Easy Fix
Easy Fix is my first project mockup for the Google UX certification program and will help users to search best options for mechanic shops. The search can be done by: Review, specialist, and in the area. The users can create a profile, share photos of their car, and will get in contact with the mechanic for maintenance, appointments, or repairs. Additionally have other futures like tips, car shows, and more.
Project duration: May 2022 to June 2022.
Project Overview
The Problem
Difficult to find a trusted mechanic in the area. Lack of social community to share tips and experiences from previous cars. Hard to explain the car problem to the mechanic by phone because clients don’t know the parts’ names.
The Goal
Design an app called Easy fix that allows users to search for a convenient mechanic in the area, make appointments and be able to share media for diagnostics. Create a social community where users can participate with tips and comments. Describe the car problem through media and share it with users or mechanics
My Role
I’m a UX designer, and I designed an app called Easy Fix from conception to delivery.
Responsibilities
Conduct interviews, paper and digital wireframing, low and high-fidelity prototyping, conducting usability studies, accounting for accessibility, and iterating on designs.
Design Process
Empathize
Define
Ideate
Prototype
Test
Understanding the User
User Research:
I conducted interviews and created empathy maps to understand the users’ needs. A primary user group identified through research was working adults who did not have time to take their cars to an unknown mechanic store.
This user group confirmed initial assumptions about Easy Fix users. Research also revealed that time was not the only factor limiting users from repairs or maintenance services. Other user problems included accessibility or confusion in similar apps about the visual design, which made it difficult to reach the correct mechanic.
Pain Points
Time
People are too busy to go to mechanic shops for quotes or services.
Accessibility
There are no platforms with our service and are not equipped with assistive technologies.
IA
On similar apps menus, icons representations are not easy to follow and are difficult to understand.
Personas
Julieta is a busy working adult who don’t have time to go to ask for a quote on a mechanic shop. She doesn’t have any knowledge on maintenance of a car and need to repair as soon as possible because she doesn’t have time to go shop by shop looking for a trusty mechanic.
Marco is a college student who works hard and don’t have time to repair or make maintenance on his car. Even though Marco has a wife and daugther the time is a serious problem if his car gets down.
User Journey
Mapping Julieta’s user journey revealed how helpful it would be for users to have access to an our Easy fix app.
Starting the Design
Paper Wireframe
Taking the time to draft iterations of each screen of the app on paper ensured that the elements that made it to digital wireframes would be well-suited to address user pain points. For the home screen, I prioritized a quick and easy ordering process to help users save time.
Digital Wireframe
As the initial design, this phase continues with some digital layout. I made sure to base screen designs on feedback and findings from user research.
Low Fidelity Prototype
The low-fidelity prototype connected the primary user flow of searching for a mechanic shop in the area; this prototype will use in a usability study with users
Refining the Design
Usability Studies
Early designs allowed for some customization, but after the usability studies, I added additional options with icons. I added more features and more dynamic choices to the menu.
Findings
- Users want better search section.
- Users want to include video support.
- Users want to include a map.
Findings
Final Design
Mockup
Going Forward
Impact
The app offers users a simple and convenient way to obtain a quote for their car's problem. Users can easily describe the issue with the help of photos or videos, providing a more accurate description of the mechanic problem. One user commented that the app was the best way to showcase car problems through media, making it simple to explain to the mechanic.
What I learned
While designing the Easy Fix app, I learned that the first ideas for the app are only the beginning of the process. Usability studies and peer feedback influenced each iteration of the app's designs.
Next Steps
Conduct another round of usability studies to validate whether the pain points users experienced have been effectively addressed.
Conduct more user research to improve the app in the areas users need.
In the future, improve the layout according to the new trends.