Featured by tejalgsampat

Abstract

We are more connected than we used to be but people are becoming disengaged from the real world. Are smartphones a blessing or a bane? That depends on how we use it. Being hooked to a smartphone while interacting with family or friends is a definite no-no.

To address this issue, I propose designing an application that allows neglected users to send anonymous nudges to obsessive smartphone user that are preoccupied with their smartphones and are in their close proximity. This allows them to express their feelings without upsetting or embarrassing anyone. The application will leverage lean UX methodologies to quantify smartphone usage to make people aware of their distractive behavior.

The goal of the application is to influence behavior through nudges, prompts and challenge the users in making positive behavioral changes.

Keywords: user experience design, nudges and prompts in design, human-computer interaction, reduce smartphone use, information design, icon design, mobile application, iOS

March 17, 2015 by tejalgsampat

Revised App Designs:

Once Version 1 of the application was partially design, I decided to user test the application using a basic hotspot based Hi-fi prototype with potential users and decided to make the following changes based on observation and feedback:

Changed some terminology (So it appeal more to the target audience)
Added a search box (As a back-up if friends didn’t show up on the list)
Added an option to adjust the time for each challenge
Provided feedback to the sender when recipient accepted a challenge
Tagged emotions for recipients
Added a walkthrough to explain the features in the app
Adjusted the icons based on feedback

Below are the revised designs:

March 8, 2015March 8, 2015 by tejalgsampat

User Research

Online Survey

User Interview – Participant 1

User Interview – Participant 2

User Interview – Participant 3

Summary of User Interviews conducted between 3 – 10 March 2015:

Pros:

4 of 4 users preferred the app narrowing down the people you can send timeOuts to based on location
1 of the 4 users suggested they might use the challenges for fun and challenge each other/compete
3 of 4 users were most likely to use “social media challenge”
2 of 4 users thought the wording when you receive the emoji is hilarious
1 of users users commented that it might be a great way for mom’s to send emoji’s to their kids ( believes her mom would use this app all the time
4 of 4 users liked the overall theme and Emojis
2 of 4 users were happy they could avoid confrontation
3 of 4 users like the app being passive aggressive and getting your emotions across
2 of 4 users had positive responses to all challenges
1 of 4 users thought it helps find out who your real friends are
3 of 4 users believed it will be quick to use, once all functions work
1 of two users felt monetary incentive a interesting (in a good way)

Problem Areas:

4 of 4 users need a walkthrough to understand different features in the app – Priority 1
1 of 4 users said: If you tap on social media, the user expects to see suggestion for which social media app to block.
3 of 4 users were not sure how within reach(Proximity based challenge) works – Priority 1
1 of 4 user felt 15 seconds to decline a challenge was long – Suggested a 10 seconds timeOut
1 of 4 users Needs a indication to be able to take urgent calls when timed out
2 of 4 user felt decide later is a option after you send the emoji
3 of 4 users were not sure what each emoji was (although recognized them correctly)
1 of 4 users is confused by challenge names – Priority 1
2 of 4 users prefer a notification over the app taking over the home screen when you receive an timeOut
3 of 4 users didn’t want to give a $1 if you can’t put a timeframe on the timeOut – But maybe more likely to put down the phone
1 of 4 users questioned: What if the timeOut feels like spam if its anonymous
2 of 4 users need a back button – Priority 1

March 8, 2015March 8, 2015 by tejalgsampat

Summary of User Interviews conducted between 3 – 10 March 2015

Pros:

4 of 4 users preferred the app narrowing down the people you can send timeOuts to based on location
1 of the 4 users suggested they might use the challenges for fun and challenge each other/compete
3 of 4 users were most likely to use “social media challenge”
2 of 4 users thought the wording when you receive the emoji is hilarious
1 of users users commented that it might be a great way for mom’s to send emoji’s to their kids ( believes her mom would use this app all the time
4 of 4 users liked the overall theme and Emojis
2 of 4 users were happy they could avoid confrontation
3 of 4 users like the app being passive aggressive and getting your emotions across
2 of 4 users had positive responses to all challenges
1 of 4 users thought it helps find out who your real friends are
3 of 4 users believed it will be quick to use, once all functions work
1 of two users felt monetary incentive a interesting (in a good way)

