Soletrain Running Coach
Soletrain is a running app designed to help people track their progress and feel motivated in their runs. Users can build a customised plan to train for running events so they can achieve their fitness goals and stay on track.
Time
Dec/Jan ’20/’21, 6 Weeks
Project Basis
Individual Project
Focus
Interface/Interaction Design, UX, Usability Testing
Tools
Figma, Adobe Illustrator
Summary
The Challenge
‘Iterate, Iterate, Iterate’
The purpose of this project was to learn and apply the 8 interaction design principles to a digital interface, and iterate over and over again to create a highly resolved design. The challenge here was to push the design as far as it could go to a professional quality interface and experience through repeated user testing and refinement.
The Process
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1. Research
Initial identificiation of subject matter and design precedents
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2. Iteration One
Created an initial prototype, applying interaction design principles
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3. Test
Usability testing of concept to form basis for ongoing developments
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4. Refine
Made changes to the design and interaction of the app based on testing outcomes
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5. Repeat
Repeat the process to achieve a resolved, refined prototype through iterative design
The Outcome
Performing multiple rounds of user testing and iterating several times over allowed me to get into the nitty gritty of interaction design. The changes started out more broad then became more detailed as the design was refined further.
I learned how to use different metrics to measure the effectiveness of the changes I was making which allowed me to feel confident that any issues had been resolved by the final iteration. This helped me feel more purposeful in the way my design progressed and significantly improved the overall outcome.
1. Research
Concept & Design Precedents
Daily Burn, Nike Run Club & Strava App Designs
I chose to create a running app as I was in the process of training for my first half marathon, and had been unimpressed with the options available for creating a personalised training plans.
I analysed existing apps I had used as well as a few others to get a sense of what common functionality I could explore in my design.
Nike Run Club
High quality visuals throughout the app, but a lot of different content and features to navigate
No training plan option
Strava
Not specifically designed for running
Training plans are only available with a premium membership
2. Design
Sketch Prototype
I mocked up some low fidelity wireframes to form a blue print for my first iteration of the prototype, mapping out the users flow through the app to perform 3 core functions I wanted to develop:
Key Functions
1. Record a quick start, timed or set distance run
2. See run history, including stats and route details
3. Create a week by week training plan for an upcoming running event, customised to the users preferences
Figma Prototype
Pages, Features & Flows:
Open animation
Start a run
Timed run
Build a plan
Record a run from plan
Home screen
Start a timed run