Nantanaa Mutharasu
Product Designer
Research Driven
Creative Problem Solving
Check out my projects
Background
Global Relay App is fast becoming a leader in the compliant messaging industry. To leverage its app usage, the company was highly interested in tapping into the widgets world.
Project Overview
As a lead designer, I conceptualized a widgets package, researched and built requirements, prepared a project brief for stakeholders before jumping into wireframe designs and UI handoff.
Business Goal
Global Relay App, a multi-functional app had a clear business goal; users be able to access its core functions; Contacts, Calls, Chats and Archives from a widget. Its first release will be for the iOS platform, followed by Android and then Desktop.
Design-Led Approach
I built a project brief that would help the stakeholders and myself to stay on track of the business goal. After thoroughly researching about widgets and already having in-depth knowledge about the app, I outlined UX goals, highlighted technical challenges and assumptions.Once it was reviewed and agreed by the stakeholders, then I moved to researching, collecting data and conceptualizing widgets for the apps.
Research
I spent a week using widgets from various apps, testing, gaining insights from avid widgets users and gathering various widgets that's been generally used.
User Interviews
I asked users what they look for in a shortcut when using the Global Relay App
Users want to be able to personalize widgets
Users want to access their favourite contacts quickly
Users want to see all the core functions; contacts, call, chats, archiving together
Competitive Analysis
I looked at how other apps make use of colour, touch spots, variety of widgets offered per feature, information density and interactivity of each widget.
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Project Planning
There are various sizes of widgets across platforms and various core functions in the GR App. To streamline the process, I built a table that included the size and type and widgets to be tackled. I ran a workshop with the stakeholders and aligned on which can be approached first. Then I advised stakeholders on how we can plan the widgets design and development and offer UX effort estimates.
Low Fidelity Testing
From the pain points, I focused on designing 2 different widgets; global widgets, favourites and establishing shortcuts; icon shortcuts and action button shortcuts. For starters, it would give a complete experience for users. I prototyped low-fi widgets to test the touch spots and overall feel on iOS mobile.
Favourites Widgets
Global Widgets
Icon Shortcut
UX Flows
Once I was able to establish a clear look for the widget, I built the rest of the flows
Favourites Widgets: Personalized widgets
Calling from a favourite widget
Global Widgets
Setting up shortcuts
Guerilla Testing
I used these prototypes to test on some internal Global Relay users. Based on the data gathered, it aligned with the pain points users were facing. It also gave me more ideas to iterate and refine the wireframes.
UI Handoff and Learnings
I used these prototypes to test on some internal Global Relay users. Based on the data gathered, it aligned with the pain points users were facing. It also gave me more ideas to iterate and refine the wireframes.