Problem Areas:

4 of 4 users need a walkthrough to understand different features in the app – Priority 1
1 of 4 users said: If you tap on social media, the user expects to see suggestion for which social media app to block.
3 of 4 users were not sure how within reach(Proximity based challenge) works – Priority 1
1 of 4 user felt 15 seconds to decline a challenge was long – Suggested a 10 seconds timeOut
1 of 4 users Needs a indication to be able to take urgent calls when timed out
2 of 4 user felt decide later is a option after you send the emoji
3 of 4 users were not sure what each emoji was (although recognized them correctly)
1 of 4 users is confused by challenge names – Priority 1
2 of 4 users prefer a notification over the app taking over the home screen when you receive an timeOut
3 of 4 users didn’t want to give a $1 if you can’t put a timeframe on the timeOut – But maybe more likely to put down the phone
1 of 4 users questioned: What if the timeOut feels like spam if its anonymous
2 of 4 users need a back button – Priority 1

March 8, 2015 by tejalgsampat

User Interview – 3

Participant 3 – Andrew L

Summary:

Likes:

The challenges and how easy it is to use
Helps find out who your real friends are
Look and feel is good
Will be quick to use, once all functions work
Monetary incentive a interesting

Potential Problem Areas:

Not sure what each emoji is
Doesn’t want to give a $1 if you can put a timeframe on the timeOut – But maybe more likely to put down the phone
What if the timeOut feels like spam if its anonymous
Needs a back button

Interview:

Moderator’s Task Sheet:

Today, We will be testing the TimeOut app, which aims at reducing smartphone use.

Device: iPhone 6

Usability Tool: Thinking Aloud usability tool along with EPIC Model will be used as a basis for using testing

Test Subject Information:

Undergraduate Computer Engineering Student, 20

Quiet, Doesn’t face such situations often

Andriod user

iPhone Usage: For eg. Hooked to phone, checks phone occasionally, gets annoyed

when someone uses their phone excessively.

Task#1 Open the app by clicking on its icon from the Home Screen. Review the

wireframe and give me a brief description of what you think the app does.

Goals: The user needs to understand they can send anonymous nudges to obsessive

smartphone users in close proximity

Notes:

Feels its a game with characters

Task #2 Imagine you are sitting at a café with a group of friends and there is a person

you are trying to talk to who is hooked to their phone. You are annoyed but don’t want

to embarrass him or her, you decide to send them a nudge using the time out app.

First, Open the application and select the person you would like to send an emoji to.

Next select an emoji that best suits your emotions for this situation.

Q1. Why did you pick [Emoji Name]?

If the user used the spinner to increase to decrease the level of the expression,

Q2. What do you think the purpose of the spinner is?

Goals:

• The user can effectively pick the person they would like to send the emoji to.

• The user is able to understand what each emoji signifies

• Analysis which is the most used and unused emoji

Notes:

Blue: Boredom

Red: Angry

Orange: Shock

You always have a certain emotions. Hesitantly replies based on the situations. The behavior is rude. Picks orange for annoyance

Task#3 Now that you have selected the emoji you would like to send, send it to your

friend. You can add a challenge to the nudge if you like.

Q1. Will you want to send a nudge or not? Why?

Q2. Which challenge would you like to send and why?

Goals:

• Do the users want to give a challenge?

• Which challenge is most picked?

• Does the user understand the terminology?

Notes:

– Want to be able to customize the amount of time the friend should get a timeOut

– Especially for meetings

– Feels proximity is more like when they are with you they can use their phones

– Curious how that would work – doesn’t want to give a $1 if you can put a timeframe on the timeOut

Task#4 The receiver gets locked out of their phone for 15 seconds, but right after that

they start using their phone. How would you respond?

Q1. Send another nudge, ignore them confront them?

For this task lets assume you decide to send them another nudge. For this, open up the

app, use the spinner to increase the emotion level and send it to the person.

Goals:

• To see if the user notices the emotion level is increased by default

• Does the user send the same emoji or picks another emoji

Notes:

Ability to send messages in addition to emojis

Task#5 Imagine you are the receiver of the [expression] emoji. What you do when you

receive the emoji and get blocked out for the app for 15 secs?

