Smoove
Inclusivity, simplicity, user control
Smoove
Inclusivity, simplicity, user control
Team
1 Other Product Designer
Role
Product Designer
Timeline
Apr 8 - 9 2024
Designathon
OVERVIEW
Introduction
"Smoove" is a mobile application platform developed to address the accessibility and inclusion gaps in traditional entertainment platforms for individuals with intellectual disabilities. With a focus on image-centric design, customizable preferences, and inclusive features, Smoove aims to provide an enriching and accessible entertainment experience for all users.
Problem
Traditional entertainment platforms often lack accessibility features and accommodations for individuals with intellectual disabilities. These users may struggle with processing complex language, understanding subtle plot nuances, or navigating overwhelming content. Additionally, certain scenes or themes in movies and TV shows can be triggering for individuals with sensory sensitivities or emotional vulnerabilities.
Background Research
People with disabilities are a significant and diverse portion of the global population (1.3 billion) and many enjoy watching films just like anyone else. These includes the intellectually disabled which are often overlooked
There is an existing gap in the market because there are no well-designed products that cater to the intellectually disabled
Why is this important?
Connection to society: Films and TV series are an excellent way to connect this typically marginalized group to society and culture.
Give individuals an escape: Allow individuals to escape from their daily routines.
SOLUTION
The Solution
"Smoove" is a user-friendly mobile app that prioritizes inclusivity, simplicity, and user control. Our design approach focuses on using images over text, providing subtitles and content warnings, incorporating breaks for relaxation, and allowing users to customize their viewing experience based on their preferences and sensitivities.
RESEARCH
Pain Points
Based on online research, we discovered user pain points.
1
Pain point 1
Difficulty understanding complex plots and specific scenes to varying degrees
2
Pain point 2
Unexpected graphic scenes can trigger discomfort or distress to varying degrees
3
Pain point 3
Process to find next TV series or movie to watch is very overwhelming and confusing
User Persona
To capture our research findings, we created a user persona.
Bio and Frustrations
Spectrum of intellectually disabled is diverse, but in general they require more time to understand concepts and have shorter attention span than the average person
Benefit from alternative methods of learning such as visual aids and simplified language
Have trouble with emotional regulation: individuals with intellectual disabilities may benefit from more frequent breaks when watching movies for several reasons:
Attention span: Some individuals with intellectual disabilities may have shorter attention spans, making it challenging to focus on films for extended periods without breaks.
Processing time: They may require additional time to process information presented in the movie, which can be mentally taxing and necessitate breaks to prevent fatigue.
Emotional regulation: Certain scenes or content in movies may evoke strong emotions or sensory overload. Users may get distressed and also start mimicking the actions they see on the screen
Goals
Simple way to find movie or TV series the user like
User follows the plot and understands what is going on
Avoid scenes that cause discomfort or other triggers
User Journey
Based on online research, we discovered user pain points.
Trying phase
Friction phase
Mild level
intellectual disability
Severe level
intellectual disability
Extreme level
intellectual disability
tries to find a film/movie and finds one
encounters a scene that causes great discomfort, stops watching
tries to find a film/movie and finds one
current apps are too overwhelming, they give up before even picking a film
tries to find a movie/film they want to watch
does not understand the film
DESIGN
Wireframes
With a focus on accessibility, we created features that ameliorates user pain points and exceeds their goals.
Unique Features
Onboarding and home screen with a survey on what genres or content the user is sensitive to.
Visual supports such as picture schedules or visual prompts to prepare individuals for the viewing experience and help them understand the sequence of events in the film.
Breaks and flexibility which allows for breaks during the viewing session to accommodate individual needs and preferences. Offers opportunities for individuals to take a break, stretch, or engage in calming activities..
SOLUTION
Smoove
"Smoove" is a user-friendly mobile app that prioritizes inclusivity, simplicity, and user control. Our design approach focuses on using images over text, providing subtitles and content warnings, incorporating breaks for relaxation, and allowing users to customize their viewing experience based on their preferences and sensitivities.
View Prototype
TAKEAWAYS
Future Improvements
Due to time constraints of a designation, we were unable to conduct user interviews and usability tests. We hope to back up our product scientifically with further research. We also want to make our features more personalized. For example, adding a color controller or additional features that targets individual concerns.
Reflection
This is my second designathon but my first time prototyping. I enjoyed thinking about each interaction that would improve the user experience. I became more experienced with Figma and the different features I could utilize. Below are a few specific takeaways.
✨ You are not the user
I began this project thinking of myself as an everyday user-- I like simple designs that is intuitive without features of big learning curves. Through my user research and design iterations, however, I realized
✨ Finding support from other designers
I am very grateful to have a teammate who is more experienced and guided me throughout this designathon. I learned a lot from her, such as using plugins, conducting research to understand the user, and creating a pitch that effectively showcases the problem and our solution.
✨ Product design isn’t only design
In my previous designathon, I focused on UI design. In this designathon, I learned the importance of UX in product design. Without user research, we are unable to empathize with the user and thus lack targeting features that solves a problem.
San Francisco, CA