text, Messenger, Instagram and emails exchanged. I sketched ideas for Nurture with my team and then developed the concept into a low-fidelity prototype. I tested the prototype with my team and based on their feedback I developed a higher-fidelity prototype to test with more participants.
Ideation Sketches
Low-Fidelity Prototype
Welcome and Login Screen
Home and Additional Information Screens
Profile and Edit Screens
New Profile and Edit Screens
Final Nurture App Prototype
Evaluative Research
Usability Testing | Concept Evaluation
6 participants
We conducted usability testing with 6 participants. During the session, we had participants complete core tasks while thinking out loud. At the end of the session, we asked participants to evaluate the concept and whether it would provide any value to them.
Outcome
This project served as practice in all stages of the human-centered design process: empathize, define, ideate, prototype and test. As the Lead UX Designer, I explored new tools and learned how to best implement user needs and desires into a final concept. Although a fairly simple interface, the design subtly initiates an action, which has a significant impact.