Pick one: Put down your phone, ignore the emoji or ask to see who send the emoji (get

angry). Explain Why?

Goals:

To see if the message of putting down the phone is communicated to the receiver

Notes:

Not sure if an app should take over, if an app tries to do too much – she would delete the app

suggests a notification or a timer

Follow up questions:

1. Would you use the TimeOut app in the future (please explain why or why not)?

Maybe

2. If you had a magic wand, how would you improve the TimeOut app?

Keep it quick but allow customization

3. What did you like about the TimeOut App?

Look and feel is good

Will be quick to use once all functions work

Monetary incentive a interesting

4. How likely are you to recommend this app to a friend or colleague (0=Not at all

likely, and 10=Very Likely)?

Maybe – 5 (if there is a tutorial)

March 8, 2015March 8, 2015 by tejalgsampat

User Interview – Participant 2

Participant 2 – Elizabeth S

Summary:

Likes:

The app narrowing down the people you can send timeOuts to based on location
Might use the challenges for fun and challenge each other/compete
Most likely to use social media
The wording when you receive the emoji is hilarious
Great way for mom’s to send emoji’s to their kids ( believes her mom would use this app all the time

Potential Problem Areas:

Needs a walkthrough to understand different features in the app
If you tap on social media, she expects to see suggestion for which social media app to block. People would be pass aggressive about
Not sure how within reach(Proximity based challenge) works
15 seconds to decline a challenge feels long – Suggests a 10 seconds
Needs a indication to be able to take urgent calls when timed out
Decide later is a option after you send the emoji

Interview:

Moderator’s Task Sheet:

Today, We will be testing the TimeOut app, which aims at reducing smartphone use.

Device: iPhone 6

Usability Tool: Thinking Aloud usability tool along with EPIC Model will be used as a basis for using testing

Test Subject Information:

Undergraduate Animation Student, 18

Extrovert, Bubbly, Doesn’t like to be confronted

iOS user

iPhone Usage: For eg. Hooked to phone, checks phone occasionally, gets annoyed

when someone uses their phone excessively.

Task#1 Open the app by clicking on its icon from the Home Screen. Review the

wireframe and give me a brief description of what you think the app does.

Goals: The user needs to understand they can send anonymous nudges to obsessive

smartphone users in close proximity

Notes:

She feels like it’s more like a social app and you need to know the people and they have done something to deserve a timeOut. More like hot or not

Task #2 Imagine you are sitting at a café with a group of friends and there is a person

you are trying to talk to who is hooked to their phone. You are annoyed but don’t want

to embarrass him or her, you decide to send them a nudge using the time out app.

First, Open the application and select the person you would like to send an emoji to.

Next select an emoji that best suits your emotions for this situation.

Q1. Why did you pick [Emoji Name]?

If the user used the spinner to increase to decrease the level of the expression,

Q2. What do you think the purpose of the spinner is?

Goals:

• The user can effectively pick the person they would like to send the emoji to.

• The user is able to understand what each emoji signifies

• Analysis which is the most used and unused emoji

Notes:

Based on the scenario, she was able to figure the function out. Needs a walkthrough rather than tutorials. Reads description when she doesn’t understand something. Wants a tutorial more like Tumblr

Blue: Annoyed

Red: Angry

Orange: Alarmed/Worried – Awww

With emojis people perceive it different and friends get it. So, the emoji explain themselves.

Task#3 Now that you have selected the emoji you would like to send, send it to your

friend. You can add a challenge to the nudge if you like.

Q1. Will you want to send a nudge or not? Why?

Q2. Which challenge would you like to send and why?

Goals:

• Do the users want to give a challenge?

• Which challenge is most picked?

• Does the user understand the terminology?

