SubNest
Platform
Mobile Application
Model
B2C
Category
Subscription
Year
2023
Project Background
As mobile usage continues to surpass desktop, tech companies have recognized the need to expand subscription management services to mobile platforms. This app aims to help users manage their subscriptions in a user-friendly and trustworthy way, enabling better budgeting and cost savings.
The Problem
Confronting the Mobile Challenge
The company who owned subscription management desktop app lacked a mobile solution, limiting user access and hindering potential market expansion as users increasingly preferred managing tasks on their mobile devices.
The Solution
Revolution with a Tailored App
An mobile app was developed that replicated the desktop's robust features with additional mobile-specific enhancements, providing users with comprehensive subscription management tools at their fingertips
Time Template of Project Plan
Competitor Analysis
Trackmysubs - Desktop
The app offers clear navigation and comprehensive features, but lacks visual consistency. Unattractive alert windows, unclear deletion options, and a cluttered homepage with too many auto-generated folders overwhelm new users.
Bobby - Mobile
The app’s clear functions and visual cues help with subscription management, but its simplistic design and limited features reduce appeal and credibility. It needs intelligent features, clearer notifications, and a design upgrade for better user experience.
Subscription Stopper - Mobile
The app is visually appealing and user-friendly, but the default notifications overwhelm, and the budget feature is too broad. Simplifying notifications, focusing the budget tool on subscriptions, and allowing subscription management without linking a bank account would improve it.
Primary Research
Surveys
How survey was conducted
Feedback from participants highlights a shared need for a subscription management app that offers simplicity, reliability, and effective integration. Common themes include the importance of accurate tracking, intuitive user interfaces, and data security, pointing to essential areas for improvement in app development.
What I learned from survey report
To meet evolving user expectations, the subscription management app should enhance service integration, improve data accuracy, streamline cancellation processes, and offer personalized recommendations for more economical service options. Additionally, introducing features like one-click cancellation, accurate notification, and robust data security will likely boost user satisfaction and adoption rates.
When users were asked about the top three major issues they encounter while using a subscription management app, the responses were Poor Management Function, Notification Failure, and Disorganized Data Display.
When users were asked about the top three features they would like to see improved in future subscription management apps, the responses were Data Accuracy, Easy Operation, and Customization.
Interviews
From our user survey, we chose five participants with experience in subscription management apps for detailed interviews to explore their experiences.
User Insights
The interviews validated survey responses about issues with subscription management apps. Participants emphasized the need for simplicity, reliability, accurate tracking, intuitive interfaces, and data security. Additionally, some novel ideas were proposed, such as providing personalized purchasing recommendations for users.
Affinity Mapping
After conducting interviews, I used affinity mapping to categorize insights from participants' notes onto stickers. These were then grouped into categories relevant to our project: User Interface and Experience, Spending Analysis and Recommendations, Integration and Data Issues, Notifications and Reminders, and Data Security and Privacy. This method helps in visualizing relationships between different insights and identifying key areas for improvement in the subscription management app.
Empathy Mapping
After complementing affinity mapping, an empathy maps was produced to deeply understand user emotions and needs.
MAP ONE: Focused on security concerns and the need for convenience, emphasizing a user-friendly interface that simplifies subscription management.
MAP TWO: Addressed concerns over financial security and manual management hassles, highlighting the need for a centralized system that aids in efficient financial organization and oversight.
User Flow Design
I designed a user flow based on insights from prior research synthesis, focusing on core features such as accurate subscription import, an editable homepage listing current subscriptions, detailed expense analysis, and personalized recommendations for cost-effective deals. The flow is structured to ensure ease of use and logical navigation, enhancing user experience by simplifying subscription management and financial oversight.
Low Fidelity Design - Wireframe
Developed from insights garnered through secondary and primary research, as well as established user flow processes, the low fidelity designs aim to visually encapsulate user needs and workflow efficiency in early-stage prototypes.
Style Guide & Moodboard
Typography Style
Enlarged page titles improve readability and emphasize key sections, creating a clear visual hierarchy for better user interaction.
Color Palette
Purple, magenta, and a black navigation bar were chosen for their tech-savvy, sophisticated vibe, reflecting order and calm while supporting a precise, structured user experience.
Icons
Simple, rounded icons are used to emphasize ease of use and clarity, supporting the app's goal of straightforward navigation and operation.
DM Sans Bold
AaBbCc
012345
DM Sans Medium
AaBbCc
012345
DM Sans Medium
AaBbCc
012345
DM Sans Reuglar
AaBbCc
012345
DM Sans Regular
AaBbCc
012345
High Fidelity Design
High fidelity design takes the conceptual foundation laid by low fidelity prototypes and enhances it with detailed, pixel-perfect visual elements aligned with the style guide, offering a complete view of all core functionalities and their interactive effects on the app.
Integrating Style and Function in High Fidelity Design
The high fidelity design builds on the low fidelity version and style guide, integrating core functions with refined interaction effects. The interface features a purple and pink gradient theme, with purple used for headers, navigation, buttons, and highlights. A light purple background ensures visual consistency across text displays.
