Brake
Brake is a parking app that allows users to park for street-side parking by the minute without worrying about over/underpaying the meter. Through a simple scan-in system, Brake can also map out the parking availability in a specified region and help drivers locate an open stall before arrival. Other features include time limit notifications and directions to the stall.
Role
Timeline
UX/UI Designer
Sept 2021 – Nov 2021
Tools
Teammates
Figma, Qualtrics
Elliot Starkman
Sonan Zhang
Grace Ann Stenger
Sole UX/UI Designer
Sole UX/UI Designer
Sole UX/UI Designer
As the sole UX/UI designer, I took initiative to define the problem, conduct user research, define goals, ideate the necessary features, develop wireframes, and design interactive interfaces. I utilized UX research methods such as user interviews, user personas and a sitemap to map out how my design could lead to success among consumers. My design process below.
Role Overview
The Problem
Challenge
Create a proficiency-focused app experience that facilitates language learning friendships for avid linguists to learn the most useful phrases, vocabulary, and slang from native speakers
I conducted user interviews with 7 individuals in order to understand the key necessary components of my app design. Upon gathering insight, I was able to answer my fundamental question:
How is achieving foreign language fluency in class
and with apps often ineffective?
The top 3 answers were —
In order to better empathize with the user, I created two user personas to guide my user-focused thinking for future design decisions.
The interviews confirmed my suspicions about the challenges of linguistic fluency, and I was able to come up with some key features that would alleviate the user pain points.
+ Profile and Chat Channels
Casual learning with native speakers
+ Popular Discussion threads in target language
Current events, blogs, memes
+ Partner Finding Filters
Security and safety measures
+ Calendar and Reminders
Set up chat times across time zones
+ Grammar correction tool
Optional feature to correct mistakes
The journey to achieving fluency in a foreign a language is neither seamless nor direct.
Language-learners face numerous challenges, including unfamiliarity with native slang, lack of real-life applicable vocabulary and phrases, and difficulty recognizing the fast or abbreviated speech of native speakers.
Many language-learning apps teach vocabulary and phrases by category – not frequency of use – leading to frustration when users aren't able to effectively communicate in their target languages after memorizing words such as "elbow" and "parrot".
User Research
Sitemap & Features
User Personas
Wireframes
Next, I created some mid-fidelity wireframes to map out the user flow and test the functionality of the features before jumping into UI design.
Branch - 360 product viewer test