Notes:

– Would definitely use the degrees of boredom

– Finds it interesting to be able to adjust it

– Needs a indication that the slider would appear – likes to play around but a signifier is good

– More like snapshot – Sometimes I have had friends tell me about some functions

– Looking for an option to get back to home screen

– Abort action

Icon 1(app store) – Not sure – Some button Icon 2(phone) – Stop being on phone Icon 3(Scorecard) – Looks like a score – Rate something – Not sure icon 1 was an “A” – No idea it was something – Likes the explanations – If you tap on social media, she expects to see suggestion for which social media app to block. People would be pass aggressive about. – Glad it is anonymous – Confused about proximity – based timeOut – Feels like she has to pay the person – Might not use the challenges initially – Might use the challenges for fun and challenge each other/compete

Task#4 The receiver gets locked out of their phone for 15 seconds, but right after that

they start using their phone. How would you respond?

Q1. Send another nudge, ignore them confront them?

For this task lets assume you decide to send them another nudge. For this, open up the

app, use the spinner to increase the emotion level and send it to the person.

Goals:

• To see if the user notices the emotion level is increased by default

• Does the user send the same emoji or picks another emoji

Notes:

If she was next to the person, she would check to see if her friend received it and she would expect the friend to acknowledge it.

Is looking for a back button

Task#5 Imagine you are the receiver of the [expression] emoji. What you do when you

receive the emoji and get blocked out for the app for 15 secs?

Pick one: Put down your phone, ignore the emoji or ask to see who send the emoji (get

angry). Explain Why?

Goals:

To see if the message of putting down the phone is communicated to the receiver

Notes:

Not sure if an app should take over, if an app tries to do too much – she would delete the app

suggests a notification or a timer

Follow up questions:

1. Would you use the TimeOut app in the future (please explain why or why not)?

Super interested in the app. Especially, during group study.

2. If you had a magic wand, how would you improve the TimeOut app?

Not really sure. Likes it overall

3. What did you like about the TimeOut App?

Some people feel they don’t have self control, they can definitely benefit

4. How likely are you to recommend this app to a friend or colleague (0=Not at all

likely, and 10=Very Likely)?

Quite likely – 10

March 8, 2015March 8, 2015 by tejalgsampat

User Interview – Participant 1

Participant 1 – Felicia K

Summary:

Likes:

-Theme and Emojis

– The app narrowing down the people you can send timeOuts to based on location

-Is someone who doesn’t like to confront, likes the overall concept

-Positive response to all challenges

Potential Problem Areas:

– Needs a walkthrough to understand different features in the app

– Not sure what each emoji is (although recognizes correctly)

– Confused by challenge names

– Not sure how within reach(Proximity based challenge) works

– Needs a description to help understand what the app really does

– Prefers a notification over the app taking over the home screen when you receive an timeOut

Interview:

Moderator’s Task Sheet:

Today, We will be testing the TimeOut app, which aims at reducing smartphone use.

Device: iPhone 6

Usability Tool: Thinking Aloud usability tool along with EPIC Model will be used as a

basis for using testing

Test Subject Information:

Undergraduate Graphic Design Student, 22

Reserved, conscious what she was doing and scared of confrontation

iOS user

iPhone Usage: For eg. Hooked to phone, checks phone occasionally, gets annoyed

when someone uses their phone excessively.

Task#1 Open the app by clicking on its icon from the Home Screen. Review the

wireframe and give me a brief description of what you think the app does.

Goals: The user needs to understand they can send anonymous nudges to obsessive

smartphone users in close proximity

First perception of the app: An app that lets you block people

Notes:

First perception of the app: An app that lets you block people

Task #2 Imagine you are sitting at a café with a group of friends and there is a person

you are trying to talk to who is hooked to their phone. You are annoyed but don’t want

to embarrass him or her, you decide to send them a nudge using the time out app.

First, Open the application and select the person you would like to send an emoji to.

Next select an emoji that best suits your emotions for this situation.

Q1. Why did you pick [Emoji Name]?

If the user used the spinner to increase to decrease the level of the expression,

Q2. What do you think the purpose of the spinner is?

Goals:

• The user can effectively pick the person they would like to send the emoji to.

• The user is able to understand what each emoji signifies

• Analysis which is the most used and unused emoji

Notes:

Initially suggested she wasn’t sure what each emoji was:

Blue: Tired

Red: Angry

Orange: Stressed

Was looking for some signifier that said what each expression was.