Updates from the low fidelity design include
The homepage's subscription list now displays an annual version.
The expense report page has been redesigned with a horizontal, elongated display box that contains richer content.
The smart savings page now includes icons for subscription upgrade options, a best price postmark, and additional detailed information.
Usability Testing
Testing Approach Employed
Usability tests with five participants were conducted remotely, observing their interactions with the high-fidelity prototype and gathering feedback to identify areas for improvement.
Key Insights and Discoveries
Feedback showed that while the app was intuitive, features like notification settings and calendar displays needed streamlining. Participants also suggested clearer presentation for expense reports and smart saving pages.
Testing Approach Employed
Introduce a scroll wheel for setting notification days to replace the current dropdown option, enhancing clarity and ease of use.
Testing Approach Employed
Standardize iconography and switch button colors across all subscription details to maintain consistency and enhance visual appeal.
Testing Approach Employed
Replace the cluttered multiple colored dots with a single theme-colored dot to simplify and improve visual coherence.
Testing Approach Employed
Introduce a scroll wheel for setting notification days to replace the current dropdown option, enhancing clarity and ease of use.
Testing Approach Employed
Standardize iconography and switch button colors across all subscription details to maintain consistency and enhance visual appeal.
Results and Future Directions
Project Outcomes
We developed and tested a high-fidelity prototype of our subscription management app, achieving significant improvements in user engagement and efficiency. Usability tests showed that the app is both visually attractive and easy to use, with features like notification settings, subscription management, and spending analysis receiving high marks from users.
Improvement Strategies
Despite these achievements, our testing highlighted several opportunities for improvement. We plan to introduce a scroll wheel for setting notification times for better intuitiveness and aesthetics. We will also unify the visual design of all subscription details for greater consistency. Further, we’ll reformat the calendar and expense report layouts for better readability and organization. These updates will refine the app’s functionality and ensure it meets user needs effectively.
END
END
House 2 Home
Platform
Web Application
Model
B2C
Category
E-commerce
Year
2023
The Solution
Revolution with a Tailored App
An mobile app was developed that replicated the desktop's robust features with additional mobile-specific enhancements, providing users with comprehensive subscription management tools at their fingertips
Project Background
As mobile device usage overtakes desktops, a tech company with a successful desktop subscription management application saw a need to extend its offerings to mobile users. The app aims to manage subscriptions in a user-friendly and trustworthy manner, helping users save costs and budget effectively.
The Problem
Confronting the Mobile Challenge
The company who owned subscription management desktop app lacked a mobile solution, limiting user access and hindering potential market expansion as users increasingly preferred managing tasks on their mobile devices.
Time Template
Competitor Analysis
Trackmysubs - Desktop
The app offers clear navigation and comprehensive features, but lacks visual consistency. Unattractive alert windows, unclear deletion options, and a cluttered homepage with too many auto-generated folders overwhelm new users.
Bobby - Mobile
The app’s clear functions and visual cues help with subscription management, but its simplistic design and limited features reduce appeal and credibility. It needs intelligent features, clearer notifications, and a design upgrade for better user experience.
Subscription Stopper - Mobile
The app is visually appealing and user-friendly, but the default notifications overwhelm, and the budget feature is too broad. Simplifying notifications, focusing the budget tool on subscriptions, and allowing subscription management without linking a bank account would improve it.
Primary Research
Surveys
How survey was conducted
Feedback from participants highlights a shared need for a subscription management app that offers simplicity, reliability, and effective integration. Common themes include the importance of accurate tracking, intuitive user interfaces, and data security, pointing to essential areas for improvement in app development.
What I learned from survey report
To meet evolving user expectations, the subscription management app should enhance service integration, improve data accuracy, streamline cancellation processes, and offer personalized recommendations for more economical service options. Additionally, introducing features like one-click cancellation, accurate notification, and robust data security will likely boost user satisfaction and adoption rates.
When users were asked about the top three major issues they encounter while using a subscription management app, the responses were Poor Management Function, Notification Failure, and Disorganized Data Display.
When users were asked about the top three features they would like to see improved in future subscription management apps, the responses were Data Accuracy, Easy Operation, and Customization.
Interviews
From our user survey, we chose five participants with experience in subscription management apps for detailed interviews to explore their experiences.
User Insights
The interviews validated survey responses about issues with subscription management apps. Participants emphasized the need for simplicity, reliability, accurate tracking, intuitive interfaces, and data security. Additionally, some novel ideas were proposed, such as providing personalized purchasing recommendations for users.
Empathy Mapping
After complementing affinity mapping, an empathy maps was produced to deeply understand user emotions and needs.
MAP ONE: Focused on security concerns and the need for convenience, emphasizing a user-friendly interface that simplifies subscription management.
MAP TWO: Addressed concerns over financial security and manual management hassles, highlighting the need for a centralized system that aids in efficient financial organization and oversight.
