Uncover is a lifestyle magazine that helps readers explore hidden gems and events in the tri-city area. It highlights local businesses, unique places, and seasonal activities that bring the community to life.

Problem

Busy individuals struggle to find engaging and relevant articles quickly due to the overwhelming amount of information in magazines and news apps, which can be time-consuming and distracting. Many apps fail to provide tailored content, making it difficult for users to discover articles aligned with their interests.

Solution

The solution is to create a clean and simple design that ensures readers can easily access what they need. A preference list will allow users to select the types of articles they are interested in, enabling personalized and efficient content delivery.

Design Process

Research

I conducted research, including surveys, empathy maps, and user personas. The survey had 11 targeted questions to understand user needs, preferences, and frustrations. These insights helped identify key points, such as challenges in discovering relevant content and navigating apps and provided direction for creating a more user-focused solution.

In addition, I also conducted a competitive analysis and a SWOT analysis on key competitors. This helped identify useful features and common shortcomings in existing magazine apps, providing valuable insights to shape a more effective and user-friendly solution.

User Flows and Wireframes

I developed user flows and wireframes based on the research findings, to map out the app's structure and functionality.

Visual Design and Branding

To develop the app's visual identity, I created a mood board to establish the brand's tone and style. From this, I designed a cohesive color palette, selected typography, and crafted unique design elements that reflect the brand's identity. These visual choices ensure consistency and appeal across the app's interface.

Interactive Prototype

I created an interactive prototype to showcase the interactions within the app. One of the screens allows users to select their preferred article topics, ensuring a personalized experience tailored to their interests. All screens feature a clean and elegant design, enhancing usability and maintaining a cohesive visual aesthetic.

In addition to selecting topics of interest, users can bookmark articles they like, and search for specific content, enhancing their personalized reading experience.

User Testing and Iteration

In-person user testing was conducted with participants who regularly use mobile apps to access news and articles. During the test, users interacted with the prototype while being observed, and their feedback was collected through discussions about the app's functionality. This testing revealed the need for a term of use checkbox during account creation and a confirmation message after registration. These insights led to design adjustments to enhance clarity and guide users through the account's creation.

Key Takeaways

The design of the app enhanced user engagement by offering personalized recommendations and a clearer, more intuitive onboarding process. This led to a faster and easier experience, increased user satisfaction, and a higher number of accounts on the platform. The project taught me the importance of listening to user feedback and applying it to designs to improve usability, making the app better with each update.