Side Control Mobile Concept

Description

This was a a concept piece for a mobile app intended for use by practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). The intention was to develop an app that simplified the search for a place to practice BJJ and would provide a way to track one's progress, as well as connect with other practitioners.

UX/UI Designer

Responsibilities

User Research, User Interface Design, Usability Testing 

The Problem

BJJ has seen a rapid growth in popularity since the early 1990’s, largely in part to the even more impressive rise in prominence of MMA throughout the world. Although it has existed since the late 1880’s, it’s late introduction into the mainstream have resulted in a lack of adequate resources. The most prevailing issue revolved around traveling, and the lack of familiarity with the reputation of the local schools, as well as not being able to access schedules in the nearby area, making proper time management difficult.

The solution

My vision was to create a collaborative environment that fostered the needs of the individual practitioner, in a way that would be beneficial for both the recreational practitioner to the dedicated professional. With that core principal at the heart, I envisioned an application that would promote individual growth, continuing education, proper planning, broad resources, and a sense of community.

Requirements included

  • Easy to use interface, that flows easily from one option to another

  • A way to track and update progress, with any necessary notes

  • Forum/messaging to maintain community

  • Search function with easy accessibility to scheduling information

  • Calendar to keep track of events

Design

The final design evolved from numerous sketches, wireframes and rapid prototyping with a  one-week timeframe. This process laid the groundwork for the development of a high fidelity mockup. Improvements on the note and video section were made in order to coincide with future lessons and continued development. The final result is a 48-screen clickable prototype.

Wireframing

Wireframing

High Fidelity Mockups

High Fidelity Mockups

take-aways

  • How to alter and differentiate my approach depending on whether the project calls for individual attention or the topic as a whole.

  • How to bring it back to the needs of the specific individual (persona), and not approach it in regards to a genre.

  • How to establish an appropriate list of needs, and then, through creating a hierarchy, simplifying that list.

Tools & techniques

Pen & paper, Sketch, Invision, POP, Photoshop

User interviews, Use Cases, Scenarios, Personas, Competitive/Comparative Analysis, Affinity Diagrams, Card Sorting