Affinity Mapping
After conducting interviews, I used affinity mapping to categorize insights from participants' notes onto stickers. These were then grouped into categories relevant to our project: User Interface and Experience, Spending Analysis and Recommendations, Integration and Data Issues, Notifications and Reminders, and Data Security and Privacy. This method helps in visualizing relationships between different insights and identifying key areas for improvement in the subscription management app.
Empathy Mapping
After complementing affinity mapping, an empathy maps was produced to deeply understand user emotions and needs.
MAP ONE: Focused on security concerns and the need for convenience, emphasizing a user-friendly interface that simplifies subscription management.
MAP TWO: Addressed concerns over financial security and manual management hassles, highlighting the need for a centralized system that aids in efficient financial organization and oversight.
User Flow Design
I designed a user flow based on insights from prior research synthesis, focusing on core features such as accurate subscription import, an editable homepage listing current subscriptions, detailed expense analysis, and personalized recommendations for cost-effective deals. The flow is structured to ensure ease of use and logical navigation, enhancing user experience by simplifying subscription management and financial oversight.
Low Fidelity Design - Wireframe
Developed from insights garnered through secondary and primary research, as well as established user flow processes, the low fidelity designs aim to visually encapsulate user needs and workflow efficiency in early-stage prototypes.
Home Page - Edit, Sort, Notification
The homepage displays a list of active and cancelled subscriptions, allowing users to directly edit, remove, pause, or modify details. Users can also sort subscriptions and customize notifications and information for each one from the homepage.
Login and Settings Pages
The login page offers a straightforward authentication process, while the settings page provides customizable options for user preferences.
Link and Import Pages
Users can import subscriptions with one click by connecting their bank account or manually upload a bank statement.
Deals Page
The deals page offers users discounted purchasing options and package deals for their current subscriptions, along with a selection of alternative and trending subscriptions available for purchase.
Calendar Management Page
The calendar interface allows users to view subscription renew dates in a calendar mode, enabling better management.
Expense Report Pages
These pages displays a comprehensive analysis of the current month's subscription expenses, categorized and compared by type of expenditure.
Style Guide & Moodboard
Typography Style
Enlarged page titles improve readability and emphasize key sections, creating a clear visual hierarchy for better user interaction.
Color Palette
Purple, magenta, and a black navigation bar were chosen for their tech-savvy, sophisticated vibe, reflecting order and calm while supporting a precise, structured user experience.
Icons
Simple, rounded icons are used to emphasize ease of use and clarity, supporting the app's goal of straightforward navigation and operation.
DM Sans Bold
AaBbCc
012345
DM Sans Medium
AaBbCc
012345
DM Sans Medium
AaBbCc
012345
DM Sans Reuglar
AaBbCc
012345
DM Sans Regular
AaBbCc
012345
High Fidelity Design
High fidelity design takes the conceptual foundation laid by low fidelity prototypes and enhances it with detailed, pixel-perfect visual elements aligned with the style guide, offering a complete view of all core functionalities and their interactive effects on the app.
Integrating Style and Function in High Fidelity Design
The high fidelity design builds on the low fidelity version and style guide, integrating core functions with refined interaction effects. The interface features a purple and pink gradient theme, with purple used for headers, navigation, buttons, and highlights. A light purple background ensures visual consistency across text displays.
Updates from the low fidelity design include
The homepage's subscription list now displays an annual version.
The expense report page has been redesigned with a horizontal, elongated display box that contains richer content.
The smart savings page now includes icons for subscription upgrade options, a best price postmark, and additional detailed information.
Results and Future Directions
Project Outcomes
We developed and tested a high-fidelity prototype of our subscription management app, achieving significant improvements in user engagement and efficiency. Usability tests showed that the app is both visually attractive and easy to use, with features like notification settings, subscription management, and spending analysis receiving high marks from users.
Improvement Strategies
Despite these achievements, our testing highlighted several opportunities for improvement. We plan to introduce a scroll wheel for setting notification times for better intuitiveness and aesthetics. We will also unify the visual design of all subscription details for greater consistency. Further, we’ll reformat the calendar and expense report layouts for better readability and organization. These updates will refine the app’s functionality and ensure it meets user needs effectively.
END
END
Usability Testing
Testing Approach Employed
Usability tests with five participants were conducted remotely, observing their interactions with the high-fidelity prototype and gathering feedback to identify areas for improvement.
Key Insights and Discoveries
Feedback showed that while the app was intuitive, features like notification settings and calendar displays needed streamlining. Participants also suggested clearer presentation for expense reports and smart saving pages.
Testing Approach Employed
Introduce a scroll wheel for setting notification days to replace the current dropdown option, enhancing clarity and ease of use.
Testing Approach Employed
Standardize iconography and switch button colors across all subscription details to maintain consistency and enhance visual appeal.
Testing Approach Employed
Replace the cluttered multiple colored dots with a single theme-colored dot to simplify and improve visual coherence.
Testing Approach Employed
Introduce a scroll wheel for setting notification days to replace the current dropdown option, enhancing clarity and ease of use.
Testing Approach Employed
Standardize iconography and switch button colors across all subscription details to maintain consistency and enhance visual appeal.