1.2 Design Thinking
As members of the March 2020 UX-UI Bootcamp for Ironhack, we were asked to develop exercises and challenges that will allow us to delve into the world we will try to become professionals in. This is the second of this series.
The Client
For this particular challenge, we were asked to identify and fix a problem with transport apps UrbanGo and/or City Mapper. They both allow users to map routes and courses throughout the cities of their choice and take into account different travel methods, such as public or private transport.
The Problem
These apps work well and are generally functional. However, there seems to be a hole in the overall experience: Payment. The app, despite letting you know which transport is convenient to use, does not include nor provide proper information regarding payment for the trips. This greatly troubles users, as the methods for boarding, and ultimately getting from point A to point B, become tedious and overwhelming.
The Users
For this particular exercise, it seems that international was the way to go. I interviewed users from 6 different countries, who are constantly abroad. They all agreed that the major problem was the fact that even in our globalized society, there are still major issues with language barriers and unification of processes that could easily be done.
In the end, all humans want the same thing: To be able to move around seamlessly.
The Solution
It would appear after the research was done, that the thing to solve it all would require some sort of unification process, in which one single method could be used, app and city-wide, to pay for and access all modes of public transportation. This may seem utopic, but in reality, is not all that far-fetched.
City governments and urbanists are always on the lookout for ways to more easily and effectively control and better mobility. So, why not us?
The Prototyping
Make it messy. Make it functional. Then make it pretty.
For this first prototype, I redesigned an already existing screen, to add a button that will allow access into the new function for the universal pass. This pass will work on all public transport and will be able to be recharged with any credit card or online payment service, such as Paypal.
The button will display a second screen to the user with their card. If flipped, they will be able to scan it through any system worldwide. It also includes a unique serial number, that will be able to be used at the tollbooth or machine, if the scan option is not available.
Underneath, the user will be able to view their remaining funds in both the local and their home currency. There is a second button, where users will be able to consult the average costs for the country and city they are in.
There will be an add funds button on the bottom, as well as a save button, to add the card to their pictures, or a share button, to send to contacts or add to Wallet. (The wrongful sharing might be a problem to be worked out.)
There is also a prototype of the Add Funds Screen, which will, in turn, allow the user to locate the nearest point they can purchase a physical version of the card if necessary.
The Learning Curve
This exercise taught me that for something to look, feel and work seamlessly, a lot of research has to be done. A lot has to be torn down, and a lot has to be disrupted. Things have to be put down on paper, despite how obvious they might seem, because that could be where the change will have to happen, and where the problem will have to be solved. I look forward to testing and re-testing this, until it’s functional and ready to go.