Usability Testing
Due to our project's due date falling on the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend, we were unable to secure participants for prototype usability testing.
We would like to conduct at least three tests to identify any remaining issues and make further refinements to ensure optimal performance.
Don't be shy, drop me a message : )
Some Notable Insights:
Pain Points:
Users can't reset their password
The length of the questionnaire
Fear of losing progress as they go
Unclear terminology
Pleasurable Interactions:
All three users enjoyed the thought-provoking questions
Ability to upload and securely store media
Users valued the ability to digitally organize multiple documents.
Meet Jessica:
Fairly recent mother of two.
Would like to memorialize her life in her own way.
Grieving the recent loss of her grandmother and the knowledge that passed with her.
Feels that traditional end-of-life planning is depressing and overwhelming.
Convenience
“Anything of a more serious and heavy nature, I tend to do on my computer”
Memorialization
“It would be nice to have a way to share things in my own way”
Foresight
“I’d probably use something like this when I start a family”
Security
“Security is a gamble whether it’s digital or physical, but having strong security measures makes me feel better”
The Process
Responsive Site
Research
Next Steps
Design
Define
Research and UI/UX
Duration
Role
Tools
3 Week Sprint
Figma, Figjam
Collaborators
Jade Faelan, Theraune Casey
Competitive Analysis
User Interviews
Primary Persona
Usability Testing
Current Sitemap
New Sitemap
Task Flow
Account/Profile Page
Home Page
Dashboard Page
Features:
Account holder info
Subscription level
Toggle switch for two-factor authentication
Features:
Hamburger menu to access other sections
Button to add new entry
Option to edit existing entries
Features:
View storage analytics
Section for notifications
Section to view current awards
Lo-fi Wireframes
Hi-Fi Prototype
FIN
Overview
My AfterLife is, at its base level, a secure digital platform designed to store essential documents for end-of-life planning. But it’s more than just a vault—it’s a meaningful way to preserve your legacy, creating a digital time capsule for future generations.
While the concept is strong, the current version of the app leaves much to be desired. With two navigation categories, duplicate icons serving different functions, and an onboarding process featuring over a hundred questions, we set out to streamline and refine the dashboard for a better user experience.
During our initial meeting with the client, we gathered some crucial insights. It became clear that the product, in its current form, was considered unattractive and difficult to use. As she put it, "When I say MVP, I really mean the MINIMUM viable product."
What we learned:
A dedicated team of developers was in place, ready to bring our final product to life.
The site functioned on a subscription model with three tiers: the basic tier allowed users to store documents and answer time capsule questions, while the premium tier offered up to 10 gigabytes of media storage.
The client envisioned a site that would be fully compatible across all platforms.
With this information in mind, we developed a Gantt Chart to map out the plan for the upcoming weeks.
Initially, we had to determine what type of site to build. While it might have seemed straightforward to simply redesign the desktop version, we soon learned that our client wanted a mobile-friendly option as well—making it clear that a one-size-fits-all approach simply would not suffice.
We narrowed it down to two main options:
After careful consideration, we chose to implement a hybrid app with a mobile-first design. This approach ensures a seamless, intuitive experience across all devices, while also accommodating users who prefer a larger screen when uploading sensitive documents or media.
Our primary methods of competitive and comparative research included a SWOT analysis and a feature inventory, both of which are shown below.
Drawing from the user list provided by the client, we interviewed six individuals, ages ranging from their early 20s to late 50s. Their insights gave us a clearer understanding of the app’s target audience, the motivation behind their interest, and their expectations while using it.
Some Key Insights
Once we had a comprehensive understanding of the user base and the operational constraints, we focused on identifying the key issues within the existing site. This allowed us to establish the information architecture for the new mobile app.
This is the current layout of the dashboard.
Clicking on one of the steps essentially redirects you to the original onboarding flow, resulting in the same information being entered in two separate locations.
Sidenote: Almost immediately after receiving our accounts from the client, I discovered that the two-factor authentication sign-in option was not functional and proceeded to lock myself out of my account.
We asked the participants to complete two tasks:
"Complete" the onboarding process by scrolling through and answering any question they felt comfortable with to maintain privacy.
Upload and view a piece of media.
Two out of three users took almost an hour to scroll through the 100+ questions within the onboarding process, as a result they were unable to complete the secondary task.
To gain insight into the existing structure and evaluate the current information architecture, I made a comprehensive sitemap of the dashboard, pictured below.
We streamlined the main navigation into four key categories, eliminating redundancies, while ensuring the new structure would be consistent across all platforms.
Given our three-week time constraint, we prioritized developing Jessica's task flow specifically for the new onboarding process. We structured the process by breaking each segment into three questions, aiming to boost user retention. The questions alternated between lighter topics like 'Fun' and 'Traditions,' and more serious ones like 'Legal' and 'Funeral Planning.'
Alternatively, since the base subscription level provides access only to the document-related features, we also created a task flow for that functionality.
With everything in place, we were ready to start wireframing! My partners focused on designing the screens for the new dashboard and the six main sections under the home tab, while I was responsible for creating the wireframes for the account and settings pages. This division of work allowed us to efficiently cover all key areas of the project.
GA Collection - Client Project
My AfterLife Redesign
Making the Onboarding Easy, So Offboarding's Breezy.
Meeting the Client
Phase 1: Research
Hybrid App
Fluid grid layout
Single line codebase
Media queries for breakpoints
Adaptable for different screen sizes
Has mobile-specific optimizations.
Tailored features for mobile with some mobile-first design.
Cross-platform functionality
vs.
Phase 2: Define
"In the end, we all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will."
-Chuck Palahniuk, Diary
Phase 3: Design
Next Steps
Resources
One of the main pain points expressed by our users was the absence of supporting information to guide them through the creation process (e.g., how to create a legal will, designate Power of Attorney, etc.).
While we've included brief informational snippets throughout the prototype to address the immediate need, we'd like to develop a more comprehensive resources page.
Responsive Design
Design customized versions of the app for various screen sizes to ensure a smooth, responsive experience on mobile (Materials), tablet, and desktop.