App:
BalanceMe
Why stress over trying to manage all the errands, workouts, child care, and self-care by yourself? You do enough of that every day.
Let us take care and balance you.
Role:
Researcher
App Designer
UX Designer
Team:
Team of 3
Clients:
Parents (potential)
Busy workers (potential)
People new to an area (potential)
Time:
Fall 2022
(2 eight-week sprints)
Project Challenge!
It was a challenge figuring out how to provide a service that wasn't a copy of something already made. There are plenty of health tracking apps and fitness apps, but none to balance your mental, physical, and social well-being.
None that balance you.
What Was the Agenda?
1
App Development
2
Features
3
Research
4
Next Steps
1. App Development
User Flows
Map Feature - get connected with events in your area
Contacts & Chat Feature - be social, even if just for a few minutes online or out and about
Calendar Feature -keep track of your events, meetups, and activities
Wireframes & Iterations
Example: Chat
Wireframe V.1
Wireframe V.2
Wireframe V.3
Wireframe V.5 - Final, post-user testing
We developed the chat feature to satisfy the social and planning needs of users. Users may keep in contact with friends, coordinate free time, do activities together, and invite friends to their plans.
Why am I qualified to research, develop, and provide this app for users struggling to balance themselves?
Because I struggled through many of the same problems we heard from users. Like several of the users we interviewed, I struggled to balance time spent with friends, personal time for myself, and time to exercise.
Wireframes & Iterations
Example: Chat
Users enjoyed the look end feel of the app.
They enjoyed the functionality and the features, particularly Nearby Events and the Chat features.
2. Features
Chat Feature
Map Feature
Agenda Feature
Chat
- Connect with friends and family - Share plans - Remind users of shared activities with friends and family
Map
- Find local activities - Share meet-up locations - Keep track of meet-ups
Agenda
- Set up goals - See real-time progression of tasks - Stay informed of what activities help progress goals
3. Research
User Problems
While researching how we were going to make this app work for users, they brought up problems that were affecting their lives greatly. Here are just a few of their quotes:
Being Overwhelmed
[The pandemic has made my life] imbalanced. Being an introvert and having friends online helps because I can access them at any moment. I have focus issues, so when I’m supposed to be doing something important, I zone out and don’t get it done.
–Ryan, 21 (He/They)
Prioritization
I need alone time to recharge.
–Sandra, 41 (She/Her)
I’d like to exercise more. I’d like to link up with people within my area to do a walking group.
–Marah, 36 (She/Her)
Time
There are not enough hours in the day for uninterrupted rest. Not enough hours in the day for social life. My friends are moms now, so scheduling to meet can be very difficult. Other moms with similar ages don’t live
close by.”
–Helen, 39 (She/Her)
No, not really enough time to meet all responsibilities. Family is prioritized on the weekends, extended family. Not much downtime with friends.
–Julia, 46 (She/Her)
Exhaustion
Back in New York, my roommate and I were essential workers and were forced to work the entire lockdown. This affected the morale of everyone around us.
–Chris, 29 (She/They)
Meeting in Person Post-Pandemic/ Social Isolation
A lot of it is at work. All socialization was chit-chat with work people and friends I work with.
–Ray, 50 (He/Him)
Future Development: BalanceMe 2.0
Connect to Other Servies
Connect to services such as Apple Watch, social media platforms, etc.
Integrate with Third Parties
Integrate with third parties such as Open Table, Resy, or Ticket Master to make reservations in a user's event.