Based on the scenario: Task 2: She decides to go with Blue emoji – Bored

She has faced a situation where she was spending time with friends (one specific person) – She usually tries start a conversation or just read a book

Task#3 Now that you have selected the emoji you would like to send, send it to your

friend. You can add a challenge to the nugde if you like.

Q1. Will you want to send a nudge or not? Why?

Q2. Which challenge would you like to send and why?

Goals:

• Do the users want to give a challenge?

• Which challenge is most picked?

• Does the user understand the terminology?

Notes:

Likes the idea of changing the intensity of the emoji. She decides to start lower down and then increase the intensity gradually based on the scenario

Needs a walkthrough to clearly understand the features

Icon 1(app store) – No text

Icon 2(phone) – No phone

Icon 3(Scorecard) – count down

Get curiously and starts asking questions

Doesn’t understand the challenge names

Looks at the icon for proximity – not sure what within reach means/Lay-off

Feels the friend can use the phone when they are with you

Feels all the money is coming from her. Not sure if the app partners up with Starbucks

Not comfortable with swipe up to send the emoji – tries swiping side ways (suggests a notification)

Some animation suggesting the action

Task#4 The receiver gets locked out of their phone for 15 seconds, but right after that

they start using their phone. How would you respond?

Q1. Send another nudge, ignore them confront them?

For this task lets assume you decide to send them another nudge. For this, open up the

app, use the spinner to increase the emotion level and send it to the person.

Goals:

• To see if the user notices the emotion level is increased by default

• Does the user send the same emoji or picks another emoji

Notes:

If she was next to the person, she would check to see if her friend received it and she would expect the friend to acknowledge it.

Is looking for a back button

Task#5 Imagine you are the receiver of the [expression] emoji. What you do when you

receive the emoji and get blocked out for the app for 15 secs?

Pick one: Put down your phone, ignore the emoji or ask to see who send the emoji (get

angry). Explain Why?

Goals:

To see if the message of putting down the phone is communicated to the receiver

Notes:

Not sure if an app should take over, if an app tries to do too much – she would delete the app

suggests a notification or a timer

Follow up questions:

1. Would you use the TimeOut app in the future (please explain why or why not)?

If it was available on the app store, sure. If the receiver didn’t need the app that would be even better.

2. If you had a magic wand, how would you improve the TimeOut app?

Would like to see an option that allow you to give yourself a timeOut

3. What did you like about the TimeOut App?

Wants tags below each emoji that suggests what each emoji is. Because doesn’t want to miscommunicate as she is representing her self.

Maybe the app could benefit from expressions in addition to emojis

Not sure of the title for add challenge/Doesn’t understand the wording suggests saying send an app challenge

4. How likely are you to recommend this app to a friend or colleague (0=Not at all

likely, and 10=Very Likely)?

Quite likely – 8

March 8, 2015March 8, 2015 by tejalgsampat

User Research – Online Survey

Online Survey to understand user habits and recruit them for user testing:

What do you use your smartphone regularly for?

How often do you use your phone?

Have you ever been confronted for using your phone in social situations? (café’s, parties etc)

Have you ever been confronted someone for using their phones in social situations?

Have you taken any steps to reduce your smartphone usage?

If so, what are they?

I try to be conscious as to when it’s appropriate to use my phone. Otherwise, I use my phone for productivity so I will always have it on me.
Powering down, placing the device in an area that is hard to access
Leaving phone at home, turning off internet/wifi and just setting personal limits on how often to check phone
Leaving it at home
I try to be conscious as to when it’s appropriate to use my phone. Otherwise, I use them for productivity so I will always have it on me.
Setting a timer before study, try to avoid using phone during that period time or shut it down or delete useless applications like games.

Have you ever gotten into a fight because you or your companion was ignored due to excessive smartphone use? (For eg. One of you was hooked to the phone when the other one was trying to have a conversation)

How did you handle the situation?

Apologized and put down the phone
It wasn’t a full on fight. My bf just told me to put the phone down.
My son – I tell him to put it down when someone is talking to him. (I know I am out of your age range, but I have a 12 year old son who is addicted to his phone)

Are you aware of any apps that help reduce smartphone use?