Lisa Petrusky Frye | HCI Graduate Work

DePaul University, MS, HCI Program student work. Produced in Axure.

Uni-cycle Mobile and Smartwatch App

One tool, one resource, a centralized repository for finding backpacking cycling touring information.

Assignment

Choose a product concept and create a two-channel prototype demonstrating the use of UX Methodology and the process of Prototyping.

My Role

Team of three: I originated the naming and concept for implementing a cycling backpack touring app and smartwatch. I lead the team in competitive research and analysis, brainstorming, scenario storytelling, and wireframe sketches. I prepared the presentation layouts, content, and testing report for team member contribution. I produced the app and smartphone prototypes, designed the logo, style guide, and marketing materials. Other team members contributed content, interactions, review and video presentation.

Overview

After reviewing cycling touring websites and apps, I found that there was a need for a lightweight dedicated online tool that gave cycling backpacking hobbyist a central repository of information for viewing maps, terrain and elevation, weather, GPS, route and friend tracking, the ability to create, share and save a route, find camping, food, showers, bike shops, access to amenities, and emergency help. Most apps focused on recording fitness or solely finding a route.

Process

We built the interactive prototypes for two channels, mobile and smartwatch. The process began by determining a persona and creating a scenario, identify user needs and establish requirements, research competitors, strategize, brainstorm, sketch, conduct a team charrette, build wireframes, keep in mind design tenets and hierarchical lean content while implementing low, mid, hi prototypes, conduct user testing on task performance, analyze findings to better understand the user needs, validate interactions, and refine iterations.

Conclusion

Uni-cycle, one click access, eliminates searching various apps to find essential backpacking cycling touring information. It is a light-weight mobile app and smartwatch integration with a task-based interface enabling cyclists in the moment to select cycling routes, terrain and elevation, record activities, check the weather, track friends, connect with the cycling community, find a camping site, stay updated on trail conditions with one click.