Project
SENSEII
Project Overview
SENSEII is a mobile app designed to help
Early Childhood Educators' communication skills with Casual Educators to work efficiently from day one by sharing a DO/DON'T List.
The app provides a list of room information, Educators' personalities, strengths and work ethics. It helps save their time, reduce miscommunication with each other, and understand routines and children's needs even before starting their shift.
My Role
I designed User Experience and User Interfaces for this project and performed the following tasks as part of my personal project for Academy Xi's UX UI Design course:
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Desktop research and Qual & Quan
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Ideation and User Research
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Sketching and Wireframing
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Prototyping with Figma
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A/B Testing and Usability Testing
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Iteration
Client & Duration
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Potential Client: Goodstart Early Learning
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Time Taken: 6 weeks
Design Process
I used a Double Diamond Design Thinking process to support Early Childhood Educators.
Problem Statement
Early Childhood Educators working in Australia feel stressed in their work environment. However, they want to improve their motivation and ability to work more efficiently, but need guidance on how to start.
Research Synthesis - Qual & Quan
Research conducted :
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Desktop Research - Early Childhood Educators' pain points & statistics via Google search
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Survey - 37 x Survey Responses - 1:1 Interviews - 3 Interviews - 90% female, aged 25 to 35
Results - see below for research insights :
I was provided with valuable insights into Educators' perceptions, attitudes and behaviours.
The key insights:
"I want to work with a fast learner."
1. The majority of the respondents stated that communicating with new Educators causes misunderstandings as they are unfamiliar with each other's way of working.
"I don't have time to remind task another educator as children come first."
3. Repeatedly teaching Educators who might not be required by the service which makes them feel like it is a pointless task.
5. Educators identified that they are not receiving enough support from the centre’s leadership team and it would be nice if they could get positive feedback and encouragement from them.
"Communication is the key!"
2. They also wanted to improve their communication skills, but they are not sure how to begin the process.
"Every time casual doesn't know our routine makes hard to work with."
4. 80% of them felt they had no time to provide high-quality teaching to new Educators as they placed the children’s wellbeing first.
"I need trust and support from the boss and team."
After our interviews, I grouped and categorised the data into an Affinity Map and an Empathy map which enabled us to have a clearer understanding of the user experience.
Problem Redefined
Early Childhood Educators who work in Australia feel frustrated when communicating with casual and new educators. Educators want to improve their motivation and their ability to work efficiently but face a lack of support and resources.
Persona - Ruby
Based on the interviews & surveys we set up the persona of Ruby. I referred to her throughout the entire product development process.
Customer Journey
I can see negative emotions and thoughts from Ruby's customer journey.
Addressing HMW
How Might We reduce Ruby’s misunderstandings and frustration when she works with casual and new Educators each day in a busy environment.
Ideation Workshop
Invited Participants:
Agenda:
- 8 Rubys Early Childhood Educators
- 9 Classmates UX UI Designers
1. Welcome, Introduction & Agenda (5 min)
2. Introduction to Problem, Personas (10 min)
3. Crazy 8 exercise (8 min)
4. Present Crazy 8 ideas (8 min)
5. Pair-up brainstorming activity for storyboard (5 min)
6. Present & Vote idea on MVP (10 min)
Sketches and User Flow
The ideation workshop brought me to card sorting, sketches and IA user flows.
I did sketching based on my flow for the main features myself. I then analysed it and revised the user flow for the app before the user testing.
Wireframe
4 Rubys were invited to the Mid-Fi wireframe testing.
All of them were confused with circle and cross marks in the Nappy change and meal time lists.
The majority of the respondents stated that it was easy to finish creating a list after they played around with the app and they achieved the task in less than 20 seconds.
"I found it simple and easy to finish a task. Love it"
"I need Family Authorisation list for child pick up process"
“Where can I find a create Botton?”
"What's this ◎ mark? Can you use✔️ mark instead?"
Mood Board
I also conducted the mood board to compare 2 designs and realised that 63% of Ruby’s wanted something flat, simple and in a neutral colour.
"I like the green one because It's a neutral colour. "
"Pink one is too busy, too many colours. "
Revised User flow and UI
I then revised the user flow and UI, based on the outcome of the first usability testing.
Guide to a brief description page after sign up.
Changed to ✔️✖️ icons.
Allergy for the Red colour.
High Fidelity Prototype User testing
Finally, in the Double diamond Deliver phase, 10 Rubys were tested for
my Mid Fi prototyping.
- Finding the create button was much smoother as Ruby was taken to the create list page with a description right after she signed up.
-They are all happy with the list categories, especially with allergy and family authorization.
- 90% of Ruby’s wanted to use this app on their iPad during work and outside work on their phone.
Personal Reflections From Project
What did I enjoy...
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The whole process of using the Double Diamond method
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Interviewing educators and hearing their real perspectives to identify pain points
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Was fascinating to use Figma for the first time in my life
What did I learn...
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Time management is important
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How to manage and facilitate workshops
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Miro and Figma skills
What I would like to improve...
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Confidence in each phase of the project
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How to manage and facilitate workshops
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Story-telling skills
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Figma skills