The Urban Warrior Martial Arts Academy is a fictional, multi-method martial arts school in a bustling metropolitan area.
Our mission is to make martial arts accessible to everyone and provide an engaging experience for our students. Transparency is essential to us, and we strive to provide up-front information to empower individuals looking to transform their lives through body-mind balance and discipline.
Our target audience consists of individuals seeking personal growth and positive life changes through martial arts practice.
Create a user-centric digital platform for informed decision-making and convenient class management for martial arts students.
In order to better understand my users, I conducted interviews with five individuals. The group included two adults who have never practiced martial arts, two adults who currently practice or have taken classes in the past, and one parent with a child who currently practices martial arts.
After analyzing the data, I determined that the primary user group consists of prospective students who want to make informed decisions when choosing a martial arts class. The study confirmed my initial assumptions and also revealed new contributing factors.
The research indicated that some students require more information on the various types of martial arts available in their area and are hesitant to participate in classes with unfamiliar people. Parents expressed concerns about the safety and well-being of their children in a new learning environment.
I have a full-time job, so I miss out on spending time with my little sister after school. I want to find something fun and enriching for her to do during that time.
AGE 24 // BA Biology // Phila. PA // horticulturalist
Iriss is the legal guardian of her younger sister, Rōz, and they reside in a cozy apartment in Philadelphia. Iriss strives to be an exemplary role model for her sister, who has a passion for sports but quit playing lacrosse in school due to feeling inadequate.
Iriss believes that martial arts could be a perfect outlet for Rōz’s energy and creativity, as well as a great way for her to spend time outside the house while Iriss is at work. However, Iriss wants to ensure that the martial arts school is safe and of high quality before enrolling her sister. She also wants to find the right instructor who can connect with her sister. Iriss is looking for a way to vet the martial arts school without having to make a phone call to the studio or go in person.
I'm looking for a fun and creative physical activity that will help me take my mind off work and enjoy some quality time with my wife.
AGE 61 // Juris Doctor // Phila. PA // Lawyer
Kat, a dedicated lawyer, devotes long hours to her work within the confines of her office. Anticipating the end of each day, she eagerly awaits the opportunity to be reunited with her beloved wife. As they both seek to explore a fresh shared pastime, Kat contemplates proposing martial arts. She believes that engaging in this practice together would not only allow them to immerse themselves in something new but also offer a platform for mutual accomplishment and growth.
I performed a competitive analysis to pinpoint the advantages and disadvantages of my rivals in El Paso, TX, consisting of three direct and one indirect competitor. I conducted extensive comparative research on various factors that impacted my strategic goals and decision-making process. Ultimately, I identified five key components that guided my project.
✖ Visible Pricing
✔ Student Login
✖ Visible Schedule✔ Style Variety
✔ Remote Option
✖ Visible Pricing
✖ Student Login
✖ Visible Schedule✖ Style Variety
✖ Remote Option
✖ Visible Pricing
✖ Student Login
✔ Visible Schedule
✔ Style Variety
✖ Remote Option
✔ Visible Pricing
✔ Student Login
✔ Visible Schedule
✔ Style Variety
✔ Remote Option
Based on the results of my competitive audit, several key findings emerged. Firstly, my competitors generally demonstrated a lack of transparent pricing. This highlights my emphasis on providing clarity to my customers.
Secondly, I observed that student login functionalities were missing among my competitors, not permitting students to access personalized accounts and track their progress easily. Additionally, my competitors underplayed the importance of a visible class schedule, enabling students to conveniently plan their training.
Furthermore, my analysis highlighted that most competitors boasted diverse martial arts styles, catering to a broad spectrum of interests and preferences. Lastly, while my competitors primarily offered in-person training options, the availability of a remote option was an area where I identified a potential opportunity for differentiation. These findings provide valuable insights that will guide my strategic decisions moving forward, enabling me to capitalize on my strengths and address areas for improvement.
Martial arts students need an accessible, comprehensive overview of available martial arts schools in their area to save time by avoiding going to the school in person to get more information. Students also want a convenient way of scheduling classes for in-person or remote classes.
I created paper wireframes to plan the digital versions of my ideas. I created a set of priorities and made a point to highlight those things in my wireframes.
I prioritized instructors and scheduling on the home screen to make booking easier for customers.
I created a basic prototype using the digital wireframes I had made. The goal was to simplify the process of scheduling classes, so the prototype was perfect for a simple usability test. My intention was to gain useful feedback and insights on the system's ease of use.
I conducted two usability studies to refine the design process and enhance user experience. The studies helped guide the design from wireframes to high-fidelity prototypes, identifying areas that needed further refinement. I continually optimized the design with a user-centered approach.
While my early designs had a scheduling page that provided ample information about each class, the usability study inspired me to create a separate button that led to an instructor’s bio page so students could quickly learn more about their instructors before taking a class with them.
Missing back button.
Opportunity for
more information.
Added stylized
back button.
Added link to
the sensei bio.
After conducting a second usability study, it was discovered that some users had difficulty reading the original stylized font I had chosen. To address this, I updated the font to something more legible while still preserving the graffiti-inspired aesthetic of the original font.
Font was difficult to read
Changed the font
to make it easier to read,
while keeping the same aesthetic
After finishing the second round of high-fidelity mockups, I identified several next steps for the project. One of them was to give the entire app a visual overhaul. They looked amateurish and uninspiring, and I wasn’t happy with them. However, I knew I wanted to keep the “urban” theme I had originally envisioned. Additionally, I had intended for the app to have a darker theme, and the colors in the first design didn’t match that. Therefore, I started working on improving the designs.
The ultimate high-fidelity prototype showcased a captivating and informative process for scheduling a class.
“Sweet, they let you schedule online. That’s my favorite thing to do because I hate talking to people. You can attend virtually too? That's awesome.”
Create an interactive "My Account" page and include stats, awards, and challenges.
Follow up with another usability study to identify any new pain points.
Conduct a usability study with only users with disabilities that would force them to interact with the app in alternative ways to spot any pain points regarding accessibility.