Introduction

 

Problem

As working remotely becomes more practical, it's important for people to know what public spaces they can work from. These spaces can range from coffee shops to libraries to outdoor parks. A problem arises from the wide array of public spaces; some spaces may be perfect for one person but create a less than ideal work environment for the next. 

Solution

Through the help of Bitesize UX, I performed a modified Google Ventures Design Sprint, conducted by myself, for a new startup called PostUp. I created an app that allows users to open our app and find the best place they can do their remote work from. I completely tailored PostUp to the users’ wants and needs when working. The interface displays all the vital information someone is looking for. The goal is having the user find a location with as few clicks as possible, but still have all the pertinent information available. Users can set their preferences to their desired work environment, time, and amenities.

Traveling to a new destination? Change your location to see the best place to PostUp next. Have a meeting with a client? Adjust your search preference to get the best atmosphere to make your meeting perfect. Whatever your work needs are, PostUp is here to make your next work day better.

 

Role

As a UX/UI designer, I synthesized the data collected provided by Bitesize UX, ideated possible solutions, designed the mobile app, created an interactive prototype, and performed usability tests.

Tools

Pen/Paper, Sketch, InVision, Photoshop

 
 

Research

 

Bitesize UX provided important information from current users of PostUp. I asked users, “Tell us about your experience finding a public place to do remote work from.” From the statements of 9 users, I found there was a wide range of experiences while working in public spaces. People were looking for a combination of different amenities: 

  • Wifi

  • Bathrooms

  • Crowdedness 

  • Noise level

  • Can I work there for free?

  • Food 

  • Coffee 

 
 

Synthesis

 

Persona

While moving forward with creating PostUp, I focused on Nina’s behavior, goals, and frustrations. Nina perfectly combines all the needs and wants that other users had expressed in the interviews.

“Nina” PostUp persona provided by Bitesize UX

 
 

What I Learned

To summarize the synthesis, I found based on the interviews provided users needed a better app to find a remote working spot tailored to their needs. Their current options available online to find a remote place to work are not good enough. Users want an app that will allow them to see what a workspace looks like and offers before traveling to.

Common Motivations:

  • Spend less time looking for spots

  • Know the amenities and crowdedness beforehand

Common Concerns: 

  • Lack of amenities

  • Too loud

  • Too crowded

Reframing the problem

From these insights, I found a better way to frame the problem using How Might We? questions. I asked myself...

  • How might we provide users with the amenities available for each location without having to show up?

  • How might we help people find a PostUp spot in other cities?

  • How might we show users if a PostUp location is suitable for their work style/needs?

Mapping Solutions

After developing How Might We questions, I created two end-end experiences. 

Quickly find a place online before showing up

  • Nina → Opens app → Views map → Views all open PostUp spots → Can filter via amenities and crowdedness → Select place → View pictures → See available amenities → View available seats → Quickly find a place online before showing up

Find a place with basic amenities/desired filters

  • Nina → Opens app → Selects search function → Opens and selects desired filters → Search → Scrolls through PostUp venues with added filters → Find a place with basic amenities/desired filters

 
 

Synthesis

 

Competitor Analysis

After mapping solutions, I went to the app store to find and analyze competitors. After some research, I found my major competitors were: 

  1. Yelp - Intuitive interface for finding food and service options (movers, plumbers, auto repair, etc.) Displays option with a map with reviews.

  2. Google Maps - When you search for an option, it will display the location and the reviews and basic information. 

 
 

Design

 

Sketches

I created a rough sketch for the mapping created earlier “Quickly find a place online before showing up.” Afterwards, I selected the most crucial screen for the app, the filters page, and designed the screen before and after it.

 

“Quickly, find a place online before showing up,” rough sketch

Crucial solution sketch of filters page 

 

Wireframes

Using the crucial solution sketches, I created a lightweight, sketched wireframe that I used to build my prototype. I focused on including important UI elements like a map, checkbox filters, and a pop-up screen for PostUp locations.

 

9 panel storyboard sketch of PostUp with the crucial screens includes

 

High Fidelity Screens

I focused on making PostUp minimal in design, yet intuitive in function. I only wanted a few screens for users to find the best place to work easily and efficiently. 

Design Decisions

  • Preference toggles - I wanted the user to select or deselect preferences easily so they could find a PostUp spot as quickly as possible.

  • Map - I implemented a map for users to have a better understanding of how close a PostUp location was

  • Color - I kept the PostUp green color and carried this throughout the app, keeping the design minimal with few distractions.

  • Icons - I added well known icons for users to quickly see what PostUp spots had or did not have. If some users did not know what each icon depicted, selecting on a location allows users to see in text what each icon depicted.

High fidelity sketches made using Sketch

 
 

Prototype

Using InVision, I transferred my Sketch files into an interactive prototype. Prototype link

Prototype made using InVision 

 

Evaluation

Recruitment 

I recruited 5 participants from my direct friends who I knew worked from home. I conducted each usability test in person in my living room or in a coffee shop.

Tasks 

  1. Sign into the PostUp app using your email.

  2. Set your preferences for PostUp remote working locations. 

  3. Look through the map at your PostUp options.

  4. Change your filters to adjust for new working conditions.

  5. Reserve a spot at “Rival Bros Coffee”.

Findings 

Overall, participants enjoyed the design of the app. Participants found the preferences function intuitive and easy to tailor to their needs. 

The Users Like 

  • Use of a map - All the users lived in Philadelphia, so they knew where these PostUp locations were. 

  • Preferences - Users liked how they could change their preferences in order to adjust what their workday needed.

The Users Dislike

  • “Not free” option - Some users had questions about what “Not Free” meant. Rephrasing this would be important. 

  • Maps current location indicator - Users had mentioned adding a “you are here” icon would be helpful in understanding where exactly they were as well. 

  • Icon continuity - Users like the icons for amenities but voiced putting them in the same spot on each page would be helpful - Putting the amenity icons in the same place for each PostUp location would create a better user experience, as users would know where to look each time for that specific amenity

 
 

Conclusion

In the end, I created an app that allows users to find the best place for them to work remotely, efficiently. Before users even leave the door, they will open PostUp and find the best location to work at, no matter if they are in their hometown or if they are across the country. Having the option to change their preferences quickly allows users to tailor their search for whatever their work needs may be that day. 

What I Learned

Value of Users’ Needs

Listening to users' needs helped forge PostUp. Focusing on what users needed led me to create the preferences function, a critical part of the Postup experience that was previously missing. 

Value of Feedback from Users

Conducting usability tests with participants offered great insights into the user’s perspective. With the help of usability tests, I added UI elements to make the user experience more seamless.

Next Steps

In the future, I plan to create an option to view the menus for PostUp locations. Right now, users can see everything else that a location offers except for a drink/food menu. At the moment, there is a possibility that a user could arrive at a location that has food available but then could be disappointed with the food options. Adding a drink/food menu would allow users to know before choosing a location what food options would be available.